Human Rights House Zagreb expressed deep concern with the defamation, stigmatization and hostility campaign carried out by the state officials against human rights civil society organizations emphasizing that human rights civil society organizations are vital actors in a democratic society whose work strives for the full fulfilment of universally established human rights and fundamental freedoms. Human Rights House Zagreb strongly condemned Government’s crackdown on civil society organizations and freedom of association, circumvention of a social dialogue, and expressed great concern with the Government’s abuse of power for the sake of retaliation against human rights groups vocally critical of its policies. Finally, Human Rights House Zagreb called for the immediate cessation of the negative public portrayals, smear campaigns, and stigmatizations of human rights defenders and organizations; and the hostile attempts to disintegrate the civil society sector.
