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THE CONSTITUTIONAL ACT ON THE RIGHTS OF NATIONAL
MINORITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
THE CROATIAN PARLIAMENT
(Narodne novine, 13th December 2002)
Pursuant to the Article 88 of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, I herewith pass the following
DECISION
on Promulgation of the Constitutional Act on the Rights of National Minorities
I herewith promulgate the Constitutional Act on the Rights of National Minorities, that has been adopted by the Croatian Parliament at the session on 13th December 2002.
Number: 01-081-02-3955/2 Zagreb, 19th December 2002
The President
of the Republic of Croatia
Stjepan Mesić
THE CONSTITUTIONAL ACT ON THE RIGHTS OF NATIONAL MINORITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
I. BASIC PROVISIONS
Article 1.
The Republic of Croatia, in conformity with:
- the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia,
- the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
- the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
- the Final Act of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Charter of Paris for a New Europe and other documents of the OSCE concerning human rights, in particular the Document of the Copenhagen Meeting on the Human Dimension and the Document of the Moscow Meeting of the OSCE on the Human Dimension,
- the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and its
Protocols,
- the International Covenant on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Convention for the
Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
- Declaration on Elimination of all Sorts of Intolerance and Discrimination on the Grounds of religion and Persuasion,
- Convention on fight against discrimination in the area of education
- UN Declaration on rights of persons members of national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities,
- the Framework Convention of the Council of Europe for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe,
- The Europe Charter on regional and minority languages,
- The Europe Charter on local (regional) self-government
- Instruments of the Central-European Initiative for minority right protection
- The Lund recommendation on effective participation of national minorities in public life
Commits to respect and protect the rights of national minorities and other fundamental rights and freedoms of man and citizen, the rule of law and all other highest values of the constitutional and international legal order of all its citizens.
Article 2
Beside human rights and freedoms recognised by the provisions of the Constitutions, The Republic of Croatia recognises also all other rights foreseen by international documents from the Article 1 of this Constitutional Act, depending on exceptions and restrictions foreseen by this documents, without discrimination according to race, skin colour, language, religion, political and other persuasion, national and social order, connection to national minority, status inherited by birth or some other basis pursuant to the Art. 14. and 17. paragraph 3. of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia.
Article 3
(1) Persons belonging to national minorities are entitled to rights and freedoms (in further text: members of national minority), as fundamental human rights and freedoms, that are an inseparable part of the democratic system of the Republic of Croatia and are enjoying the necessary support and protection, including positive measures to the benefit of national minorities.
(2) The ethnic and multicultural diversity and the spirit of understanding, appreciation and tolerance
contribute to the promotion of development of the Republic of Croatia.
Article 4
(1) Every citizen of the Republic of Croatia has the right: to declare freely to be a member of some
national minority in the Republic of Croatia; to exercise either on its own or together with other members of this national minority or together with members of other national minorities rights and freedoms as determined by this Constitutional Act and other minority rights and freedoms determined by special acts.
(2) The members of national minorities exercise in the same way as other citizens of the Republic of Croatia: rights and freedoms determined by the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, and rights and freedoms determined by this Constitutional Act and special acts.
(3) The rights and freedoms determined by this Constitutional Act and rights and freedoms of national minorities determined by special acts, the national minorities and their members exercise in the way and under conditions determined by this Constitutional Act and special acts.
(4) Every kind of discrimination on the basis of membership to a national minority is prohibited. Equality before the law and equal legal protection is guaranteed to members of national minorities.
(5) It is forbidden to undertake measures that would change the proportion among the inhabitants in the areas inhabited by persons who belong to national minorities, and which are aimed at making more difficult or restricting rights and freedoms determined by this Constitutional Act and by special acts.
(6) By means of this Constitutional Act or special acts, it is possible to determine the realization of certain rights and freedoms, according to numerical representation of members of national minority in the Republic of Croatia or in some part of its territory, acquired rights and international contracts that, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, are a constituent part of the inner legal order of the Republic of Croatia.
Article 5
A national minority in the sense of this Constitutional Act, is a group of Croatian citizens whose members traditionally inhabit the territory of the Republic of Croatia, its members having ethnic, linguistic, cultural and/or religious characteristics different from other citizens and are lead by the wish to preserve these characteristics.
Article 6
(1) The Republic of Croatia can, together with other states, make international contracts by means of which the issue of rights and freedoms of members of national minorities in Croatia will be regulated.
(2) When making international contracts from paragraph 1 of this Article, the Republic of Croatia will advocate creation and promotion of conditions necessary for keeping and developing cultures of members of national minorities, and preserving the essential parts of their identity, religion, language, tradition and cultural heritage.
Article 7
The Republic of Croatia ensures realization of special rights and freedoms of the members of national minorities enjoyed by them individually or together with other persons belonging to the same national minority, and when being determined by this Constitutional Act or special acts, together with members of other national minorities, especially:
1. usage of own language and script, in private and public use, and in official use;
2. education and schooling in the language and script they are using;
3. usage of own insignia and symbols;
4. cultural autonomy by means of keeping, developing and expressing their own culture, and preserving and protecting their cultural material heritage and tradition;
5. right of confessing own religion and founding of religious communities together with other members if this religion;
6. access to media of mass communication and performing of actions of public information (receiving and distribution of information) in the language and script they are using;
7. self-organising and uniting for realization of common interests;
8. representation in representation bodies on national and local level, and in administration and judicial bodies;
9. participation of members of national minorities in public life and administration of local affairs bymeans of Councils and representatives of national minorities;
10. protection from every act that endangers or can endanger their existence and exercise of rights and freedoms.
Article 8
The provisions of this Constitutional Act and provisions of special acts by means of which rights and freedoms of members of national minorities are being regulated, must be explained and implemented with the purpose of respecting the members of national minorities and Croatian people, development of understanding, solidarity, tolerance and dialogue between them.
II. RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
Article 9
(1) Members of national minorities have the right to use their family name and first name in the language they are using and that is officially recognised to them and their children by entering into registers of births, marriages and deaths and other official documents, in compliance with the regulations of the Republic of Croatia.
(2) Members of national minorities have the right that the form of the identity card is being printed and filled out in the language and script they are using.
Article 10
Members of national minorities have the right to use freely their language and script, in private and inpublic, including the right to set up insignia and signs and other information in the language and script they are using, in compliance with the law.
Article 11
(1) A member of a national minority has the right to education and schooling in the language and script the national minority is using.
(2) Education and schooling of members of national minorities is being executed in pre-school institutions, primary and secondary schools and other school institutions (in the further text: school institution) with teaching in the language and script they are using, under provisions and in the way determined by the special act on education and schooling in the language and script of national minorities.
(3) School institutions with teaching in the language and script of a national minority can be established and education and schooling executed for a number of students smaller than those determined for school institutions with teaching in Croatian language and script.
(4) The teaching plan and programme in the language and script of the national minority beside the general part, must contain a part the content of which is in connection to the particularity of a national minority (mother tongue, literature, history, geography and cultural creation of the national minority).
(5) It is the right and obligation of students being educated in the language and script of national minorities to learn, beside their own language and script, the Croatian language and Latin script, according to the determined teaching plan and programme.
(6) Educational work in a schooling institution with teaching in the language and script of a national
minority is being performed by teachers who are members of the national minority, who are fully in command of the language and script of the national minority, or teachers who are not members of the national minority, but are fully in command of the language and script of the national minority.
(7) Institutions of higher education organise the implementation of programmes of education of educators, primary and secondary school teachers for performing of work of education and schooling in the language and script the national minorities are using, in the part containing particularities of the national minority (mother tongue, literature, history, geography and cultural creativity of the national minority).
(8) The members of national minorities can, for the purpose of exercising education and schooling of their members, in the way and under the provisions of this act, establish institutions of pre-school education, primary and secondary schools.
(9) It will be made possible for the students of a school institution in Croatian language to learn the
language and script of a national minority in the way determined by a special act, and according to the teaching programme determined by the competent body of the central state administration, with provision of financial means in the state budget and in budgets of units of local self-government.
Article 12
(1) Official equal use of language and script used by members of national minority is being realised in the area of the unit of local self-government when the members of a national minority make at least one third of the population of the unit.
(2) Official equal use of language and script used by members of national minority is also being realised in cases when, foreseen by international contracts and in consistence with the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, it is a part of the inner legal order of the Republic of Croatia and when it is determined by the statute of the unit of local self-government or by the statute of the unit of regional self-government in consistence with provisions of the special act on usage of language and script of national minorities in the Republic of Croatia.
(3) Other conditions and ways of official usage of language and script used by members of national
minority in representative and executive bodies and in the procedure at administrative bodies of the units of local self-government and units of regional self-government; in the procedure at bodies of the state administration of the first degree; in procedure at judicial bodies of the first degree; in procedures lead by the State Attorney and notaries public, and legal entities having public authorities, are being regulated by a special act on usage of language and script of the national minorities.
Article 13
By the act, by means of which usage of language and script of national minorities is being regulated, and/or by means of statutes of the units of local self-government measures are being determined that enable preservation of traditional names and signs, giving traditional names to places, streets and squares and names of persons and events significant for history and culture of the national minority in Croatia in areas traditionally or in a significant number inhabited by members of national minority.
Article 14
(1) The usage of insignia and symbols of national minorities and celebration of holidays of national
minorities in Croatia is free.
(2) Beside official usage of insignia and symbols of the Republic of Croatia, national minorities can use corresponding insignia and symbols of national minorities. When an anthem or a hymn of an ethnic and national community or minority is used, the national anthem of the Republic of Croatia must obligatory be performed beforehand.
(3) The Statute of a local self-government units must regulate the way of using the national flag and
symbols of a national minority.
Article 15
(1) Members of national minorities can found associations, foundations, endowments and institutions for performing activities of public information, cultural, editorial, museum, archive, librarian and scientific activities with the aim of preservation, development, promotion and expression of their national and cultural identity.
