Following the entry into force of the Anti-Discrimination Act in Croatia as of 1 January 2009, the Office of the Croatian People’s Ombudsman has officially taken up the mandate of central equality body and has become an effective Member of EQUINET-European Network of Equality Bodies.

To mark this double event, the Office of the Croatian People’s Ombudsman will organise a launching conference on 26 January 2009 in Zagreb, with the support and cooperation of the UNDP Mission to Zagreb. EQUINET – European Network of Equality Bodies (Anne Gaspard, Executive Director) will contribute to the event as one of the speakers of the conference.

EQUINET warmly welcomes the Office of the Ombudsman as a new member within its European network and wishes to see the newly established Croatian equality body make a significant contribution to improving standards of equality and non-discrimination in the European framework.