Freedom of Association
During the reporting period, several actions took place, led by labour unions, initiative groups, and associations. In addition, civil society issued a number of statements asserting positions on environmental and educational issues in the country.
In January 2025, Croatian consumers initiated a week-long boycott targeting major retailers and supermarket chains, as well as products such as Coca-Cola, bottled water and dish detergent. The boycott was led by a platform called Hello, Inspector and was organised in response to rising food prices and inflation. It aimed to pressure retailers and financial institutions to address these issues.
Students at the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences held their first plenary session in five years, following concerns over administrative decisions. Key issues included proposed tuition increases, the introduction of fees for repeating the final year, and the relocation of facilities for students with disabilities. The plenary unanimously decided to veto any proposals for tuition fees if presented at the upcoming Faculty Council meeting.
Novi Sindikat Union urged the Croatian government to resolve unpaid wages to workers from bankrupt, state-owned companies. Former employees of Šibenska Revija and Plobest have waited over 20 years for between nine to 25 unpaid salaries. The Union proposed legislation for full compensation and a system to protect workers in similar cases.
Civil society issues statements on pressing issues
On 10th February 2025, the CSO Gong called for transparency and fairness in Croatia's vocational education reform. The organisation criticised the lack of clear information on the implementation of modular teaching and the reduction of foreign language hours, allegedly due to lobbying by certain subject teachers. Gong urged the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth to actively involve all stakeholders in the reform process and ensure that changes are made in the best interest of students.
In addition, Gong warned the State Election Commission about alleged voter pressure in nursing homes during the presidential elections, which took place on 29th December 2024. In Slavonski Brod, staff circulated a list of residents’ names and urged them to sign it as proof of their vote. Gong stressed that such action violates voters’ rights and urged a thorough investigation, highlighting the seriousness of exploiting vulnerable people during elections.
On 24th February 2025, the CSO Zelena Akcija (Green Action) issued a statement demanding stronger enforcement against illegal waste practices in Croatia, clean-up of polluted sites, and protection for environmental activists. They criticised state inaction, which enables ongoing environmental crimes.
Freedom of Peaceful Assembly
Protests took place in Croatia throughout the reporting period, with a focus on environmental issues, cost of living, and labour rights.
On 13th December 2024, thousands of retirees rallied across the country to demand higher pensions amid frustrations with economic stagnation. The peaceful protests signified a notable shift in public mobilisation, with older citizens making their voices heard in policy debates.
On 14th December 2024, educators in Zagreb organised a protest to demand higher wages and improved working conditions. They expressed dissatisfaction with the government's proposed wage reforms. Union leaders argued that the proposed changes failed to address long-standing issues, such as inadequate salary coefficients and the undervaluation of educational staff.
On 23rd December 2024, following a tragic stabbing at Prečko Elementary School in Zagreb, thousands of citizens marched to demand enhanced safety measures in Croatian schools. The incident, which resulted in the death of a seven-year-old student and injuries to several others, prompted widespread concern. Organised by three teachers’ unions and supported by over 50 organisations, the march commenced at the Teachers’ House and traversed central Zagreb.
On 30th December 2024, residents of Srb village in Croatia protested against the construction of a small hydroelectric plant near the source of the Una River, an environmentally protected area. The project faced immediate opposition from locals and environmental groups concerned about ecological damage. The Croatian State Inspectorate responded by stopping the work and fining the investor for unauthorised activities.
In January 2025, several surgeons at Čakovec General Hospital in Croatia resigned in protest against political interference in healthcare. Their resignations followed the appointment of a new director, who they viewed as politically driven and lacking in transparency. The move sparked public protests, with citizens and medical staff demanding depoliticised healthcare and protection of professional integrity.
On 28th January 2025, students from the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek protested outside the rectorate building, expressing frustration over the reinstatement of a professor accused of inappropriate and violent behaviour. Their demonstration was supported by fellow students from academies in Zagreb, Split and Rijeka.
In February 2025, students and citizens in Zagreb, Split and Osijek organised synchronised gatherings to express solidarity with Serbian students protesting authoritarianism and corruption. This act of support coincided with the three-month anniversary of mass protests in Serbia, which were sparked by a tragic incident in Novi Sad. The Croatian demonstrators aimed to highlight concerns about democratic backsliding in the region and urged European institutions to address the situation in Serbia.
On 1st March 2025, pensioners in Zagreb, under the “Pensioners Together” bloc, protested against poverty, corruption and crime. They demanded the dissolution of the government and called for early elections. The protest highlighted their dissatisfaction with unfulfilled promises to increase pensions as well as concerns over systemic corruption.
Environmental concerns spark citizen action
During the period under review, residents of Poznanovec protested against the illegal accumulation of plastic waste at the former INKOP factory site. The protest, supported by local officials, highlighted health concerns, including increased cancer rates among young residents. Authorities announced plans to allocate €150,000 for waste removal and are working with the Ministry of Environment to establish a €5 million fund to address similar environmental issues nationwide.
In addition, approximately 500 citizens of Zadar gathered to protest the environmental degradation caused by nearby construction projects. The protest was organised in response to soil contamination affecting the local stream and concerns over the structural integrity of adjacent buildings. Participants expressed their opposition to the rapid urban development and the loss of green spaces, emphasising the need to preserve Vruljica park as a vital natural area. A petition was circulated during the event to rally support for the cause.
On 24th February 2025, Zelena Akcija (Green Action) held a protest in Opatija during an international gas industry conference, sending a clear message that the fossil fuel industry continues to deceive the public by presenting gas as a clean fuel—a claim they describe as a falsehood. Croatia is becoming increasingly dependent on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, which is mostly extracted through fracking—a method known for its severe environmental and health consequences. The gas is transported through American terminals, often located near communities experiencing high cancer rates, before reaching wealthy European markets via Croatia.
Freedom of Expression
In its report entitled “Croatia – Indicators on the level of media freedom and journalists safety index 2023”, SafeJournalists highlighted several critical issues affecting journalists' safety and media freedom. The report was published in December 2024.
The report found that despite the introduction of new protocols and agreements aimed at enhancing protection, the absence of specialised investigative units for media-related crimes hampers effective prosecution. Investigations into attacks on journalists remain slow and often lack transparency, leading to a prevailing sense of impunity. The report also notes a decline in the Journalists’ Safety Index for Croatia – 2023, indicating a deterioration in the overall safety environment for journalists. Additionally, there is concern over proposed changes to the Criminal Code that could undermine the protection of sources. The report calls for urgent reforms to strengthen legal safeguards, improve institutional responses, and ensure a safer working environment for journalists in Croatia.
Concerns over study on foreign interference in media
On 15th January 2025, Gong called on the State Election Commission and the Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries to investigate the origins of a controversial study alleging Russian interference in the Croatian presidential election. The study, conducted by the UK-based Centre for Information Resilience, claimed that a network of pro-Russian bots and media outlets had supported President Zoran Milanović's campaign. However, Gong and other experts found significant flaws in the study, including inconsistent data and unsubstantiated claims.