(2) The Republic of Croatia, units of local self-government and regional self-government, consistent to their possibilities, are financing activities of the institutions from paragraph 1. of this Article.
(3) Associations and foundations and institutions from sec.1. of this Article can express in their name that the national minorities are their founders.
Article 16
(1) Members of national minorities, their associations and National Minorities Councils, or members of national minorities, freely keep contacts with people with whom they share the same ethnic, linguistic, cultural and/or religious characteristics, and with legal entities with seats in the territory of the state of that people, that perform activities of education and schooling, science, culture, editorial and humanitarian activities.
(2) Associations of members of national minorities and National Minorities Councils, or representatives of national minorities can for its own usage receive free of customs fees newspapers, magazines, books, films, video tapes, sound carriers in a limited number of copies, from state bodies of people with whom they share characteristics from sec.1. of this Article and from legal entities, and they can, free of charge, distribute them to members of the national minority.
(3) Associations of members of national minority can organize for members of the national minority guest performances of professional and amateur cultural art groups, and organize other cultural and art events and exhibitions that contribute to enrichment of culture and identity of the national minority. In such cases foreigners who participate in preparation of events and exhibitions need not have a work licence.
(4) Members of national minority may freely express their religious affiliation and confess their religion and in accordance with it belong to a religious community.
Article 17
(1) On the basis of laws and implementation regulations by means of which activities of public information, production and broadcasting of radio and television programme have been regulated, and also the education and schooling, museums, archives and librarian activities, and protection and preservation of cultural heritage, conditions are being created that all the citizens of the Republic of Croatia, particularly children and youth get acquainted with history, culture and religion of national minorities, through the content of educational work and compulsory and optional curriculum.
(2) With the purpose of realization of provisions of the sec. l. of this Article, measures will be undertaken that will make access to the media easier for member of national minorities.
Article 18
(1) Radio and television station on national, regional and local level have the task to promote understanding for members of national minorities, produce and/or broadcast shows aimed for informing members of national minorities in languages of national minorities, creation and broadcast of programme by means of which preservation, development and expression of cultural, religious and forms of identity of national minorities is being promoted, preservation and protection of their cultural material heritage and tradition, and creation and broadcasting of programme by means of which members of national minorities in this territory are getting acquainted with work and tasks of their National Minorities Councils and representatives of national minorities. Legal entities performing the activity of public information (print, radio, television) will enable participation in the creation of programme aimed for national minorities to associations of representatives of national minorities and institutions of national minorities.
(2) In the state budget and in the budget of local and regional self-government the financial means are being ensured for the co-financing of programmes of radio and television stations in their ownership aimed for national minorities, consistent to possibilities and criteria set by the Government of the Republic of Croatia and proposal of the Council for national minorities, or a competent body of units of local and regional self-government, on proposal of the National Minorities Council.
(3) With the aim of exercising rights of members of national minorities to information by means of print and radio and television in the language and script of the members of national minorities, their National Minorities Councils and representatives of national minorities and their associations can perform activities of public information (issue newspapers, produce and broadcast radio and television programme, and perform the activity of news agencies) consistent to the law.
Article 19
(1) The Republic of Croatia guarantees to members of other national minorities the right to be represented in the Croatian Parliament (Sabor).
(2) Members of national minorities elect no less than five and no more than eight of their representatives in special election constituencies, pursuant to the law by means of which the election of representatives to the Croatian Parliament (Sabor) is being regulated, and by means of which no acquired rights of the members of national minorities can be reduced.
(3) To the members of national minorities that in the total amount of population of the Republic of Croatia participate with more than 1.5%, one seat is being guaranteed, and maximum three representative seats of members of this particular national minority, pursuant to the act by means of which election of representatives to the Croatian Parliament (Sabor) is being regulated.
(4) Members of national minorities, that in the total amount of population of the Republic of Croatia
participate with less than 1.5%, have the right to elect four representatives of their members, pursuant to the act by means of which election of representatives to the Croatian Parliament (Sabor) is being regulated.
Article 20
(1) The Republic of Croatia guarantees to members of national minorities the right to representation in bodies of local self-government and representative bodies of units of regional self-government.
(2) If to the representative body of the unit of local self-government on the basis of universal suffrage at least one member of the national minority, which in the territory of the local self-government unit participate with more than 5% and less than 15% has not been elected, the number of members of the representative body of the local self-government unit will be increased for one member, and considered to be elected will be that member of national minority who is not elected as first in order according to the proportional success of each voting list on the elections, if by provisions of the act on the election of members of representative bodies of the local self-government units has not been regulated otherwise.
(3) If to the representative body of the unit of local self-government on the basis of universal suffrage not that number of representatives of members of national minorities is ensured that in the population of the local self-government unit participate with minimum 15%, as much ensures a representation of members of national minority in proportion to its part in the local population, the number of members of the representative body will be increased up to the number required in order for the representation to be realized, and considered to be elected will be that member of national minority who is not elected as the first one in order according to the proportional success of each voting list on the elections, if by provisions of the law on the election of members of representative bodies of the local self-government units has not been regulated otherwise.
(4) If to the representative body of the unit of regional self-government on the basis of universal suffrage not that number of representatives of members of national minorities is ensured that in the population of the local self-government unit participates with over 15%, as much ensures a representation of members proportional to their proportion in the population of the regional self-government unit, the number of members of the representative body will be increased up to the number required in order for the representation to be realized, and considered to be elected will be that member of national minority who is not elected as first in order according to the proportional success of each voting list on the elections, if by provisions of the law on the election of members of representative bodies of the local self-government units has not been regulated otherwise.
(5) If by implementation of provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article no representation of members of national minorities in the representative body of the local self-government unit has been achieved. If neither by implementation of provisions of the paragraph 4 of this Article a representation of members of national minorities to the representative body of the regional self-government unit cannot be achieved, by-elections will be called in the unit of self-government consistent to these provisions.
(6) The nomination and election of the members of the representative body of the local self-government unit or regional self-government unit according to provisions of the paragraphs 2, 3, 4, and 5 of this Article is being regulated by the law, by means of which election of members of representative bodies of the local and regional self-government units has been regulated.
(7) For determination of the number of members of national minorities for the purpose of implementation of provisions of this Article, competent are the official results of the census. Before each election, official results of the census on the number of members of national minorities in the local self-government unit or regional self-government unit are being coordinated, with potential changes that are registered in the last confirmed list of voters of this constituency.
Article 21
The units of local and regional self-government in which members of national minorities do not make the majority of the population can determine by their statutes, that to the representative body
of the unit of the local self-government or regional self-government a member of national minorities or a larger number of members of national minorities be elected from their proportion in the total amount of local population.
Article 22
(1) In the unit of local self government and unit of regional self government (in the further text: unit of self-government) in which according to the provisions of this Constitutional Act a proportional representation of members in its representative body of members of national minorities has to be ensured, representation of members of national minorities in its executive body is being secured.
(2) Representation in the bodies of government administration and judicial bodies is being ensured to members of national minorities, consistent to the provisions of special acts, taking into consideration the participation of members of national minorities in the total population at the level on which the government administration or judicial body is operating, and taking into account their acquired rights.
(3) Representation in the bodies of unit of self-government is ensured to members of national minorities, consistent to the provisions of special acts, by means of which local and regional selfgovernment has been regulated and consistent to acquired rights.
(4) In appointment of seats from paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article, the advantage, under the same
conditions have representatives of national minorities.
III. COUNCILS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF NATIONAL MINORITIES IN THE UNITS
OF SELF-GOVERNMENT
Article 23
With the aim of promotion, preservation and protection of status of national minorities in the society, the members of national minorities are electing their representatives, in the way and under the conditions determined by this Constitutional Act, for participation in public life and administration of local affairs through Councils and representatives of national minorities in the unit of self-government.
Article 24
(1) In the units of self-government in the territory of which the members of national minorities participate with at least 15% in the total population of the unit of self-government, in the units of self-government in the territory of which live over 200 members of an individual national minority, and in units of regional self-government in the territory of which live over 500 members of national minority, members of each such national minority can elect a National Minorities Council.
(2) 10 members are being elected to the Community National Minorities Council, to the City National Minorities Council 15 members are being elected, and to the County National Minorities Council 25 members of national minorities are being elected.
(3) In cases when not even one of the conditions from paragraph 1. of this Article for the election of the National Minorities Council have been met, and in the territory of the unit of self-government live at least 100 members of the national minority, for the territory of such unit of self-government a representative of the national minorities shall be elected.
(4) Candidates for the members of National Minorities Councils or candidates for representatives of
national minorities can be nominated by associations of national minorities or at least 20 members of national minorities from the territory of the community, or 30 from the territory of the city or 50 from the county.
(5) The members of the National Minorities Council and representatives of national minorities are being elected directly, in secret vote, for the period of four years. To the procedure of elections and other issues connected to their election provisions of the act by means of which election of members to the representativ e bodies of the unit of self-government has been regulated.
(6) Competent for determination of the number of members of national minorities for the purpose of
implementation of the provisions of this Article is the census, which is being corrected (increased or
reduced) for that number of voters who are being registered or erased from the list of voters that is being made for the elections of the member of representative bodies of the unit of local self-government.
Article 25
(1) The National Minorities Council is a non-profit legal entity. The characteristics of a legal entity
acquires the Council by being entered to the register of the National Minorities Councils run by the
ministry in charge of affairs of general administration.
(2) The Council is liable with its total property for its affairs.
(3) The name of the National Minorities Council must be in Croatian language and in Latin script, and in the language and script used by the national minority that has established the Council.
(4) The name of the National Minorities Council must contain the sign of the national minority and the sign of the region for which it has been elected.
(5) The Minister in charge of affairs of general administration will determine, by means of a book of rules, the contents of the register of the National Minorities Council and the way of its managing, and the request form for entering to the register of National Minorities Councils.
