Croatian UN Ambassador Šimonović Appointed to Human Rights Committee

The news in Croatian

1. pozvati
   Zvati nekoga da dođe ili sudjeluje. ↩︎
2. uloga (f.)
   Funkcija ili mjesto koje netko ima ili preuzima. ↩︎
3. odbor (m.)
   Grupa ljudi izabrana ili imenovana za obavljanje nekih zadataka ili poslova. ↩︎
4. potez (m.)
   Radnja ili čin koji ima određeni smjer ili svrhu. ↩︎
5. poznat
   Netko ili nešto što je široko prepoznato ili slavno. ↩︎
6. ljudski
   Ono što pripada čovjeku ili se odnosi na ljude. ↩︎

Translation

Text Comprehension

Question: Who is Ivan Šimonović replaced as the UN Ambassador for Croatia?

Question: Why is Ivan Šimonović’s new position important for Croatia?

Vocabulary

Croatian	English
pozvati	call
uloga (f.)	role
odbor (m.)	committee
potez (m.)	move
poznat	known
ljudski	human

Read the full story

President Zoran Milanović signed the recall order, which will take effect on 28 February. This timing suggests that one of Šimonović’s final duties as ambassador will likely involve representing Croatia during a UN session concerning Ukraine.

The decision to transition Šimonović comes at a notable time in Croatian politics, as it marks a rare instance of agreement between President Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. Over the past five years, the two leaders have often been at odds, with their disagreements shaping much of Croatia’s diplomatic decisions. This alignment on Šimonović’s reassignment has been viewed by some commentators as a potential turning point for Croatian politics, hinting at a broader reconciliation.

Despite the predominantly positive reception surrounding Šimonović’s new role, questions have been raised by independent parliamentary representative Marija Selak Raspudić. She publicized her concerns on social media, questioning whether the Croatian public was adequately informed about such significant diplomatic changes, especially during these uncertain times.

Prior to his role as ambassador, Šimonović held various significant positions, including Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights at the UN from 2010 to 2016 and Minister of Justice in Croatia. His new position on the Human Rights Committee will begin on 1 March and is seen as a testament to his longstanding dedication and contribution to human rights initiatives.

The UN Human Rights Committee comprises 18 experts tasked with overseeing the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Members like Šimonović are chosen for their expertise and represent a diversity of geographical regions. His appointment is considered a significant achievement for Croatian diplomacy, acknowledging both his professional acumen and the country’s influence in international human rights discourse.

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