Croatian social welfare oversight finds failures in Slatina and Zadar cases

An extraordinary administrative oversight by the Croatian Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy has identified significant failures in the social welfare system regarding two tragic cases: a femicide in Slatina and the severe injury of a three-year-old boy in a fire in Zadar.

In the Slatina case, inspectors found a lack of urgency in responding to the perpetrator, as well as failures in implementing family and legal protection measures. The oversight noted that the perpetrator and the victim were incorrectly treated as equals in parental care, and there was a lack of inter-agency cooperation and field monitoring.

In the Zadar case, the oversight concluded that the principle of the best interests of the child was not respected. Although protective measures were repeatedly issued, they were ineffective. A critical delay was noted where a measure issued in January was not implemented until June, despite high developmental risks being identified. Inspectors stated that stricter measures, such as the urgent removal of the child from the family, should have been taken much sooner.

Minister Alen Ružić has announced that responsibility will be established and that those found to have failed in their duties will be sanctioned. The Ministry has also issued new instructions to all regional offices to improve victim protection and ensure timely responses.