Article 26
The members of the National Minorities Council are electing by secret vote the president of the council. The National Minorities Council elects also the person who will act instead of the president of the council in cases of his/her absence or if he/she is prevented.
Article 27
(1) The National Minorities Council adopts a program of work, financial plan and final statement of
account, and a statute by means of which important issues for the work of the council are being regulated.
(2) The president of the National Minorities Council represents the Council, calls the sessions of the
council and has rights and obligations determined by the statute of the council.
(3) The statute, the programme of work, the financial plan and the final statement of account of the council are being passed by a majority vote of all its members.
(4) The statute, financial plan and final state of account of the National Minorities Council are being
published in the official gazette of the local or regional self-government unit, for the territory of which it has been established.
Article 28
(1) The units of self-government provide financial means for the work of the National Minorities Councils, including financial means for administrative affairs for their needs, and may also provide financial means for certain activities set by the programme of work of the National Minorities Council.
(2) The financial means for implementation of certain programmes of the National Minorities Council can also be provided in the state budget of the Republic of Croatia.
Article 29
(1) The means that the National Minorities Council realises from its property are: from donations, gifts, inheritances or some other basis, can be used exclusively for activities and affairs of importance for the national minority set in the programme of work of the National Minorities Council.
(2) The means that the National Minorities Council acquires from the state budget of the Republic of Croatia or budget of the unit of self-government can be used exclusively for purposes set by the budget and the law, or resolution by which the execution of the budget is being regulated, or for purposes, in cases of the means from the state budget of the Republic of Croatia, determined by the Committee for national minorities.
(3) When the National Minorities Council procures goods or service or executes works by using the means from paragraph 2. of this Article, they can be used only under the conditions and in the way determined by the provision of the Public Procurement Act.
Article 30
(1) Members of the National Minorities Council perform their offices, as a rule, voluntarily and with the care of a good master.
(2) Member of the National Minorities Council can receive compensation from means of the Council only for real costs they were having while performing their work for the council and rewards, for the monthly or some other period of time, it is approved and up to the amount approved by the Minister in charge of general administration.
Article 31
(1) The National Minorities Councils in the unit of self-government are entitled to:
- Propose to the bodies of the units of self-government measures for improvement of situation of the
national minority in the country or on some of the regions, including giving proposal drafts of general legal acts by means of which issues of importance for the national minority are being regulated to the bodies passing them;
- Nominate candidates for offices in bodies of the state administration and bodies of the units of selfgovernment;
- Be informed of every issue that is to be discussed by the committees of the representative body of the unit of self-government, and considers the situation of the national minority;
- Give opinions and proposals to the programmes of radio and television stations on local and regional level aimed for national minorities or on programmes related to minority issues.
(2) The bodies of the units of self-government will by their general legal acts regulate the ways, terms and procedures of exercising the rights determined in the paragraph 1 of this Article.
Article 32
(1) The municipality (government) of the self-government unit has the commitment, when preparing general acts, to ask for opinion of the National Minorities Council established for that particular region, and proposals about provisions by means of which rights and freedoms of the national minorities have been regulated.
(2) If the Council of National Minority deems that the general legal act of the self-government unit or some of its provisions contradict the Constitution, this Constitutional Act or special acts regulating rights and freedoms of national minorities, it must about this fact immediately inform the ministry in charge of general administration. Information on this fact will also be given to the municipality (government) of the self-government unit and to the National Minorities Committee.
(3) The ministry in charge of general administration, if it evaluates that the general legal act from
paragraph 2 of this Article or some of its provisions contradict the Constitution,
against this Constitutional Act or special acts regulating rights and freedoms of national minorities, it will in an eight days term, discontinue its implementation.
(4) The decision on discontinuance of the implementation will be delivered without delay to the president of the community, the mayor, the county mayor, the president of the representative body that has issued the general legal act, and the information on the decision will be sent to the National Minorities Committee and Council of National Minorities on the basis of which information the decision has been made.
(5) The ministry in charge of general administration proceeds to the Government of the Republic of
Croatia the resolution on discontinuance of the implementation of the general legal act with the proposal for starting the procedure for evaluation of coordination with the Constitution and law at the Constitutional court of the Republic of Croatia, informing of it the self-government unit.
(6) The implementation on discontinuance of a general act will be discontinued if the Government of the Republic of Croatia does not start a procedure from the paragraph 5 of this Article in a 30 days term, from the day of filing the resolution form paragraph 5 of this Article.
Article 33
(1) Two or more National Minorities Councils established in the same local self-government unit, two or more National Minorities Councils established in different local self-government units, two or more National Minorities Councils established in same regional self-government units, two or more National Minorities Councils established in different regional self-government units, can with the purpose of coordination or promotion of common interest found a coordination of National Minorities Councils.
(2) The National Minorities Councils through Coordination of National Minorities Councils coordinate their opinions on issues from their scope of work.
(3) The National Minorities Councils can authorize the Coordination of the National Minorities Councils to undertake in their name the necessary steps from Article 13 of this Constitutional Act.
(4) It is considered that Councils of National Minorities of the regional self-government units have established a coordination of National Minorities Councils for the territory of the Republic of Croatia, when more than half of the total number of National Minorities Councils of regional self-government units joined the agreement on foundation of the Coordination.
(5) The Coordination of National Minorities Councils that the National Minorities Councils of regional self-government units have established for the territory of the Republic of Croatia can make decisions on insignia and symbols of national minorities and ways of celebrating holidays of national minorities with the approval of the National Minorities Committee.
Article 34
(1) A representative of a national minority performs his activity under the name that must be in Croatian language and Latin script and in the language and script used by the national minority that has elected him/her, and containing insignia of region for which he/she has been elected.
(2) The representative of national minority opens an account for financial means used for exercising of minority rights in the territory of the local self-government unit for which he/she has been elected, for the financial plan of usage of these means and final statement of account. The financial plan and the final statement of account of means used for exercising of minority rights, are being published in the official gazette of the local self-government unit for the territory of which the minority representative has been elected.
(3) The provisions of the Articles 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 of this Constitutional Act are being respectively applied to the representative of national minority and his/her authorities and commitments.
IV. THE NATIONAL MINORITIES COMMITTEE
Article 35
(1) The National Minorities Committee is being established, for participation of national minorities in the public life of the Republic of Croatia, and mostly for consideration and suggestion of regulation and solution of issues connected to exercising and protection of rights and freedoms of national minorities.
With this aim the Committee cooperates with the competent government bodies and bodies of selfgovernment units, National minority councils, or representatives of national minorities, associations of national minorities and legal entities performing activities by means of which minority rights and freedoms are being exercised.
(2) The National Minorities Committee has the right to: - propose to bodies of the state authority to
consider some issues of importance for the national minority, and particularly the implementation of this Constitutional act and special acts by means of which minority rights and freedoms have been regulated;
- to draft measures for promotion of situation of national minority in the state or in some of its parts to the bodies of state power;
- to give opinions and proposals on programmes of public radio and television aimed for national minorities, and on treatment of minority issues in programmes of public radio and television stations and other means of communication;
- to propose the implementation of economic, social and other measures in the regions of traditionally or predominantly inhabited by national minorities in order to preserve their existence in that regions,
- to request and obtain from the state authorities and authorities of the local and regional self-government data and reports necessary for considering issues from their scope;
- to call and request the presence of representative of state authorities and authorities of local and regional self-government, competent for the issues in scope of the National Minorities Committee, as regulated by this Constitutional act and the statute of the Committee
(3) The National Minorities Committee cooperates in issues of interest for national minorities in the
Republic of Croatia with the competent bodies of international organisations and institutions dealing with issues of national minorities, and competent bodies of parent countries of the members of national minorities in the Republic of Croatia.
(4) The National Minorities Committee distributes the financial means being ensured in the state budget for the needs of national minorities. The users of the means submit to the Committee yearly reports on the expenditure of the means being remitted to them from the state budget, and the Committee report of the fact to the Government of Republic of Croatia and the Croatian Parliament (Sabor).
(5) If in a 90 days term from the adoption the state budget, the National Minorities Committee does not decide on distribution of the finances from sec.4. of this Article, the decision on it is being passed by the Government of Republic of Croatia.
Article 36
(1) The members of the National Minorities Committee are being appointed by the Government of the Republic of Croatia for a period of four years, in the following way:
- Seven members of national minorities from persons nominated by the National Minority Councils,
- Five members of national minorities from the group of persons prominent in culture, science, religion and other professions, nominated by minority associations and other organisations of minorities, religious communities, legal entities and citizens-members of national minorities.
(2) The members of the National Minorities Committee are also representatives of national minorities in the Croatian Parliament (Sabor).
(3) The National Minorities Committee has a president and two vice presidents, nominated by the Government of the Republic of Croatia, from the members of the Committee. One of them must be a member of the Committee of the national minority that in the total population of the Republic of Croatia participates with more than 1,5%.
(4) When appointing members of the Committee, the Government of the Republic of Croatia will take into account the proportion of members of particular national minorities in the total population of the Republic of Croatia, and also of the fact that the structure of the Committee reflects their identity and difference, and historical values, ethnic, cultural and every other diversity.
(5) The president and vice presidents of the National Minorities Committee perform their office professionally, and the president of the Committee is also the director of the professional services of the Committee.
(6) For performance of professional and administrative work for the National Minorities Committee, the Government of the Republic of Croatia will found a professional service of the Committee and determine an approximate number of its employees.
(7) The National Minorities Committee has its statute passed with the agreement of the Government of the Republic of Croatia. The scope and organisation of work of the Committee is being more precisely regulated by the statute.
(8) The National Minorities Committee adopts its programme of work, financial plan, final statement of account and decisions on distribution of financial means ensured in the state budget for the needs of national minorities.
(9) The National Minorities Committee will adopt a book of rules on the inner organisation of work of the professional service of the Committee on the proposal of the president of the Committee.
