Committee of Ministers Conseil De L Europe Secretariat Du Comite Des Ministres

COMMITTEE SECRETARIAT GENERAL OF MINISTERS COMITÉ DES MINISTRES SECRETARIAT OF THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS CONSEIL DE L EUROPE SECRETARIAT DU COMITE DES MINISTRES

Contact: Anna Austin Tel: 03 88 41 22 29

Date: 07/04/2014 DH-DD(2014)455

Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers.

Meeting: 1201 meeting (3-5 June 2014) (DH)

Item reference: Updated action plan (19/11/2013)

Communication from Croatia concerning the case of Orsus and others against Croatia (Application No. 15766/03)

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Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

Réunion : 1201 réunion (3-5 juin 2014) (DH)

Référence du point : Plan d'action mis à jour

Communication de la Croatie concernant l’affaire Orsus et autres contre Croatie (requête n° 15766/03) (anglais uniquement). DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

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SERVICE DE L’EXECUTION DES ARRETS DF LACEDH ACTION PLAN - FOLLOW UP CASE TITLE: Orsus and others v. Croatia APPLICATION NO.: 15766/03 GRAND CHAMBER JUDGMENT OF 16/03/2010 JUDGMENT FINAL ON 16/03/2010

Croatian authorities continue to further develop and implement measures aimed at addressing specific issues raised in the abovementioned GC judgment, as presented in previously delivered Action Reports: DD(2010)581E, DH-DD(2011 )53, DH- DD(2011 )544E, DH-DD(2011 )544addE.

This Action plan - follow up provides detailed information on further developments in the implementation of general measures aimed at abolishing Roma-only classes, overcoming difficulties stemming from lack o f knowledge of Croatian language among Roma pupils, and addressing the issue o f poor-school attendance and high drop-out rates among Roma pupils in elementary schools. These measures are also expected to create prerequisites for an intensive inclusion o f Roma into the community, and sensitize majority population for the rights o f Roma national minority in Croatia.

GENERAL MEASURES

1. MEASURES AIMED AT RESOLVING THE PROBLEM OF POOR COMMAND OF CROATIAN LANGUAGE AMONGST ROMA CHILDREN

Roma pupils make for 15.73% o f all pupils attending primary schools in Medimurjc (which is the highest percentage in comparison to other regions of Croatia). Namely, in 2011/2012 school year, 1.954 pupils o f Roma origin were enrolled in 22 primary schools o f Medimurjc County.

In accordance with Articles 16 and 17 of the Act on Upbringing and Education in Primary and Secondary School, pupils are enrolled in elementary schools on the basis o f their place o f residence. Since Roma tend to live together in their settlements, the number o f Roma pupils is higher in schools closer to these settlements.

Roma children are majority pupils in 4 principal schools (podrucne skole): in Kursanec (69,56% Roma pupils enrolled), in Macinec (68.58% Roma pupils enrolled), in Pribislavec (58,92% Roma pupils enrolled) and in Orehovica (50,34% Roma pupils enrolled), and in district school o f Drzimurec-Strelec (91% Roma pupils).

Accordingly, in certain schools Roma only classes cannot be avoided, sim ply because the majority o f children enrolled in the school are o f Roma origin.

However, after the GC judgm ent in this case, Roma-only classes are no longer formed as means to deal with poor command o f Croatian language amongst Roma pupils. This issue is now dealt with by the implementation o f measures aimed at overcoming the language barrier and allowing the children to follow full curriculum and finish their primary education. These measures are comprehensive and include programs for DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

kindergartners and pre-school children, as well as special programs for pupils in elementary schools.

a. Kindergarten and pre-school programs (with special focus on participation of Roma children)

In 2013, Croatian Parliament enacted Amendments to the Law on Pre-school Education and Upbringing (Official Gazette no. 94/2013). By these amendments, attendance o f pre-school program ( predskola) became mandatory for all children in the year prior to their enrollment in first grade. For children who attend kindergarten (v rlic ), the pre-school program is incorporated in regular kindergarten program.

Both these programs are also available for Roma children, with the aim of preparing them for school, and improving their social and language skills, if needed.

Kindergarten programs (vrlic, predskolski odgoj) are intended for children under the age of 7. Activities in kindergarten are aimed primarily at improving social skills, hygiene etc., in a way suitable for that age. As o f 2013, kindergarten also incorporates pre-school program.

Over the past two school-years about 400 Roma children were included into kindergarten programs in more than 30 kindergartens throughout Croatia (during 2012/2013 school year, 455 Roma children were enrolled in kindergartens throughout Croatia).

In Medimurjc count)'kindergarten programs for Roma children are conducted in 14 kindergartens, and recent attendance rates are shown below:

School-vcar period Number of children 1. 2011/2012 204 2. 2012/2013 86

After kindergarten, in the year prior to their enrolment in schools (on average at the age o f 7), Roma children are enrolled into pre-school programs (predskola). The program is designed to prepare children for elementary school by assisting them in acquiring school-work habits, improving their social skills, and improving their command o f Croatian language, so they are able to learn and actively participate in classes.

