Ombudswoman Lora Vidović, together with her deputies Tena Šimonović Einwalter and Jagoda Novak, met Ms Uzra Zeya, USA Assistant Secretary of State on 24th October 2013 at the Sheraton hotel premises in Zagreb.

The meeting, initiated by the USA diplomatic mission in Croatia, was aimed at exchanging views on current human rights situation in Croatia and the role of ombudspersons, with special reference to the position of LGBT population in the context of the initiative for organising a referendum on the constitutional definition of marriage as an exclusive union of a man and a woman. Furthermore, the status of Roma ethnic minority in Croatia was also discussed as well as options for future assistance that the USA Embassy might provide in this respect.

In conclusion, Ms Zeya expressed her support and commended the effort on behalf of key national human rights institutions in their struggle to improve the implementation of human rights standards and thus fully accomplish their mission in the society.