(10) The National Minorities Committee decides by the majority of all its members.
(11) The programme of work of the National Minorities Committee, the financial plan and the final statement of account of the Committee, and legal acts by means of which the Committee distributes the financial means ensured in the state budget for the needs of national minorities, are being published in the official gazette »Narodne novine«.
V. THE SUPERVISION
Article 37
(1) The exercising of rights and freedoms of national minorities guaranteed by the Constitution, this
Constitutional Act and special acts is being supervised by the bodies of the state administration, according to issues from their scope.
(2) The Government of the Republic of Croatia coordinates the work of the government administration bodies in the implementation of this Constitutional Act and special acts regulating the issues of importance for national minorities.
(3) At least once a year, the Government of the Republic of Croatia submits to the Croatian Parliament (Sabor) a report on the implementation of this Constitutional Act and on expenditure of means ensured in the state budget for the needs of national minorities, and the National Minorities Committee submits to the Croatian Parliament or some of its committees dealing with exercise of rights of national minorities a halfyear report on issues being the scope of work of the Committee and a quarterly report on expenditure of the means ensured in the state budget for the needs of national minorities.
Article 38
(1) The National Minority Councils or representatives of national minorities in the self-government unit can request from the competent body of the state administration to execute supervision over the
implementation of this Constitutional Act and special acts regulating rights and freedoms of national minorities by the self-government units where they are established and to undertake measures for lawful acting of these bodies, on the fact of which the National minorities Committee is being informed, that must inform of its standpoint the National Minority Councils or the representative of national minority.
(2) The National Minority Council can request from the Government of the Republic of Croatia to supervise the implementation of this Constitutional Act and special acts regulating the rights and freedoms of national minorities by the bodies of state administration and to undertake measures for lawful acting of these bodies.
(3) The National Minority Councils, or representatives of national minorities and the National Minority Committee have the right, in consistence with the provisions of the Constitutional Act on the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia, to file a constitutional complaint to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia, if by their own evaluation or due to initiative of the members of national minority it is deemed that rights and freedoms of members of national minorities have been abused, that are guaranteed by the provisions of this Constitutional Act and special acts.
VI. TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 39
(1) The provision of the Article 19 of this Constitutional Act will be implemented from the day of entering into force of the act by means of which, and consistent to this provision the election of representatives to the Croatian Parliament will be regulated.
(2) The representative bodies of the local and regional self-government units with mandate in duration, and where the right to representation of members of national minorities consistent to the provisions of the Article 20 of this Constitutional Act has not been exercised, will be appointed by an appropriate number of members of national minorities in a 90 days term from the day of entering into force of this Constitutional Act.
Article 40
Nothing in this Constitutional Act shall be interpreted as if it included any right to perform any kind of act against fundamental principles of international law, particular sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and independence of the Republic of Croatia.
Article 41
By this Constitutional Act, rights and freedoms of national minorities determined by international agreements, that are consistent to the Constitution and are a constituent part of the inner legal order of the Republic of Croatia, are neither changed not cancelled.
Article 42
(1) The Government of the Republic of Croatia shall appoint members of the National Minorities Committee not later than 90 days from the day of entering in force of this Constitutional Act.
(2) If by expiry of the term from sec.1. of this Article the National Minorities Councils are not established, or if these councils do not nominate candidates to the Government of the Republic of Croatia for members of the National Minorities Committee, the National Minorities Committee will consist of members appointed according to the provision of the Article 36, paragraph 1, subparagraph two and the members determined according to the provision of the Article 36 paragraph 2 of this Constitutional Act.
(3) Until the foundation of professional services of the National Minorities Committee, professional and administrative work for the Committee will be performed by the National Minorities Office of the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
Article 43
(1) On the day on entering into force of this Constitutional Act the provisions of the Article 4 paragraph 1 point 1 of the Act On Usage Of Language And Script Of National Minorities (»Narodne novine« Nr. 51/00) cease to be valid.
(2) On the day of entering into force of this Constitutional Act the provision of the Article 9 of the Act on election of the members of representative bodies of local and regional self-government units (»Narodne novine« Nr. 33/01) cease to be implemented, in the part regulating the election of members of representative bodies of local and regional self-government units from members of national minorities, and also the provision of the Article 61 of the Act on election of the members of representative bodies of local and regional self-government units cease to be valid.
Article 44
On the day of entering into force of this Constitutional Act the Constitutional Act on Rights and Freedoms of Ethnic and National Communities or Minorities in the Republic of Croatia ( »Narodne novine« Nr. 65/91, 27/92, 34/92 - final text, 51/00 and 105/00 - final text) ceases to be valid.
Article 45
This Constitutional Act enters into force on the day of its publishing in »Narodne novine».
Zagreb, 13th December 2002
The Croatian Parliament
President Of the Croatian Parliament
Zlatko Tomčić, m.p.
© GC
Ustavni zakon o pravima nacionalnih manjina
(pročišćeni tekst NN 155/02, 47/10, 80/10, 91/11, 91/11)
I. TEMELJNE ODREDBE
Članak 1.
Republika Hrvatska u skladu sa:
– Ustavom Republike Hrvatske
– načelima Povelje Ujedinjenih naroda,
– Općom deklaracijom o pravima čovjeka, Međunarodnim paktom o građanskim i političkim pravima, Međunarod nim paktom o gospodarskim, socijalnim i kulturnim pravima,
– Završnim aktom Organizacije za europsku sigurnost i suradnju, Pariškom Poveljom za Novu Europu i drugim dokumentima OESS-a koji se odnose na prava čovjeka, osobito Dokumentom kopenhaškog sastanka OESS-a o ljudskoj dimenziji i Dokumentom moskovskog sastanka OESS-a o ljud skoj dimenziji,
– Konvencijom Vijeća Europe za zaštitu prava čovjeka i temeljnih sloboda, te protokolima uz tu Konvenciju,
– Međunarodnom konvencijom o ukidanju svih oblika rasne diskriminacije, Konvencijom o sprečavanju i kažnjavanju zločina genocida, Konvencijom o pravima djeteta,
– Deklaracijom o ukidanju svih oblika nesnošljivosti i diskriminacije na temelju vjere i uvjerenja,
– Konvencijom o borbi protiv diskriminacije u oblasti prosvjete,
– Deklaracijom UN o pravima osoba pripadnika nacionalnih ili etničkih, vjerskih i jezičnih manjina,
– Okvirnom konvencijom o zaštiti nacionalnih manjina Vije ća Europe,
– Europskom poveljom o regionalnim i manjinskim jezicima,
– Europskom poveljom o lokalnoj /mjesnoj/ samoupravi,
– Instrumentima SEI za zaštitu manjinskih prava,
– Preporuka iz Lunda o učinkovitom sudjelovanju nacionalnih manjina u javnom životu
obvezuje se na poštivanje i zaštitu prava nacionalnih manjina i drugih temeljnih prava i sloboda čovjeka i građanina, vladavine prava i svih ostalih najviših vrednota svog ustavnog i međuna rod noga pravnog poretka, svim svojim državljanima.
Članak 2.
Pored ljudskih prava i sloboda koje su priznate ustavnim odredbama, Republika Hrvatska priznaje i štiti i sva ostala prava predviđena u međunarodnim dokumentima iz članka 1. ovoga Ustavnog zakona, ovisno o iznimkama i ograničenjima predvi đenim ovim dokumentima, bez diskriminacije po spolu, rasi, boji kože, jeziku, vjeroispovjesti, političkom i drugom uvjerenju, nacionalnom i društvenom porijeklu, povezanosti s nacionalnom manjinom, vlasništvu, statusu naslijeđenom rođenjem ili po nekoj drugoj osnovi sukladno članku 14. i 17. stavku 3. Ustava Republike Hrvatske.
Članak 3.
(1) Prava i slobode osoba koje pripadaju nacionalnim manjinama (u daljnjem tekstu: pripadnici nacionalne manjine), kao temeljna ljudska prava i slobode, nedjeljiv su dio demokratskog sustava Republike Hrvatske i uživaju potrebnu potporu i zaštitu, uključujući pozitivne mjere u korist nacionalnih manjina.
(2) Etnička i multikulturna raznolikost i duh razumijevanja, uvažavanja i tolerancije doprinose promicanju razvoja Republike Hrvatske.
Članak 4.
(1) Svaki državljanin Republike Hrvatske ima: pravo slobodno se izjasniti da je pripadnik neke nacionalne manjine u Republici Hrvatskoj; pravo ostvarivati sam ili zajedno s drugim pripadnicima te nacionalne manjine ili zajedno s pripadnicima drugih nacionalnih manjina prava i slobode propisane ovim Ustavnim zakonom i druga manjinska prava i slobode propisana posebnim zakonima.
(2) Pripadnici nacionalnih manjina ostvaruju, jednako kao i drugi građani Republike Hrvatske, prava i slobode utvrđene Ustavom Republike Hrvatske, te prava i slobode propisane ovim Ustavnim zakonom i posebnim zakonima.
(3) Prava i slobode propisane ovim Ustavnim zakonom i prava i slobode pripadnika nacionalnih manjina propisana posebnim zakonima, nacionalne manjine i njihovi pripadnici ostvaruju na način i pod uvjetima propisanim ovim Ustavnim zakonom i posebnim zakonima.
(4) Zabranjuje se bilo kakva diskriminacija temeljena na pripadnosti nacionalnoj manjini. Pripadnicima nacionalnih manjina jamči se jednakost pred zakonom i jednaka pravna zaštita.
(5) Zabranjeno je poduzimanje mjera kojima se mijenja omjer među stanovništvom na područjima nastanjenima osobama koje pripadaju nacionalnim manjinama, a koje su usmjerene na otežavanje ostvarivanja ili ograničavanje prava i sloboda propisanih ovim Ustavnim zakonom i posebnim zakonima.
