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Constitutional and developmental position of territorially concentrated minorities in Eastern Croatia

The paper discusses the constitutional and territorial development status of concentrated minorities in Eastern Croatia. Accompanied to the normative method, as part of research methodology, following methods were used: comparative method, historical and statistical method and secondary researches. Due to the changes of the Croatian Constitution in 2010, 22 national minorities were included in its Foundation Source, as well as Croatian citizens, who are guaranteed equality with citizens of Croatian nationality and the realization of national rights in accordance with the democratic norms of the United Nations and countries of the free world. In eastern Croatia there are towns and municipalities with increased concentration of ethnic minorities (Serbs, Slovaks, Hungarians and the Czech). However, the development index shows that all minority local units range within from below 50% to barely 75% of the average development of the Republic of Croatia. In contrast to the good development of the area with territorially concentrated minorities in some European countries (Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Austria ...), territorially concentrated minorities in Eastern Croatia show extremely below-average development status. Some documents promote economic and social development of members of ethnic minorities. At the global level, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities obliges countries to consider appropriate measures so that members of minorities could fully participate in the economic progress and development in their country. In the European context, the European Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities also provides special rights to national minorities inhabited in the areas which traditionally or in substantial number belong to national minorities. In the Croatian perspective, the Constitutional Law on National Minorities specifies how ethnic and multicultural diversity and spirit of understanding, respect and tolerance contribute to promotion of the development of the Republic of Croatia. Based on the constitutional position and achieved development position of territorially concentrated minorities in Eastern Croatia, it is proposed that the Republic of Croatia takes certain measures in order to improve the level of development of areas where national minorities traditionally live.

Eastern Croatia, minority rights, development, territorially concentrated ethnic minorities, the Constitution

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