ZAGREB, March 22, 2018 - The government on Thursday adopted an interpretive statement alongside a bill on the ratification of the Istanbul Convention which says the aim of the Convention is protection of women from all forms of violence, that its provisions do not contain the obligation to introduce gender ideology in Croatia's legal and educational system, and that the Convention is in line with constitutional provisions, notably on protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

"The Republic of Croatia believes the goal of the Convention is the protection of women from all forms of violence and the prevention, prosecution and elimination of violence against women and domestic violence," the interpretive statement says, adding that "Croatia believes the Convention's provisions do not contain the obligation to introduce gender ideology in Croatia's legal and education system nor the obligation to change the constitutional definition of marriage."

The statement says "Croatia believes the Convention is in line with the provisions of (its) Constitution..., notably provisions on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms," and that "it will apply the Convention by taking into consideration said provisions, and the principles and values of (Croatia's) constitutional order."

The interpretive statement says its purpose is to exactly define and explain the meaning and scope of the Convention or some of its provisions. With this statement, "Croatia is putting forward an interpretation of the goal of the Convention, which is the protection of women from all forms of violence and the prevention, prosecution and elimination of violence against women and domestic violence. Such an interpretation confirms that the Convention, for example, does not have as a goal the recognition of a third sex or changing the constitutional definition of marriage." Read more via Total Croatia News