(6) Ovim Ustavnim zakonom ili posebnim zakonom je moguće ostvarivanje određenih prava i sloboda utvrditi ovisno o brojčanoj zastupljenosti pripadnika nacionalnih manjina u Republici Hrvatskoj ili na nekom njenom području, stečenim pravima i međunarodnim ugovorima koji, sukladno Ustavu Republike Hrvatske, čine dio unutarnjeg pravnog poretka Republike Hrvat ske.
Članak 5.
Nacionalna manjina, u smislu ovoga Ustavnog zakona, je skupina hrvatskih državljana čiji pripadnici su tradicionalno nastanjeni na teritoriju Republike Hrvatske, a njeni članovi imaju etnička, jezična, kulturna i/ili vjerska obilježja različita od drugih građana i vodi ih želja za očuvanjem tih obilježja.
Članak 6.
(1) Republika Hrvatska može s drugim državama sklapati međunarodne ugovore kojima će urediti pitanja prava i sloboda pripadnika nacionalnih manjina u Republici Hrvatskoj.
(2) Prilikom sklapanja međunarodnih ugovora iz stavka 1. ovog članka Republika Hrvatska će se zalagati da se njima stvaraju i unaprjeđuju uvjeti potrebni za održavanje i razvijanje kulture pripadnika nacionalnih manjina, te očuvanje bitnih sastojnica njihove samobitnosti, odnosno njihove vjere, jezika, tradicije i kulturne baštine.
Članak 7.
Republika Hrvatska osigurava ostvarivanje posebnih prava i sloboda pripadnika nacionalnih manjina koja oni uživaju pojedinačno ili zajedno s drugim osobama koje pripadaju istoj nacionalnoj manjini, a kada je to određeno ovim Ustavnim zakonom ili posebnim zakonom, zajedno s pripadnicima drugih nacionalnih manjina, naročito:
1. služenje svojim jezikom i pismom, privatno i u javnoj uporabi, te u službenoj uporabi;
2. odgoj i obrazovanje na jeziku i pismu kojim se služe;
3. uporabu svojih znamenja i simbola;
4. kulturna autonomija održavanjem, razvojem i iskazivanjem vlastite kulture, te očuvanja i zaštite svojih kulturnih dobara i tradicije;
5. pravo na očitovanje svoje vjere te na osnivanje vjerskih zajednica zajedno s drugim pripadnicima te vjere;
6. pristup sredstvima javnog priopćavanja i obavljanja djelatnosti javnog priopćavanja (primanje i širenje informacija) na jeziku i pismu kojim se služe;
7. samoorganiziranje i udruživanje radi ostvarivanja zajed nič kih interesa;
8. zastupljenost u predstavničkim tijelima na državnoj i lokalnoj razini, te u upravnim i pravosudnim tijelima;
9. sudjelovanje pripadnika nacionalnih manjina u javnom životu i upravljanju lokalnim poslovima putem vijeća i predstavnika nacionalnih manjina;
10. zaštitu od svake djelatnosti koja ugrožava ili može ugroziti njihov opstanak, ostvarivanje prava i sloboda.
Članak 8.
Odredbe ovoga Ustavnog zakona i odredbe posebnih zakona kojima se uređuju prava i slobode pripadnika nacionalnih manjina moraju se tumačiti i primjenjivati sa svrhom poštivanja pripadnika nacionalnih manjina i hrvatskog naroda, razvijanja razumijevanja, solidarnosti, snošljivosti i dijaloga među njima.
II. PRAVA I SLOBODE
Članak 9.
(1) Pripadnici nacionalnih manjina imaju pravo koristiti svoje prezime i ime na jeziku kojim se služe, te da ono bude službeno priznato njima i njihovoj djeci upisom u matične knjige i druge službene isprave, u skladu s propisima Republike Hrvat ske.
(2) Pripadnici nacionalnih manjina imaju pravo da se obrazac osobne iskaznice tiska i popunjava i na jeziku i pismu kojim se služe.
Članak 10.
Pripadnici nacionalnih manjina imaju pravo slobodno služiti se svojim jezikom i pismom, privatno i javno, uključujući pravo na jeziku i pismu kojim se služe isticati oznake, napise i druge informacije u skladu sa zakonom.
Članak 11.
(1) Pravo je pripadnika nacionalnih manjina na odgoj i obrazovanje na svom jeziku i pismu kojim se služe.
(2) Odgoj i obrazovanje pripadnika nacionalne manjine obavlja se u predškolskim ustanovama, osnovnim i srednjim školama te drugim školskim ustanovama (u daljnjem tekstu: školska ustanova) s nastavom na jeziku i pismu kojim se služe, pod uvjetima i na način propisanim posebnim zakonom o odgoju i obrazovanju na jeziku i pismu nacionalnih manjina.
(3) Školske ustanove s nastavom na jeziku i pismu nacionalne manjine mogu se osnivati, te odgoj i obrazovanje provoditi za manji broj učenika od onog koji je propisan za školske ustanove s nastavom na hrvatskom jeziku i pismu.
(4) Nastavni plan i program odgoja i obrazovanja na jeziku i pismu nacionalne manjine uz opći dio obvezno sadrži dio čiji je sadržaj u vezi s posebnošću nacionalne manjine (materinski jezik, književnost, povijest, zemljopis i kulturno stvaralaštvo nacionalne manjine).
(5) Pravo je i obveza učenika koji se odgajaju i obrazuju na jeziku i pismu nacionalnih manjina da uz svoj jezik i pismo uče hrvatski jezik i latinično pismo prema utvrđenom nastavnom planu i programu.
(6) Odgojno obrazovni rad u školskoj ustanovi s nastavom na jeziku i pismu nacionalne manjine obavljaju nastavnici iz reda nacionalne manjine koji potpuno vladaju jezikom i pismom nacionalne manjine, odnosno nastavnici koji nisu iz redova nacionalne manjine, a potpuno vladaju jezikom i pismom nacionalne manjine.
(7) Visoka učilišta organiziraju provođenje programa školovanja odgajatelja, učitelja i nastavnika za obavljanje poslova odgoja i obrazovanja na jeziku i pismu kojim se služe nacionalne manjine u dijelu koji sadrži posebnosti nacionalne manjine (materinski jezik, književnost, povijest, zemljopis i kulturno stvara laš tvo nacionalne manjine).
(8) Pripadnici nacionalnih manjina mogu radi provođenja odgoja i obrazovanja pripadnika nacionalnih manjina, na način i pod uvjetima propisanim zakonima, osnivati predškolske ustanove, osnovne i srednje škole i visoka učilišta.
(9) Učenicima školske ustanove na hrvatskom jeziku i pismu omogućit će se učenje jezika i pisma nacionalne manjine na način propisan posebnim zakonom, prema utvrđenom nastavnom programu od strane nadležnog središnjeg tijela državne uprave, uz osiguranje financijskih sredstava u državnom proračunu i proračunima jedinica lokalne samouprave.
Članak 12.
(1) Ravnopravna službena uporaba jezika i pisma kojim se služe pripadnici nacionalne manjine ostvaruje se na području jedinice lokalne samouprave kada pripadnici pojedine nacionalne manjine čine najmanje trećinu stanovnika takve jedinice.
(2) Ravnopravna službena uporaba jezika i pisma kojim se služe pripadnici nacionalne manjine ostvaruje se i kada je to predviđeno međunarodnim ugovorima koji, sukladno Ustavu Republike Hrvatske, čine dio unutarnjeg pravnog poretka Republike Hrvatske i kada je to propisano statutom jedinice lokalne samouprave ili statutom jedinice područne (regionalne) samouprave u skladu s odredbama posebnog zakona o uporabi jezika i pisma nacionalnih manjina u Republici Hrvatskoj.
(3) Ostali uvjeti i način službene uporabe jezika i pisma kojim se služe pripadnici nacionalne manjine u predstavničkim i izvršnim tijelima i u postupku pred upravnim tijelima jedinica lokalne samouprave i jedinica područne (regionalne) samouprave; u postupku pred tijelima državne uprave prvog stupnja, u postupku pred sudbenim tijelima prvog stupnja; u postupcima koje vode Državno odvjetništvo i javni bilježnici, te pravne osobe koje imaju javne ovlasti, uređuju se posebnim zakonom o uporabi jezika i pisma nacionalnih manjina.
Članak 13.
Zakonom kojim se uređuje uporaba jezika i pisma nacionalnih manjina i/ili statutima jedinica lokalne samouprave propisuju se mjere koje omogućuju na područjima tradicionalno ili u znatnijem broju naseljenim pripadnicima nacionalnih manjina očuvanje tradicijskih naziva i oznaka te davanje naziva naseljima, ulicama i trgovima imena osoba i događaja od značaja za povijest i kulturu nacionalne manjine u Republici Hrvatskoj.
Članak 14.
(1) Slobodna je uporaba znamenja i simbola nacionalnih manjina i obilježavanje praznika nacionalnih manjina.
(2) Uz službenu uporabu znamenja i simbola Republike Hrvatske nacionalne manjine mogu isticati odgovarajuće znamenje i simbole nacionalnih manjina. Kada se izvodi himna i/ili svečana pjesma nacionalne manjine, obvezatno se prije nje izvodi himna Republike Hrvatske.
(3) Jedinice lokalne samouprave i područne (regionalne) samouprave dužne su statutom propisati službenu uporabu i način korištenja zastave i simbola nacionalnih manjina.
Članak 15.
(1) Pripadnici nacionalnih manjina radi očuvanja, razvoja, promicanja i iskazivanja svog nacionalnog i kulturnog identiteta mogu osnivati udruge, zaklade i fundacije te ustanove za obavljanje djelatnosti javnog priopćavanja, kulturne, izdavačke (nakladničke), muzejske, arhivske, knjižnične i znanstvene djelatnosti.
