The head of Croatia's leading rights group has been left red-faced after his trousers fell down during a photo shoot with president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.

Ivan Zvonimir Cicak, who heads the Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, was proudly posing in the front row for a photo with the president when his trousers suddenly dropped to his ankles.

Luckily Ms Grabar-Kitarovic was holding a large award in her hands which slightly helped preserve Mr Cicak's dignity.

She did not appear to react, remaining calm despite a brief glance downwards as he stooped to pull them back up.

The award was presented to Mr Cicak and the committee for their work ahead of international Human Rights Day which is marked on December 10.

AFP