Preschool is a daily program which lasts for 5,5 hours during the period o f 9 months1. Children attending preschool are provided with free transportation to and from school, and two meals a day. Preschool for children o f Medimurjc County was organized in 6 elementary schools, and attendance rates amongst Roma children are as follows: School-year period Number of children

1. 2011/2012 191 2. 2012/2013 209

1 as long as the school year (Septcmbcr-Junc) DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

It should be noted that in the 2012/2013 school year, almost all Roma preschoolers of Medimurjc County were included in pre-school programs.

By comparing the data from attendance rate tables for kindergarten and preschool, it may be observed that kindergartners regularly continue to the preschool program. The Government deems that these figures demonstrate the success o f a systemic approach to the issue, and effectiveness o f this execution measure.

As for financial aspectso f kindergarten and preschool programs, it should be noted that the Government of the Republic of Croatia, through its Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, continuously utilizes considerable funds for financing kindergarten and pre-school programs for Roma children, as well as co-financing the parental share of costs. In 2012 the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports allocated 1.929.108,00 kuna (about 250.000.00 EUR) for pre-school and kindergarten programs and co-financing o f parental shares o f costs. As there were no contributions from the Roma Education Fund in 2012, the entire cost of pre-school education programs for Roma children was borne by the state.

b. Primary education of Roma children (in Medimurjc County )2

a) Croatian language lessons for Roma pupils

In accordance with Article 43 § 1 o f the Act on Upbringing and Education in Primary and Secondary School, schools are obliged to provide special assistance to children who do not speak Croatian language or do not speak it well enough3. This prgram o f assistance is equally available to children who have attended kindergarten and pre school programs, and to those who have not (including children who did not live in Croatia prior to enrollment in elementary school).

For these pupils, Croatian language lessons are organized through two programs:

1. preparatory classes(pripremim nastava) of Croatian language (intensive program o f 70 hours during a single school-year, which includes monitoring of individual progress o f every pupil4);

2. additional classes(dopunska nastava) of Croatian language (program which lasts 2-3 hours a week, aimed at providing assistance to pupils in acquiring language competences necessary for following the class curriculum, even alter they have attended preparatory classes o f Croatian language)5.

Number of pupils included in abovementioned programs in schools of Medimurjc County in 2011/2012 school yearis shown in the table below:

" unless expressly stated, presented data refers to 2011/2012 school year, as statistics for 2012/2013 school year have yet to be fu lly processed ' Not only Roma, but all who do not speak Croatian (well enough) 1 It is expected that one-year o f intensive language lessons is enough to ensure a solid basis for follow ing classes. However, if it is determined that a pupil has not attained satisfactory command o f Croatian language after taking preparatory classes, he/she may be obliged to attend preparatory classes one more time (for another 70 hours) 5 Remedial classes are organized in other subjects (e.g. math, biology, etc.) as well in order to provide all children the assistance in mastering the curriculum, if needed DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

LEARNING CROATIAN LANGUAGE Additional No. o f Preparatory Regular Principal Total no. of classes o f Rom a No. Roma % classes additional school/district school pupils Croatian T o tal pupils pupils (point 1. classes o f (point 2. % above) Croatian above)

I. 1. OS* Cakovee 663 5 0,75 0 0 0 0 0.00

2. II. OS Cakovee 371 2 0,54 0 0 0 0 0,00

3. I I I . O S C akovee 419 1 0,24 0 0 0 0 0.00

4. OS Ivanovee 238 8 3.36 0 0 8 8 100,00

5. O S KurSanec 450 313 69,56 0 87 0 87 27,80 C O O C akovee (school specialized for children 172 77 44,77 0 0 0 0 6. with disabilities) 0.00 OS V. Nazora, 7. 314 185 59,92 52 0 83 135 Pribislavec 72,97 OS dr. Vinka 8. 142 1 0,70 0 0 1 1 40,00 Zganca. VratiSinec O S Belica 9. 207 1 0,48 0 0 0 0 0,00

OS Donja Dubrava 199 10 5,03 10. 0 0 0 0 0,00 PS** Donji Vidovec 60 4 6.67 0 0 0 0 0,00 O S Hodosan 164 5 3,05 0 0 2 2 40,00 II. PS Palinovec 25 2 9,00 0 0 2 2 100,00 O S G oriôan 12. 217 8 3.69 0 0 8 8 100.00 OS To ma Sa Goriêanca, Mala 357 63 17,65 2 0 18 20 31,75 13. Subotica PS D r: ini urec-Strelec 149 136 91,28 10 0 136 1 3 6 *** 100.00