(2) Republika Hrvatska, jedinice lokalne samouprave i po dručne (regionalne) samouprave sukladno svojim moguć nostima, financiraju djelovanje institucija iz stavka 1. ovoga članka.
(3) Udruge, zaklade, fundacije i ustanove iz stavka 1. ovoga članka mogu u nazivu iskazivati da su nacionalne manjine njihovi osnivači.
Članak 16.
(1) Pripadnici nacionalnih manjina, njihove udruge i vijeća nacionalnih manjina odnosno predstavnici nacionalnih manjina slobodno održavaju veze s narodom s kojim dijele ista etnička, jezična, kulturna i/ili vjerska obilježja, te s pravnim osobama sa sjedištem na području države tog naroda koje obavljaju djelatnosti odgoja i obrazovanja, znanosti, kulture, nakladničke (izda vačke) i humanitarne djelatnosti.
(2) Udruge pripadnika nacionalnih manjina i vijeća nacionalnih manjina odnosno predstavnici nacionalnih manjina mogu od tijela države naroda s kojim dijele obilježja iz stavka 1. ovog članka i od pravnih osoba te države primati bez plaćanja carine novine, časopise, knjige, filmove, videokasete, nosače zvuka, u ograničenom broju primjeraka, koje koriste za svoje potrebe, i mogu ih, bez plaćanja naknade, dijeliti pripadnicima nacionalne manjine.
(3) Udruge pripadnika nacionalnih manjina mogu za pripadnike nacionalnih manjina organizirati gostovanja profesionalnih i amaterskih kulturnoumjetničkih grupa, te organizirati druge kulturne i umjetničke priredbe i izložbe koje pridonose obogaćivanju kulture i identiteta nacionalne manjine. U ovakvim slučajevima strane osobe koje sudjeluju u provođenju priredbi i izložbi ne moraju imati radnu dozvolu.
(4) Pripadnici nacionalnih manjina mogu slobodno izražavati svoju vjersku pripadnost i očitovati svoju vjeru te u skladu s tim pripadati vjerskoj zajednici.
Članak 17.
(1) Na temelju zakona i provedbenih propisa kojima se uređuju djelatnosti javnog priopćavanja, proizvodnje i emitiranja radijskog i televizijskog programa, odgoja i obrazovanja, muzejska, arhivska i knjižnička djelatnost, te zaštita i očuvanje kulturnih dobara stvaraju se uvjeti za upoznavanje svih državljana Republike Hrvatske, osobito djece i mladeži kroz sadržaj odgojnog i obrazovnog rada i obvezne i izborne predmete obrazovanja, s poviješću, kulturom i vjerom nacionalnih manjina.
(2) U cilju ostvarivanja odredbe stavka 1. ovog članka poduzimat će se mjere koje će pripadnicima nacionalnih manjina olakšati pristup medijima.
Članak 18.
(1) Postaje radija i televizije na državnoj, regionalnoj i lokalnoj razini imaju zadaću promicati razumijevanje za pripadnike nacionalnih manjina, proizvoditi i/ili emitirati emisije namijenjene informiranju pripadnika nacionalnih manjina na jezicima nacionalnih manjina, stvaranje i emitiranje programa kojima se potiče i unaprjeđuje održavanje, razvoj i iskazivanje kulturne, vjerske i druge samobitnosti nacionalnih manjina, očuvanje i zaštita njihovih kulturnih dobara i tradicije, te stvaranje i emitiranje programa kojima se pripadnici nacionalne manjine na tom prostoru upoznaju s radom i zadaćama njihova vijeća nacionalnih manjina i predstavnika nacionalnih manjina. Pravne osobe koje obavljaju djelatnost javnog priopćavanja (tisak, radio i televizija) omogućit će udrugama pripadnika nacionalnih manjina i institucijama nacionalnih manjina sudjelovanje u stvaranju programa namijenjenog nacionalnim manjinama.
(2) U državnom proračunu i proračunima jedinica lokalne i područne (regionalne) samouprave osiguravaju se sredstva za sufinanciranje programa radio i televizijskih postaja u njihovom vlasništvu namijenjenih nacionalnim manjinama, sukladno mo guć nostima i prema kriterijima koje utvrdi Vlada Republike Hrvatske na prijedlog Savjeta za nacionalne manjine, odnosno nadležna tijela jedinica lokalne i područne (regionalne) samouprave na prijedlog vijeća nacionalnih manjina.
(3) U cilju ostvarivanja prava pripadnika nacionalnih manjina na informiranje putem tiska te radija i televizije na pismu i jeziku nacionalne manjine pripadnici nacionalnih manjina, njihova vijeća nacionalnih manjina i predstavnici nacionalnih manjina, njihove udruge mogu obavljati djelatnost javnog priopćavanja (izdavati novine, proizvoditi i emitirati radijski i televizijski program i obavljati djelatnost novinskih agencija) u skladu sa zakonom.
Članak 19.
(1) Republika Hrvatska jamči pripadnicima nacionalnih manjina prava na zastupljenost u Hrvatskom saboru.
(2) Pripadnici nacionalnih manjina, biraju najmanje pet a najviše osam svojih zastupnika u posebnim izbornim jedinicama, u skladu sa zakonom kojim se uređuje izbor zastupnika u Hrvatski sabor, a čime ne mogu biti umanjena stečena prava nacionalnih manjina.
(3) Pripadnicima nacionalnih manjina koji u ukupnom stanovništvu Republike Hrvatske sudjeluju s više od 1,5% stanovnika jamči se najmanje jedno, a najviše tri zastupnička mjesta pripadnika te nacionalne manjine, u skladu sa zakonom kojim se uređuje izbor zastupnika u Hrvatski sabor.
(4) Pripadnici nacionalnih manjina, koji u ukupnom stanovništvu Republike Hrvatske sudjeluju s manje od 1,5% stanovnika imaju pravo izabrati najmanje četiri zastupnika pripadnika nacionalnih manjina, u skladu sa zakonom kojim se uređuje izbor zastupnika u Hrvatski sabor.
Članak 20.
(1) Republika Hrvatska jamči pripadnicima nacionalnih manjina pravo na zastupljenost u predstavničkim tijelima jedinica lokalne samouprave i predstavničkim tijelima jedinica područne (regionalne) samouprave.
(2) Ako u predstavničko tijelo jedinice lokalne samouprave na temelju općeg biračkog prava ne bude izabran bar jedan član pripadnik neke od nacionalnih manjina koje u stanovništvu jedinice lokalne samouprave sudjeluju s više od 5%, a s manje od 15%, broj članova predstavničkog tijela jedinice lokalne samouprave povećat će se za jednog člana, a izabranim će se smatrati onaj pripadnik nacionalne manjine koji nije izabran prvi po redu prema razmjernom uspjehu svake liste na izborima ako zakonom kojim se uređuje izbor članova predstavničkog tijela jedinice lokalne samouprave nije drugačije određeno.
(3) Ako u predstavničkom tijelu jedinice lokalne samouprave na temelju općeg biračkog prava ne bude osigurana zastupljenost onoliko članova pripadnika nacionalne manjine, koja u stanovništvu jedinice lokalne samouprave sudjeluje s najmanje 15%, koliko osigurava zastupljenost pripadnika te nacionalne manjine srazmjerno njenom udjelu u stanovništvu jedinice lokalne samouprave, broj članova predstavničkog tijela jedinice povećat će se do broja koji je potreban da bi zastupljenost bila ostvarena, a izabranim će se smatrati oni pripadnici određene manjine koji nisu izabrani, po redu prema razmjernom uspjehu svake liste na izborima ako zakonom kojim se uređuje izbor članova predstavničkog tijela jedinice lokalne samouprave nije drugačije određeno.
(4) Ako u predstavničkom tijelu jedinice područne (regionalne) samouprave na temelju općeg biračkog prava ne bude osigurana zastupljenost onoliko članova pripadnika nacionalne manjine koja u stanovništvu te jedinice sudjeluje s više od 5%, koliko im osigurava zastupljenost srazmjerno njihovom udjelu u stanovniš tvu jedinice područne (regionalne) samouprave, broj članova predstavničkog tijela jedinice povećat će se do broja koji je potreban da bi zastupljenost bila ostvarena, a izabranim će se smatrati oni pripadnici određene manjine koji nisu izabrani, po redu prema razmjernom uspjehu svake liste na izborima ako zakonom kojim se uređuje izbor članova predstavničkog tijela jedinice područne (regionalne) samouprave nije drugačije određeno.
(5) Ako se ni primjenom odredbi stavaka 2. i 3. ovoga članka ne postigne zastupljenost predstavnika nacionalnih manjina u predstavničkom tijelu jedinice lokalne samouprave, odnosno ako se ni primjenom odredbi stavka 4. ovoga članka ne postigne zastupljenost predstavnika nacionalnih manjina u predstavničkom tijelu jedinice područne (regionalne) samouprave, u skladu s ovim odredbama, u jedinici samouprave raspisat će se dopunski izbori.
(6) Kandidiranje i izbor članova predstavničkog tijela jedinice lokalne samouprave odnosno jedinice područne (regionalne) samouprave prema odredbama stavaka 2., 3., 4. i 5. ovoga članka uređuje se zakonom kojim se uređuje izbor članova predstav ničkih tijela jedinica lokalne i područne (regionalne) samouprave.
(7) Za određivanje broja pripadnika nacionalne manjine radi provođenja odredbi ovoga članka mjerodavni su službeni rezultati popisa stanovništva. Prije provođenja svakih izbora, službeni rezultati popisa stanovništva o broju pripadnika nacionalnih manjina u jedinici lokalne samouprave, odnosno jedinici područne (regionalne) samouprave korigiraju se (uvećavaju ili umanjuju) za onaj broj birača koji su upisani ili brisani iz popisa birača te jedinice od popisa stanovništva do posljednjega potvrđenog popisa birača.
Članak 21.
