International Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Reviews Croatia

10 July 2002

On March 19, 2002, the International Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) adopted concluding observations and recommendations concerning the compliance of Croatia with the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Regarding Romani education in Croatia, the Committee expressed "concern at the continued practice of segregation of Roma children within the educational system and the reports on discrimination against the Roma regarding access to employment, health, political representation and citizenship rights." The concerns were followed by several recommendations in which the committee urged that the Croatian "State party pay particular attention to the situation of the Roma and take effective measures to prevent racial segregation against Roma children within the educational system. The Committee further recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to address the high dropout and poor performance rates of Roma children and guarantee non-discrimination, especially as regards respect for their cultural identity, language and values. The Committee also encourages the State party to reinforce its efforts to train and recruit Roma teachers and to prevent discrimination against the Roma in access to employment, health, political representation and citizenship rights." The Full text of the Committee's concluding observations and recommendations. 

(ERRC)