OS Orehovica**** 296 149 50,34 0 56 26 92 55,03 14. P§ Podbrcst 24 2 9 J 3 0 0 0 2 100,00

OS Mursko Srediscc 413 99 23,73 0 0 0 0 0,00 15. 12,50 PS Hlapiôina 24 3 0 0 0 0 0,00

16. 0§ Nedeliscc 476 2 0.42 0 0 0 0 0.00 OS dr. Ivana Novaka, 17. 459 316 69,95 80 0 120 200 63,29 Macinec

OS Podturen 227 51 22,47 0 0 51 51 100,00 18. PS Novakovec 34 4 11,76 0 0 0 0 0.00

19. OS Strigova 174 2 1.15 0 0 0 0 0.00

OS DomaSinec 244 35 14,34 0 0 0 0 0,00 20. PS Turcisce 19 2 10,53 0 0 0 0 0.00 21. OS Kotoriba 307 109 35,50 0 0 108 108 99,08

22. OS Strahoninec 325 2 0.62 0 0 2 2 100,00

TOTAL 7.169 1.59622,26 144 145 565 854 53,51

••PS: District school (podrncnn skola) •••P u p ils included in both preparatory and additional classes o f Croatian arc not shown twice in the sum. • • • • In the Orehovica elementary school, 56 pupils arc included in extra-curricular activities aimed at improving the level o f knowledge o f Croatian, and are shown in the sums for additional leraning o f Croatian language. DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

In the 2012/2013 school year, 681 Roma pupils enrolled in elementary schools throughout Croatia have been provided with some form of assistance in learning Croatian language. In Medimurjc County special assistance in learning Croatian language has been conducted for 537 pupils (170 of which were enrolled in the first grade).

Data for Medimurjc County for school year 2012/2013 is presented in the table below:

LEARNING CROATIAN LANGUAGE Extended Additional No. o f Regular Principal Total no. of stay classes o f No. Roma % additional school/district school pupils program (5 Croatian To ta l pupils classes o f hours a (point 2. Croatian day) above)

1. OS Mursko SrediSce 425 99 23.29 53 0 99 99

P§ Hlapicina 19 3 15,79 0 0 0 3

PS Peklenica 74 1 1,35 0 0 1 1 OS Joze Horvata, 34,85 2. Kotoriba 307 107 32 0 107 107 OS dr. lvana Novaka, 75,06 3. M acinec 417 313 80 0 313 313 O S TomaSa Goricanca, Mala 375 68 18,13 78 0 68 68 4. Subotica

P§ DrÈimurec-Strelec 147 141 95,92 0 111 0 141

5. O S O reho vica 274 156 56,93 44 62 156 156

OS V. Nazora, 60,73 Pribislavcc 6. 303 184 0 31 184 184

7. OS Podturen 217 50 23,04 0 26 24 50 PS Novakovec 34 4 1 1,76 0 0 0 4 OS KurSanec 72,97 8. 455 332 0 65 332 332

9. COO Cakovee 178 87 48,88 0 0 87 87 TOTAL 3.225 1.545 47,91 287 295 1.371 1.545

As can be noted from data presented on pre-school education and upbringing programs (see above, point a.), pupils enrolled in l'1 - 3rd grade have attended such programs prior to enrollment in school. By attending pre-school programs, majority o f children have attained a satisfactory level of command o f Croatian language. However, those who have not acquired adequate command of Croatian language in pre-school programs attend additional classes o f Croatian language.

Besides being included in state-level programs for learning Croatian, pupils can take part in special programs designed by the schools themselves, with the aim of improving language competences and social skills o f pupils. For example, a special program called “Try to do i f (“Pokusaj to uciniti”) is conducted in Mursko Sredisce Elementary School. One of the goals of the program is learning Croatian and providing additional assistance to pupils in mastering courses. 55 pupils are included DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

in the program, 53 o f which are o f Roma nationality (15 o f which arc first graders). The project shall last for 18 months.

In elementary schools: Joze Horvata in Kotoriba (32 Roma pupils), Tomasa Goricanca in Mala Subotica (74 Roma pupils) and Ivana Novaka in Macinec (90 Roma pupils), a program o f extended stay is organized as o f 4 October 2013. The program is intended for pupils o f r'-3 rd grade, and is aimed at improving their language competences and social skills through various activities. The funds are secured through an I PA project.

A program called: “ Roko Wheel that Connects People” (“ Roko Kotac koji povezuje Ijitd e 'j is conducted in Podturen elementary school. The program consists of 140 hours o f learning Croatian language throughout the school year, providing assistance to pupils in doing homework, and activities aimed at developing social nad creative skills. 26 pupils o f l sl-4Ul grade are included in the program.

Kursanec elementary school continued its cooperation with the Teacher Training College, through which students-volunteers assist pupils in doing homework and studying. Through the realization o f the program, pupils are taught Croatian language. The volunteers also come to the Roma settlement and work with pupils outside school.

