Controversy Over Use of ‘Baby Hatch’ in Croatia

The news in Croatian

1. ostaviti
   Napustiti ili ostaviti nekoga ili nešto na nekom mjestu. ↩︎
2. kriminalan
   Povezano s kršenjem zakona ili zločinom. ↩︎
3. djelo  (n.)
   Radnja ili djelovanje koje je učinjeno; čin. ↩︎
4. institucija  (f.)
   Ustanove koje obavljaju javne ili važne funkcije u društvu. ↩︎
5. legalan
   Koji je u skladu s zakonom, dozvoljen zakonima. ↩︎
6. okvir  (m.)
   Struktura koja daje oblik ili granice nečemu. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What did Minister Marin Piletić say about leaving a baby in the ‘window of life’?

Question 2: Are ‘windows of life’ legal in Croatia according to the summary?

Vocabulary

Croatian	English
ostaviti	leave
kriminalan	criminal
djelo  (n.)	deed
institucija  (f.)	institution
legalan	legal
okvir  (m.)	framework

Read the full story

The recent abandonment of an infant in a ‘window of life’ in Zagreb has stirred a significant public debate in Croatia. The case was brought to light on Tuesday when Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Marin Piletić, underscored that the child is now receiving all necessary care. However, he also highlighted that abandoning a child constitutes a criminal offence under Croatian law.

Minister Piletić emphasised that parents wishing to remain anonymous can instead entrust their children to state institutions, which can provide protection and necessary care. “The child is healthy and properly cared for, akin to any child without adequate parental care,” he stated, alluding to the current procedures in place for such situations.

In response to criticisms that these ‘windows of life’ may be beneficial as they prevent children from being left in unsafe environments, Minister Piletić clarified that the service provided by Betlehem Association in offering these ‘windows’ is unauthorised and illegal. He noted, “Such actions constitute a criminal act and are not part of any recognised social service.” An inspection in June had deemed such services unacceptable, mandating the closure of the window, a decision Betlehem has since neglected, complicating the legal context further.

Tanja Žaja, acting director of the Family Directorate, elaborated on the legal implications, stating that the state ensures available legal frameworks for children to be left safely in care. The absence of anonymous processes reflects the legal responsibilities that accompany parenthood.

Meanwhile, the Association ‘U ime obitelji’ contends that the incident reveals gaps in legal structures concerning mothers and newborns. They urge for legislative amendments to establish protected environments for anonymous childbirth, thereby safeguarding vulnerable mothers and infants.

The Croatian government currently provides a structured process for parents unable to care for their children. This system offers comprehensive support through the Croatian Institute for Social Work and other community service centres, underlining legal methods for relinquishing parental rights while safeguarding the child’s identity and connections.

The incident thus highlights ongoing tensions between legal regulations and societal needs concerning child welfare, anonymity, and parental rights in Croatia. It raises questions about the balance between protecting children’s rights and addressing the practical needs of parents seeking anonymity under pressing circumstances. The debate continues as authorities strive to find a resolution that upholds the nation’s commitment to international conventions on child rights.

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