Legislation

(Document Status in 1998)

(Official Title: The Constitution of the Republic of Croatia)

II. BASIC PROVISIONS

Article 12

The Croatian language and the Latin script shall be in official use in the Republic of Croatia.

In individual local units, another language and the Cyrillic or some other script may be introduced into official use along with the Croatian language and the Latin script, under conditions specified by law.

III. FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

1. General Provisions

Article 14

Everyone in the Republic of Croatia shall enjoy all rights and freedoms, regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, and political or other belief, national or social origin, property, birth, education, social status or other characteristics.

All shall be equal before the law.

Article 15

Members of all national minorities shall have equal rights in the Republic of Croatia.

Members of all national minorities shall be guaranteed freedom to express their nationality, freedom to use their language and script, and cultural autonomy.

Article 17

During a state of war or an immediate threat to the independence and unity of the State, or in the event of severe natural disasters, individual freedoms and rights guaranteed by the Constitution may be restricted. This shall be decided by the Croatian National Parliament by a two-thirds majority of all members or, if the

Croatian National Parliament is unable to meet, by the President of the Republic.

The extent of such restrictions shall be adequate to the nature of the danger, and may not result in the inequality of citizens in respect of race, color, sex, language, religion and national or social origin.

2. Personal and Political Freedoms and Rights

Article 24

The arrested person shall be promptly informed, in understandable terms, of the reasons for arrest and of his rights determined by law...

Note: The full text of the Constitution can be found on the web page: http://www.nn.hr/Glasilo/Ustav/Ustav_Eng.htm

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