At the invitation of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and some other opposition MPs, US activist Judith Reisman and British journalist Timothy Tate spoke in the Croatian parliament on Thursday about challenges to introducing sex education in Croatian schools, which was assessed as a major ideological issue about which a dialogue should be launched, focussing on the rights and interests of children.
The talk attracted huge media interest and opposition MPs spent over two hours in discussion with Reisman. The discussion was also attended by representatives of the Church, nongovernmental organisations, the head of the Croatian Helsinki Committee on Human Rights and recently fired HTV reporter Karolina Vidovic Kristo whose show was taken off the air after she showed excerpts of a film about Albert Kinsey.
Education Minister Zeljko Jovanovic or anyone from his ministry however did not attend the meeting.
Reisman reiterated her stance that sex education is founded on sexual ideology and if introduced in schools, Croatia could soon be faced with an increase in underaged pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases amongst minors and so on.
Tate explained the introduction of sexual education in schools in the context of the global trend of sexualisation of children which he said was backed by business and money.
HDZ MPs expressed their disapproval of the introduction of sexual education in schools as this was an ideological question, claiming that it was being introduced into the school system without any prior public debate.
Before Reisman began her speech, HDZ MP Davor Stier apologised for the unfortunate reception she had been given during her stay in Croatia when she was confronted by "an intolerant Croatia that does not respect diverse opinions".