Jedinice lokalne samouprave i jedinice područne (regionalne) samouprave u kojima pripadnici nacionalnih manjina ne čine većinu stanovništva mogu svojim statutima odrediti da se u predstavničko tijelo jedinice lokalne samouprave odnosno jedinice područne (regionalne) samouprave biraju pripadnici nacionalnih manjina ili veći broj pripadnika nacionalnih manjina nego što proizlazi iz njihovog udjela u ukupnom stanovništvu jedinice.
Članak 22.
(1) U jedinici lokalne samouprave i jedinici područne (regionalne) samouprave (u daljnjem tekstu: jedinica samouprave) u kojoj se prema odredbama ovog Ustavnog zakona treba osigurati srazmjerna zastupljenost članova njenog predstavničkog tijela iz reda pripadnika nacionalnih manjina osigurava se zastupljenost predstavnika nacionalne manjine u njenom izvršnom tijelu.
(2) Pripadnicima nacionalnih manjina osigurava se zastupljenost u tijelima državne uprave i pravosudnim tijelima sukladno odredbama posebnog zakona i drugih akata o politici zapošljavanja u tim tijelima, vodeći računa o sudjelovanju pripadnika nacionalnih manjina u ukupnom stanovništvu na razini na kojoj je ustrojeno tijelo državne uprave ili pravosudno tijelo i stečenim pravima.
(3) Pripadnicima nacionalnih manjina osigurava se zastupljenost u tijelima uprave jedinica samouprave sukladno odredbama posebnog zakona kojim se uređuje lokalna i područna (regionalna) samouprava i drugih akata o politici zapošljavanja u tim tijelima i sukladno stečenim pravima.
(4) U popunjavanju mjesta iz stavka 2. i 3. ovoga članka, prednost pod istim uvjetima imaju predstavnici nacionalnih ma njina.
III. VIJEĆA I PREDSTAVNICI NACIONALNIH MANJINA U JEDINICAMA SAMOUPRAVE
Članak 23.
S ciljem unaprjeđivanja, očuvanja i zaštite položaja nacionalnih manjina u društvu pripadnici nacionalnih manjina biraju, na način i pod uvjetima propisanim ovim Ustavnim zakonom, svoje predstavnike radi sudjelovanja u javnom životu i upravljanju lokalnim poslovima putem vijeća i predstavnika nacionalnih manjina u jedinicama samouprave.
Članak 24.
(1) U jedinicama samouprave na čijem području pripadnici pojedine nacionalne manjine sudjeluju s najmanje 1,5% u ukupnom stanovništvu jedinice samouprave, u jedinicama lokalne samouprave na čijem području živi više od 200 pripadnika pojedine nacionalne manjine, te u jedinicama područne (regionalne) samouprave na čijem području živi više od 500 pripadnika nacionalne manjine, pripadnici svake takove nacionalne manjine mogu izabrati vijeće nacionalnih manjina.
(2) U vijeća nacionalnih manjina općine bira se 10 članova, u vijeća nacionalnih manjina grada bira se 15, a u vijeće nacionalnih manjina županije bira se 25 članova pripadnika nacionalne manjine.
(3) U slučajevima kada nije ispunjen barem jedan od uvjeta iz stavka 1. ovoga članka za izbor vijeća nacionalnih manjina, a na području jedinice samouprave živi najmanje 100 pripadnika nacionalne manjine, za područje ovakove jedinice samouprave bira se predstavnik nacionalnih manjina.
(4) Kandidate za članove vijeća nacionalnih manjina odnosno kandidate za predstavnike nacionalnih manjina mogu predlagati udruge nacionalnih manjina ili najmanje 20 pripadnika nacionalne manjine s područja općine, odnosno 30 s područja grada i 50 s područja županije.
(5) Članovi vijeća nacionalnih manjina i predstavnici nacionalnih manjina biraju se neposredno tajnim glasovanjem za razdoblje od četiri godine, a na postupak izbora i druga pitanja u svezi s njihovim izborom shodno se primjenjuju odredbe zakona kojim se uređuje izbor članova predstavničkih tijela jedinica lokalne samouprave.
(6) Za određivanje broja pripadnika nacionalne manjine radi provođenja odredbi ovoga članka mjerodavan je popis stanov ništva korigiran (uvećan ili umanjen) za onaj broj birača koji su upisani ili brisani iz popisa birača koji se sastavlja radi izbora članova predstavničkih tijela jedinica lokalne samouprave.
Članak 25.
(1) Vijeće nacionalne manjine je neprofitna pravna osoba. Svojstvo pravne osobe stječe upisom u registar vijeća nacionalnih manjina kojeg vodi ministarstvo nadležno za poslove opće uprave.
(2) Za svoje obveze vijeće nacionalne manjine odgovara svojom cjelokupnom imovinom.
(3) Naziv vijeća nacionalne manjine mora biti na hrvatskom jeziku i latiničnom pismu, te na jeziku i pismu kojim se služi nacionalna manjina koja je osnovala vijeće.
(4) Naziv vijeća nacionalne manjine mora sadržavati oznaku nacionalne manjine i oznaku područja za koje je izabrana.
(5) Ministar nadležan za poslove opće uprave propisat će pravilnikom sadržaj registra vijeća nacionalnih manjina i način njegova vođenja, te obrazac zahtjeva za upis u registar vijeća nacionalnih manjina.
Članak 26.
Članovi vijeća nacionalne manjine tajnim glasovanjem biraju predsjednika vijeća. Vijeće nacionalne manjine bira i osobu koja će zamjenjivati predsjednika vijeća u slučaju njegove odsutnosti ili spriječenosti.
Članak 27.
(1) Vijeće nacionalne manjine donosi program rada, financijski plan i završni račun, te statut kojim se uređuju pitanja od značaja za rad vijeća.
(2) Predsjednik vijeća nacionalne manjine predstavlja i zastupa vijeće, saziva sjednice vijeća i ima prava i obveze određene statutom vijeća.
(3) Statut, program rada, financijski plan i završni račun vijeće nacionalne manjine donosi većinom glasova svih članova.
(4) Statut, financijski plan i završni račun vijeća nacionalnih manjina objavljuju se u službenom glasilu jedinice lokalne ili područne (regionalne) samouprave za čije je područje osnovano.
Članak 28.
(1) Jedinice samouprave osiguravaju sredstva za rad vijeća nacionalnih manjina, uključujući sredstva za obavljanje administrativnih poslova za njihove potrebe, a mogu osigurati i sredstva za provođenje određenih aktivnosti utvrđenih programom rada vijeća nacionalne manjine.
(2) Sredstva za ostvarivanje određenih programa vijeća nacionalnih manjina mogu se osigurati i u državnom proračunu Republike Hrvatske.
Članak 29.
(1) Sredstva koja vijeće nacionalne manjine ostvari od svoje imovine; od donacija, poklona, nasljedstva; ili po drugom osnovu, mogu se koristiti samo za djelatnosti i poslove od značaja za nacionalnu manjinu utvrđenih u programu rada vijeća nacionalne manjine.
(2) Sredstva koja vijeće nacionalne manjine ostvari iz državnog proračuna Republike Hrvatske ili proračuna jedinice samouprave mogu se koristiti isključivo za namjene određene prora čunom i zakonom, odnosno odlukom kojima se uređuje izvršenje proračuna, odnosno za namjene, kada se radi o sredstvima državnog proračuna Republike Hrvatske, koje odredi Savjet za nacionalne manjine.
(3) Kada vijeće nacionalne manjine nabavlja robe ili usluge ili izvodi radove sredstvima iz stavka 2. ovoga članka može ih koristiti samo pod uvjetima i na način propisan Zakonom o javnoj nabavi.
Članak 30.
(1) Članovi vijeća nacionalne manjine svoje dužnosti obavljaju, u pravilu, na dragovoljnoj osnovi i s pažnjom dobrog gospodara.
(2) Članovi vijeća nacionalne manjine iz sredstava vijeća mogu primati samo naknadu troškova koje su imali u obavljanju poslova za vijeće i nagradu, za mjesečno ili neko drugo razdoblje ako to odobri i do visine koju odobri ministar nadležan za opću upravu.
Članak 31.
(1) Vijeća nacionalnih manjina u jedinici samouprave imaju pravo:
– predlagati tijelima jedinice samouprave mjere za unaprjeđivanje položaja nacionalne manjine u državi ili na nekom njenom području, uključujući davanje prijedloga općih akata kojima se uređuju pitanja od značaja za nacionalnu manjinu tijelima koja ih donose;
– isticati kandidate za dužnosti u tijelima državne uprave i tijelima jedinica samouprave;
– biti obaviješteni o svakom pitanju o kome će raspravljati radna tijela predstavničkog tijela jedinice samouprave, a tiče se položaja nacionalne manjine;
– davati mišljenja i prijedloge na programe radijskih i televizijskih postaja na lokalnoj i regionalnoj razini namijenjene nacionalnim manjinama ili na programe koji se odnose na manjinska pitanja.
(2) Tijela jedinica samouprave svojim općim aktima uredit će način, rokove i postupak ostvarivanja prava utvrđenih u stavku 1. ovoga članka.
Članak 32.
(1) Poglavarstvo jedinice samouprave dužno je u pripremi prijedloga općih akata od vijeća nacionalnih manjina osnovanih za njeno područje zatražiti mišljenje i prijedloge o odredbama kojima se uređuju prava i slobode nacionalnih manjina.
(2) Ako vijeće nacionalne manjine smatra da je opći akt jedinice samouprave ili neka njegova odredba protivan Ustavu, ovomu Ustavnom zakonu ili posebnim zakonima kojima se uređuju prava i slobode nacionalnih manjina, dužna je o tome odmah obavijestiti ministarstvo nadležno za opću upravu. Obavijest o tome uputit će i poglavarstvu jedinice samouprave i Savjetu za nacionalne manjine.