It should be emphasized that pupils attending either of the two programs of assistance in learning Croatian language also attend all regular classes, and are being taught a full curriculum.

As regards the curriculum followed in teaching Croatian through the aforementioned programs, the Ministry o f Science, Education and Sports has enacted a Regulation on the Implementation of Preparatory and Additional Croatian Language Classes for Pupils who do not speak Croatian or Have Insufficient Command o f Croatian, and on Mother-tongue Classes and Culture o f the Country o f Origin Classes'". The Regulation was published in Official Gazette no. 15/12013, and its relevant provisions entered into force on 6 February 2013.

The Regulation prescribes:

a) the means o f conducting the program for learning Croatian language and testing the knowledge o f students who have the right to an education in Croatia but who do not know Croatian (well enough)

b) acquiring the knowledge of a mother-tongue and culture o f the country of origin o f pupils' whose family member is an EU citizen employed or self- employed on Croatian territory.

According to the Regulation, the level o f knowledge o f Croatian language is tested at enrollment. The assessment is conducted by way of standardized written and oral exam, developed and prepared by the National Center for External Evaluation of Education ( Nacionalni centar za vanjsko vrednovanje obrazovanja; hereinafter: the National Center).

'' Pravilnik o provodenju priprcmne i dopunske nastave za uôenike koji ne znaju ili nedosiatno poznaju hrvatski jczik i nastave matcrinskog jezika i kulture drzave podt ijetla uCenika DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

In June 2013, the National Center conducted a pilot-test with 280 children (of which 99 children of pre-school age who do not speak Croatian well-enough for school- enrollment, 112 first-graders who do not speak Croatian well enough to follow the curriculum, and a control group of 69 pre-schoolers who speak Croatian). The National Center conducted a psychometric analysis, and is now preparing a final version o f the test, to be applied at enrollment in school year 2014/2015.

b) Daily extended stay program

Extended stay ( produzeni boravak) is a program conducted in primary schools throughout Croatia. After the end o f a school day, the pupils may remain at school and are granted assistance in homework or studying, and they socialize with other pupils.

In 2012/2013 school year, extended stay was organized in 3 schools o f Medimurjc County. The program lasts from 7 up to 9.5 months, and 227 Roma pupils were included in the program.

This program allows for further inclusion of Roma pupils into school environment, and provides them with the necessary assistance in studying and homework. It is a useful tool for raising awareness on the importance o f regular school-attendance and advantages o f education, as well as in assisting pupils in mastering the curriculum.

In Medimurjc County, the program is co-financed by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports and The Mcdimurje County.

2. MEASURES AIMED AT IMPROVING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND REDUCING DROP-OUT RATES OF ROMA PUPILS

Croatian authorities are continuously taking measures aimed at addressing the issue o f poor school attendance and high drop-out rates among Roma pupils. These measures are based on close cooperation o f schools and social welfare and fam ily care institutions. They regularly require the involvement of parents, thus affecting the development of their positive attitude towards schooling and education of their children.

■ Individual and joint parent-teacher meetings of relevant authorities with parents

Elementary schools of Medimurjc County and Cakovee Social Welfare Center (Centar za socijalnu skrb Cakovee) organize joint parent-teacher meetings (zajednicki roditeljski sastanci) in order to discuss general issues related to preparation of children for each school day (e.g. doing homework, maintaining hygiene, parental responsibilities regarding children's education, consequences o f not meeting those responsibilities, the importance o f education etc.). Meetings are attended by parents, teachers and representatives o f the Social Welfare Center.

The aim of these meetings is to improve the cooperation between schools and parents, raise the interest o f parents on their child's education, as well as to raise awareness o f parents on the importance o f education. The increase o f parental DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

initiative in contacting the school (regarding child’s grades and attendance etc.) is clear evidence o f the benefits achieved in organizing such meentings.

For the past three years, joint meetings are also organized for parents o f children o f pre-school age who did not attend any pre-school program. In 2012/2013 school year, 12 such meetings were held in 5 elementary schools o f Medimurjc County, and Roma Family Center in Kursanec. 179 parents attended the meetings. The purpose o f these meetings was to acquaint parents with basic needs o f pupils, responsible parenting, and importance o f cooperation o f parents with the school and protective measures which may be applied in absence o f adequate parenting. Education o f parents o f preschoolers has yielded significant progress in upbringing and education o f Roma pupils.

Individual parent-teacher meetings (pojedinacni sastanci s roditeljima) are organized in order to address particular issues encountered w ith regard to an individual child (e.g. irregular school attendance, problems in the learning process, behavioral problems etc.).

At individual meetings, both the parents and a child are invited to talk openly with the representatives of schools and the Social Welfare Center, in order to find an acceptable solution of the problem. If necessary, depending on the results achieved, the Social Welfare Center can issue a written warning to the parents and a child, pointing to particular consequences (i.e. application o f child protection measures as prescribed by law) if the parents and a child do not take appropriate action in order to resolve the problem (e.g. if a child continues with irregular school attendance etc.).

