Croatia

Croatia did not meet its targets for clearance or land release output in 2023 and in March 2024 submitted a revised work plan to 2026. Croatia should still be able to meet this deadline, although the amount of land cleared without any mines being found increased from 2022 and fewer anti-personnel (AP) mines were found per square metre, indicating a possible need for better survey and targeting of clearance.

Croatia has achieved significant progress in mine clearance over the past five years. However, challenges remain regarding survey and especially the need for more precise targeting of clearance. While annual land release targets have largely been met, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of these operations is crucial. With continued improvements in these areas, Croatia should be able to meet its Article 5 clearance deadline of March 2026.

• The Croatian Mine Action Centre (CROMAC) should conduct survey of suspected hazardous areas (SHAs) and review the basis on which confirmed hazardous areas (CHAs) are established. In particular, it should use survey to confirm evidence of mines before embarking on full clearance.
• CROMAC should increase its survey capacity to meet the targets in its 2024 Revised Work Plan.
• CROMAC should fulfil the pledge in Croatia’s 2018 extension request to explore the potential for mine detection dogs (MDDs) to enhance technical survey efficiency. The 2015 demining law, which only allows MDDs to be used in clearance and not for survey, should be amended.

Click here to download the "Clearing the Mines 2024" report for Croatia.