Croatia watchdog criticises president over ‘gay minister’ remarks
- ‘100 per cent. Habijan is gay, right?’ President Zoran Milanovic told reporters, referring to Economy Minister Damir Habijan
- Croatia’s ombudswoman for gender equality warned President Zoran Milanovic that ‘sexual orientation is in the domain of one’s privacy’
A Croatian watchdog on Monday criticised the country’s president over his remarks about a minister’s alleged sexual orientation, warning they violated the right to privacy.
President Zoran Milanovic was criticised by the ruling HDZ conservative party as well as the opposition, independent media and many in the public after he said last week that Economy Minister Damir Habijan was gay.
“100 per cent. Habijan is gay, right?” Milanovic told reporters.
The minister “is not in the closet, the man lives a normal life”, he said.
Croatia’s ombudswoman for gender equality warned on Monday that “sexual orientation is in the domain of one’s privacy and its possible public declaration is decided solely by the person concerned.”
Those holding public functions should display greater social responsibility, ombudswoman Visnja Ljubicic said in a statement.