■ Little creative socialization groups

This is a form o f cooperation between the schools and the Cakovee Social Welfare Center is aimed at providing assistance to children exposed to factors likely to lead to behavioral problems (various problems within the family, as detected by the Social Welfare Center in cooperation with the school).

The program has been organized every school year since 2010. and continues to this day.

Workshops conducted in this program are aimed at lowering the risks of behavioral problems and dropping-out o f school through strengthening the child's self-esteem, encouraging quality communication, learning social-skills, but also raising awareness o f parents and their active involvement in children’s problems, improving parents’ communication skills, as well as sensitizing teachers to children’s problems.

Workshops are held 4 times a month, and parents are included in the group once a month (or more often, if necessary). DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

■ Workshops for parents

During each school-year the Cakovee Social Welfare Center organizes workshops for parents of Roma and non-Roma7 pupils and pre-schoolers in 5 Roma settlements.

During these workshops, parents arc acquainted with the necessity o f cooperating with relevant authorities regarding the inclusion o f children into pre-school and primary education systems.

Parents of pre-school children have been invited and encouraged to work on developing work and hygiene habits of children, and improving their Croatian language skills in order to facilitate educational prosperity and lower the risks of failing classes or dropping-out.

■ Joint activities of the Cakovee Social Welfare CenterCentar ( za socijalnu skrh Cakovee), Family Center of Varazdin County Obiteljski ( centar Varazdinske zupanije) and the Cakovee Police Department Policijska( uprava Medimurska)

During 2011 and 2012, abovementioned authorities organized a series o f round tables, workshops and school meetings for both parents and children aimed at addressing specific issues determined to be amongst the causes o f poor school attendance and high drop-out rates o f Roma pupils in Medimurje.

Some o f the themes discussed during the round tables, workshops and meetings are: ‘"School: responsibility of parents or children?”, “Trafficking in human beings”, “ Economic violence”, "Violence toward women” etc.

■ Cooperation with civil society

Both the schools and the Cakovee Social Welfare Center cooperate with civil society organizations in conducting programs aimed at addressing characteristic issues regarding the education o f Roma children.

Teachers of Orehovica, Mala Subotica and Macinec elementary schools were included in a program conducted by an N G O “ Step by step” . Main activities of the said NGO include: promoting the rights of children and their families to a dignified life, through inter alia, encouraging and supporting educational policies aimed at equal opportunities and access to a free and mandatory education o f good quality; working with parents, teachers and educators in order to improve interculturalism, multiculturalism. inclusion and developing standards and practical changes leading to a better life for both children and adults.

Teachers who took part in the program emphasized its high positive impact on the quality o f their work, as well as quality o f their cooperation with the parents.

However, only in Macinec Elementary school parents o f non-Roma children attended the workshops DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

■ Statistical data on dropping-out

Despite o f being included in additional classes (dopunska nastava) in certain subjects and/or Croatian language learning programs, as well as other programs aimed at their inclusion in school environment, certain pupils have not successfully mastered the curriculum and were not able to advance to higher classes8.

However, the number o f Roma pupils in Medimurjc County who were held back is in lines with general statistics on state level.

It should also be noted that majority o f pupils included into Croatian language learning programs and/or additional classes in certain subjects have managed to advance to the next grade (i.e. the number of Roma pupils who were held back is significantly lesser than the number o f Roma pupils included in said programs and additional classes). This clearly points to the fact that efforts made by Croatian authorities in the execution of the ECtHR judgment are already yielding positive results.

However, not all children (regardless o f their origin) succeed in finishing their primary education.As the Government had already presented to the CM. primary school education in Croatia is obligatory until a child reaches the age o f 15.

Those who were unable to finish their primary education by that age may still attend primary school or may choose to continue their education outside the national primary school education system (or they may choose to discontinue their education altogether, without the possibility of state intervention into such a decision).

The possibility o f continuing primary education voluntarily, either in the national education system or in public colleges is existent, and. moreover, strongly encouraged. Thus, 311 Roma over the age o f 15 have been included in adult education through the program Decade of Literacy - for Croatian Literacy 2003-2012. The state had provided 700.000,00 kuna (about 90.000,00 EUR) for the purpose o f conducting the program.

The Government deems that the number of Roma children aged 15 or older who have discontinued their primary school education, compared to the total number of Roma pupils enrolled in primary schools of Medimurjc County shows no negative trend as regards the dropping-out frequency.

Statistical information regarding repeating classes/dropping out of Roma children in Medimurjc County in the 2011/2012 school-year9is shown in the table below:

11 Pupils failing only one course are allowed to advance to higher classes, in accordance with Article 78 o f the Act on Upbringing and Education in Primary and Secondary School. 9 statistical information for 2012/2013 is still being processed DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

No. of Roma pupils Dropped out at the age of 15 or repeating first grade older No. of students No. Principal school/district school who attended pre 1. school prior to Repeaters O th ers enrollment in 1st grade 1. OS Ivanovec 0 0 0 0 2.OS KurSanec 2 1 13 6

3. COO Cakovee 0 0 1 2 4. OS V. Nazora, Pribislavec 1 0 9 1 OS T. Goricanca. Mala 0 0 5 0 5. Subotica DS Drziinurec-Strelec 15 15 6. OS Orehovica 2 2 1 1 7. OS Mursko SrediSce 0 0 1 0 OS dr. Ivana Novaka, 1 1 17 12 8. Macinec

9. OS Podturen 1 1 2 0

10. OS DomaSincc 1 0 0 (1 11. 0§ Kotoriba 7 5 2 0

TOTAL 30 25 51 22

3. MEASURES AIMED AT OVERALL IMPROVEMENT OF ROMA CONDITIONS IN MEDIMURJE10

Croatian authorities are determined to ensure that Roma children may exercise their right to an education. These efforts require coordinated inter-institutional action, but their success largely depends on participation o f Roma fam ilies and comm unity, in the best interest o f their children.

Activities o f Croatian authorities are based on the involvement of schools and social welfare centers, but also other national institutions.

Schools monitor regular attendance o f pupils, and inform both the parents and the Cakovee Social Welfare Center on lengthy unjustified absence o f any pupil.

In cases o f unjustified absence from school, the school authorities contact the parents of the child who is missing class, inform them of the problem and request their involvement in making sure the child attends school regularly.

If no solution is found through the contact between schools and parents, and the child continues to miss school, the school authorities then inform the Social Welfare Center.

Social Welfare Centers can take certain protective measures within the family, as prescribed by the Family Law (i.e. issuing a warning to the parents, ordering supervision o f parental care, issuing recommendations, and in more serious cases even institution of court proceedings for deprivation o f parental rights and placement o f a child into foster care). Protective measures can also be applied for reasons other than

10 Inextricably linked to raising awareness on the importance o f education and inclusion of Roma DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

irregular school attendance (i.e. if a child has behavioral problems, if a child commits a criminal offence, if a child is prone to violent behavior).

During 2011/2012 school year,the schools filed 112 reports" to the Social Welfare Center in Cakovee regarding unjustified absence o f Roma pupils’ from school, and 95 reports related to other issues (behavioral problems, neglect, etc.). During 2012/2013 school year, 65such reports were tiled.

Upon receiving a report, the Cakovee Social Welfare Center held individual meetings w ith the parents o f the child concerned. In m ajority o f cases, these meetings were sufficient to prevent reoccurrence o f unjustified absence.

However, in eases where no results were achieved through the described cooperation with parents, the Cakovee Social Welfare Center used means and measures prescribed by the Family Law for ensuring the protection of children.

During 2011. the Cakovee Social Welfare Center issued 33 warnings ( upozorenje) to Roma parents, ordered supervision o f parental care (nadzor nad roditdjskom skrhi) in 11 cases, decided on placement of a child into a home for upbringing ( smjestaj u odgojmi ustanovu) in 4 cases, decided on child's placement in foster care (smjestaj n udamUeljsku obitelj) in 4 cases, and instituted proceedings for deprivation o f parental rights (lisenje roditeljskogprava) before the competent court in 1 case (in 2011).

During 2012, the Cakovee Social Welfare Center issued 28 warnings to Roma parents, ordered supervision o f parental care in 14 cases, decided on placing a child into a home for upbringing in 3 cases, decided on placement o f a child into foster care in 3 cases, and instituted 5 proceedings before the competent court for deprivation of parental rights.

During 2013 the Cakovee Social Welfare Center issued 23 warnings to parents, and in 22 cases in 22 cases o f repetitive reports o f unjustified absence, it ordered supervision o f parental care for a period o f one year.

Additionally, the Varazdin County Family Center (acting on behalf of the newly founded, yet non-functioning Medimurjc County Family Center) admitted 11 Roma beneficiaries (families or individuals) into individual counseling.

A ll institutions are continuously making efforts aimed at raising awareness o f Roma population on the importance o f education and regular school attendance.

■ Roma Family Center in Kursanec

The Ministry of Sea, Tourism, Traffic and Development together with the City of Cakovee, and in cooperation with the Council of Roma National Minority of Medimurjc County12 founded the Roma Family Center in Kursanec in 2011. Since

11 in certain cases, multiple reports regarding the same child were filed within the same year 12 Non-profitable legal entity through which the participation o f national minorities in the public life and management o f local affairs is ensured (Article 7 p. 9) o f the Constitutional Law on the Rights o f National Minorities (“Official Gazette“ no. 155/02. 47/10. 80/10 and 91/11) DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

then, the Roma Family Center in Kursanec organizes various activities aimed at inclusion o f Roma into society.

Various national authorities such as the Cakovee Social Welfare Center, Varazdin County Family Center ( Obiteljski centar Varazdinske zupanije), Medimurjc Police Department (Policijska uprava Meâimurska), Cakovee Employment Agency ( Hrvatski zavod za zaposljavanje, Podrucna sluzba u Cakovcu) and Public Health Institute of Medimurjc County (Zavod zajavnu zdravstvo Medimurske zupanije) conduct various educational activities (workshops, lectures, forums) in the Roma Family Center. These activities are aimed at providing Roma population of Medimurjc County with the necessary information on education, employment, combating crime, family life and obligations stemming therefrom, and other identified causes linked to poor school attendance and high drop-out rates among Roma population in Medimurjc.

Activities held at the Roma Family Center in Kursanec cover 4 main areas:

1. Schooling and education (workshops: “How to study - helping children with schoolwork", "A child at school", "Adult education', “Preparing for adult education", “Lifelong learning" and a lecture: “ Group counseling for parents and pupils with regard to enrollment in high school") 2. Family life (workshops: “ Family violence and violence towards children ', “ Violence among peers", "Protecting children from perilous behavior", "The Joy o f Parenthood', "Family - the basis o f a child's safety", "Rights and obligations - Family law") 3. Health care (workshops: "Caring for mothers and newborns", "Food Hygiene - prevention o f food poisoning", "Personal Hygiene", "Tuberculosis - s till a significant illness", "Proper usage o f antibiotics and other medicine", etc. 4. Employment (workshops: "Preparing fo r employment", "How to compose a CV and an application", "Preparing fo r employment o f Roma women') and a lecture (informing on the labor market situation) 5. Preventing criminal behavior (workshops: “ Family violence and violence towards children”, "Protecting children and minors from criminal behavior", "Peace and wellbeing - regulations on the usage o f pyrotechnics", etc.).

Even though all the activities described above were organized in cooperation with the Roma community, and were widely advertised, some o f the workshops and lectures could not be held, since no one attended(e.g. "How to study - helping children with schoolwork", "Rights and obligations - Family law” , "Protecting children and minors from criminal behavior", "Family - the basis o f a child 's safety", "Caring fo r mothers and newborns").

However, it should be noted that the workshops and lectures attended by at least one person were held. During 2011 and 2012, a total o f 130 persons attended certain workshops and lectures.

■ Additional activities of the Cakovee Social Welfare Center

At the beginning o f the 2012/2013 school year, the Cakovee Social Welfare Center organized a lecture in Kursanec called: "Rights and obligations o f parents". The DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

lecture was aimed at acquainting parents with the necessity of attending school regularly, doing homework etc. However, none o f the parents showed up13.

■ Additional activities of the Cakovee Police Department

Medimurjc County Police Department developed a wide cooperation with both national institutions and non-government organizations, with the aim o f improving the relations between the police and the Roma population, and preventing socially unacceptable behavior.

To that end, the Medimurjc Police Department identified the following measures, which are implemented continously:

1. Setting up the Info Center o f the Police with the Roma Family Center in Kursanec (Policijski informalivni cenlar), 2. Encouraging employment of Roma in the police, 3. Additional training o f police officers with particular regard to police action in hate- crimes committed against Roma, 4. Preventive action "Less guns, less tragedies” (“ Manje oruzja. manje tragedija"), conducted in Roma settlements in cooperation with the UNDP 5. Publishing and distribution of posters and booklets in both Roma and Croatian languages regarding human rights and non-violence (all in cooperation with the Roma minority and NGO’s dedicated to human rights protection) 6. Taking part in joint activities with other national/local stakeholders aimed at improving living conditions o f Roma in Medimurjc.

■ Additional activities of the Public Health Institute of Medimurjc County

In addition to activities taken as part of the programs conducted in Roma Family Center in Kursanec, during 2012 the Public Health Institute of Medimurjc County conducted additional activities designed for specific needs o f Roma population.

Department for School Medicine held various lectures, workshops and panels in Medimurje County Schools. The topics covered were adapted to pupil's needs and age, and interest o f parents, e.g. “Healthy diet and its effect on growth and development” , “ Puberty and menstrual hygiene” , “ Reproductive health - relations between the sexes and family planning” , "Sexually transmitted diseases” , “ Reducing the number of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies” , “ Behavioral disorders and emotional difficulties” , “ Socially accepted addictions - smoking and alcohol", etc.

In schools attended predominantly by Roma pupils, experts from the Institute held lectures for parents covering the topics o f developing hygiene habits, healthy diet and prevention o f infectious diseases.

The Institute has also developed a good cooperation with civil society organizations (“ Osmjeh” and “ Zora ” ) conducting programs aimed at prevention of STD's (sexually transmitted disease).

13 li was later determined that no one came because they all went to a nearby lake where a drowned person was found. DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

A ll these activities are aimed at improving the health o f Roma population, and they shall be conducted continuously.

■ Additional activities of the Cakovee Employment Office

With the aim of increasing the employment of Roma, all registered unemployed persons o f Roma origin are included in the activities of the Employment Office, both general and those aimed precisely at Roma population.

The Cakovee Employment Office conducts various workshops aimed at assisting unemployed Roma persons in dealing with primary causes of their difficulties in finding jobs (e.g. inadequate education, lack of any work experience, long-term unemployment, etc.).

The main goals o f these workshops are improving the knowledge and skills o f active employment seeking, and help the unemployed in managing the labor market. Workshops particularly designed for Roma population cover three main topics:

■ motivation for the inclusion into elementary education for adults ■ preparation for vocational training and education ■ preparation for employment (how to look for a job, how to present oneself to the employer, self-evaluation, etc.)

Cakovee Employment Office participated in the I PA project “ Partnership at work" (conducted from July 2011 to January 2012) during which the Office held three workshops in the Kursanec Roma Family Center. Since the results o f these workshops were highly positively evaluated, the Office continued its cooperation with the Kursanec Roma Fam ily Center (see above).

Cakovee Employment Office is also participating in the program “ Social Inclusion and Employment o f Roma through Bio-Dinamic Agriculture”, during which a series of motivational workshops for unemployed Roma were conducted. The goal of the project is to increase the employability o f Roma in Medimurjc County, contribute to their social inclusion, build the capacity for their (sclfjcmploymcnt and create a sustainable model for their employment through founding a social cooperative (socijalna zadruga) for biodynamic/organic agriculture.

A ll workshops and lectures organized thus far in the Roma Family Center were well received among the Roma population, who found that it provided useful information and advice facilitating their navigation through the labor market. Therefore, the Employment Office shall continue its cooperation with the Kursanec Roma Family Center.

■ Activities of the Varazdin County Family Center

In 2012, when the Family Center o f Medimurjc County was not yet fully functional, the Family Center of the neighboring Varazdin County conducted activities on its behalf. In order to inform the inhabitants of Medimurje on the possibility to be included in programs o f Varazdin Family Center, flyers were printed and handed out. DH-D0(2014)455 : distributed at the request of Croatia / distribué à la demande de la Croatie. Documents distributed at the request of a Representative shall be under the sole responsibility of the said Representative, without prejudice to the legal or political position of the Committee of Ministers. / Les documents distribués à la demande d’un/e Représentant/e le sont sous la seule responsabilité dudit/de ladite Représentant/e, sans préjuger de la position juridique ou politique du Comité des Ministres.

During the 2011/2012 school year, the Family Center of Varazdin County in cooperation with the Cakovee Social Welfare Center, conducted two workshops: "M y parenting style” (attended by 3 Roma parents) and “How to build respect and a uthority" (attended by 17 Roma parents).

Also, in the period between August and December 2012, 11 beneficiaries o f Roma origin residing in Medimurjc County have entered into individual counseling provided by the Varazdin Family Center.

In 2013, the Medimurjc County Family Centerbecame operational. In June 2013, a psychologist and a lawyer were hired. The Medimurjc County Family Center shall continue the work of Varazdin County Center and develop new lectures and workshops for pupils and parents, and provide support in dealing with concrete problems encountered by families in Medimurjc County in everyday life and childcare.

4. PROFFESSIONAL TRAINING OF TEACHERS

The Agency for Upbringing and Education ( Agencija za odgoj i obrazovanje; hereinafter: The Agency) has developed a modular professional training for grade- school and Croatian language teachers who teach foreign-language speaking students.

Teachers from Medimurjc schools" and teachers from Zagreb took part in the training: “Teaching and learning Croatian as a foreign language” (“ Poducavanje i ucenje hrvatskog kao stranog jezika").

Additionally, the Agency is planning further training programs for teachers in Medimurjc County, focusing on particular issues they encounter in daily work with pupils who have difficulties with Croatian language.

The Agency also published a textbook “ Foreign language speaking student in Croatian language environment: Guidelines for the inclusion of foreign language speaking students into upbringing and education on Croatian language” . The textbook has been made widely available to all teachers in Croatia.

CONCLUSION

The Government o f Croatia once again reiterates its strong commitment to fulfilling the obligations stemming from Article 46 of the Convention, and shall keep the Committee of Ministers regularly informed on all relevant developments in the execution process.

The Government deems that the measures undertaken thus far in the execution process, as presented to the Committee of Ministers in this and previous action plans (updates and addendums), and continuous efforts o f all national stakeholders clearly demonstrate that Croatia is firmly devoted in eliminating any discrimination of Roma pupils in the national education system.

14 Where Roma arc often llie m ajority o f pupils