(3) Ministarstvo nadležno za opću upravu, ako ocijeni da je opći akt iz stavka 2. ovoga članka ili neka njegova odredba protivan Ustavu, ovomu Ustavnom zakonu ili posebnim zakonima kojima se uređuju prava i slobode nacionalnih manjina, obustavit će, u roku od osam dana, njegovu primjenu.
(4) Odluka o obustavi od primjene dostavlja se bez odgađanja općinskom načelniku, gradonačelniku, odnosno županu, predsjedniku predstavničkog tijela koje je opći akt donijelo, a obavijest o donošenju odluke dostavlja Savjetu za nacionalne manjine i vijeću nacionalne manjine na temelju čije je obavijesti odluka donijeta.
(5) Ministarstvo nadležno za opću upravu proslijeđuje Vladi Republike Hrvatske odluku o obustavi od primjene općeg akta s prijedlogom za pokretanje postupka za ocjenu suglasnosti s Ustavom i zakonom pred Ustavnim sudom Republike Hrvatske i o tome obavještava jedinicu samouprave.
(6) Obustava od primjene općeg akta prestaje ako Vlada Republike Hrvatske ne pokrene postupak iz stavka 5. ovoga članka u roku od 30 dana od dana zaprimanja odluke iz stavka 5. ovoga članka.
Članak 33.
(1) Dva ili više vijeća nacionalnih manjina osnovanih u istoj jedinici lokalne samouprave, dva ili više vijeća nacionalnih manjina osnovanih u različitim jedinicama lokalne samouprave, dva ili više vijeća nacionalnih manjina osnovanih u istoj jedinici područne (regionalne) samouprave te dva ili više vijeća nacionalnih manjina osnovanih u različitim jedinicama područne (regionalne) samouprave mogu radi usklađivanja ili unaprjeđivanja zajedničkih interesa osnovati koordinacije vijeća nacionalnih manjina.
(2) Vijeća nacionalnih manjina kroz koordinaciju vijeća nacionalnih manjina usaglašavaju stavove o pitanjima iz svog djelokruga.
(3) Vijeća nacionalnih manjina mogu koordinaciju vijeća nacionalnih manjina ovlastiti da poduzima u njihovo ime pojedine mjere iz članka 31. ovoga Ustavnog zakona.
(4) Smatra se da su vijeća nacionalnih manjina jedinica područne (regionalne) samouprave osnovale koordinaciju vijeća nacionalnih manjina za područje Republike Hrvatske kada je sporazumu o osnivanju ove koordinacije pristupilo više od polovine vijeća nacionalnih manjina područne (regionalne) samouprave.
(5) Koordinacija vijeća nacionalnih manjina za područje Republike Hrvatske iz stavka 4. ovoga članka je neprofitna pravna osoba. Svojstvo pravne osobe stječe upisom u registar kojeg vodi ministarstvo nadležno za poslove opće uprave. Način rada i financiranja koordinacija uređuju se zakonom.
(6) Izabrana nacionalna vijeća nacionalnih manjina djeluju kao koordinacija vijeća nacionalnih manjina.
(7) Koordinacija vijeća nacionalnih manjina koju su vijeća nacionalnih manjina jedinica područne (regionalne) samouprave osnovale za područja Republike Hrvatske može donositi odluke o znamenju i simbolima nacionalnih manjina i način obilježavanja praznika nacionalnih manjina uz suglasnost Savjeta za nacionalne manjine.
Članak 34.
(1) Predstavnik nacionalne manjine svoje poslove obavlja pod nazivom koji mora biti na hrvatskom jeziku i latiničnom pismu te na jeziku i pismu kojim se služi nacionalna manjina koja ga je izabrala i koji sadrži oznaku područja za koje je izabran.
(2) Predstavnik nacionalne manjine otvara račun sredstava koja se koriste za ostvarivanje manjinskih prava na području jedinice lokalne samouprave za koju je izabran, za financijski plan korištenja tih sredstava i završni račun tih sredstava. Financijski plan i završni račun sredstava koja se koriste za ostvarivanje manjinskih prava objavljuju se u službenom glasilu jedinice lokalne samouprave za čije područje je izabran manjinski predstavnik.
(3) Na predstavnika nacionalne manjine te njegove ovlasti i obveze odgovarajuće se primjenjuju odredbe članaka 28., 29., 30., 31., 32. i 33. ovoga Ustavnog zakona.
IV. SAVJET ZA NACIONALNE MANJINE
Članak 35.
(1) Osniva se Savjet za nacionalne manjine, radi sudjelovanja nacionalnih manjina u javnom životu Republike Hrvatske, a osobito radi razmatranja i predlaganja uređivanja i rješavanja pitanja u svezi s ostvarivanjem i zaštitom prava i sloboda nacionalnih manjina. U tom cilju Savjet surađuje s nadležnim državnim tijelima i tijelima jedinica samouprave, vijećima nacionalnih manjina, odnosno predstavnicima nacionalnih manjina, udrugama nacionalnih manjina i pravnim osobama koje obavljaju djelatnosti kojima se ostvaruju manjinska prava i slobode.
(2) Savjet za nacionalne manjine ima pravo:
– predlagati tijelima državne vlasti da rasprave pojedina pitanja od značenja za nacionalnu manjinu, a osobito provođenje ovoga Ustavnog zakona i posebnih zakona kojima su uređena manjinska prava i slobode;
– predlagati tijelima državne vlasti mjere za unaprjeđivanje položaja nacionalne manjine u državi ili na nekom njenom području;
– davati mišljenja i prijedloge o programima javnih radio postaja i javne televizije namijenjenih nacionalnim manjinama, te o tretiranju manjinskih pitanja u programima javnih radio postaja i javne televizije i drugim sredstvima priopćavanja;
– predlagati poduzimanje gospodarskih, socijalnih i drugih mjera na područjima tradicionalno ili u znatnijem broju nastanjenim pripadnicima nacionalnih manjina kako bi se očuvalo njihovo postojanje na tim područjima,
– tražiti i dobiti od tijela državne vlasti i tijela lokalne i područne (regionalne) samouprave podatke i izvješća potrebna za razmatranje pitanja iz svoga djelokruga;
– pozivati i tražiti nazočnost predstavnika tijela državne vlasti i tijela lokalne i područne (regionalne) samouprave, u čiju nadležnost spadaju pitanja iz djelokruga Savjeta utvrđena ovim Ustavnim zakonom i statutom Savjeta.
(3) Savjet za nacionalne manjine surađuje u pitanjima od interesa za nacionalne manjine u Republici Hrvatskoj s nadležnim tijelima međunarodnih organizacija i institucija koje se bave pitanjima nacionalnih manjina, kao i s nadležnim tijelima matičnih država pripadnika nacionalnih manjina u Republici Hrvatskoj.
(4) Savjet za nacionalne manjine raspoređuje sredstva koja se u državnom proračunu osiguravaju za potrebe nacionalnih manjina. Korisnici sredstava podnose Savjetu godišnja izvješća o trošenju sredstava koja su im doznačena iz državnog proračuna, o čemu Savjet izvješćuje Vladu Republike Hrvatske i Hrvatski sabor.
(5) Ako u roku od 90 dana od donošenja državnoga proračuna, Savjet za nacionalne manjine ne donese odluku o rasporedu sredstava iz stavka 4. ovoga članka, odluku o tome donosi Vlada Republike Hrvatske.
Članak 36.
(1) Članove Savjeta za nacionalne manjine imenuje Vlada Republike Hrvatske na vrijeme od četiri godine i to:
– sedam članova pripadnika nacionalnih manjina iz reda osoba koje predlože vijeća nacionalnih manjina,
– pet članova pripadnika nacionalnih manjina iz reda istaknutih kulturnih, znanstvenih, stručnih, vjerskih djelatnika iz reda osoba koje predlože manjinske udruge i druge organizacije manjina, vjerske zajednice, pravne osobe i građani pripadnici nacionalnih manjina.
(2) Članovi Savjeta za nacionalne manjine su i zastupnici nacionalnih manjina u Hrvatskom saboru.
(3) Savjet za nacionalne manjine ima predsjednika i dva potpredsjednika koje imenuje Vlada Republike Hrvatske iz redova članova Savjeta. Jedan od njih obavezno je član Savjeta iz redova nacionalne manjine koja u ukupnom stanovništvu Republike Hrvatske sudjeluje s više od 1,5%.
(4) Prilikom imenovanja članova Savjeta za nacionalne manjine Vlada Republike Hrvatske vodit će računa o udjelu pripadnika pojedinih nacionalnih manjina u ukupnom stanovništvu Republike Hrvatske, kao i o tome da sastav Savjeta odražava njihovu samobitnost i osobitost, te povijesne vrijednosti, etničku, kulturnu i svaku drugu raznolikost.
(5) Predsjednik i potpredsjednici Savjeta za nacionalne manjine svoju dužnost obavljaju profesionalno, a predsjednik Savjeta je i predstojnik stručne službe Savjeta.
(6) Za obavljanje stručnih i administrativnih poslova za Savjet za nacionalne manjine Vlada Republike Hrvatske osnovat će stručnu službu Savjeta i odrediti okvirni broj njenih službenika i namještenika.
(7) Savjet za nacionalne manjine ima statut koji donosi uz suglasnost Vlade Republike Hrvatske. Statutom se pobliže uređuje djelokrug i organizacija rada Savjeta.
(8) Savjet za nacionalne manjine donosi program rada, financijski plan, završni račun i odluke o raspoređivanju sredstava koja se u državnom proračunu osiguravaju za potrebe nacionalnih manjina.
(9) Savjet za nacionalne manjine će donijeti pravilnik o unutarnjem redu stručne službe Savjeta na prijedlog predsjednika Savjeta.
(10) Savjet za nacionalne manjine odlučuje većinom svih članova.
(11) Program rada Savjeta za nacionalne manjine, financijski plan i završni račun sredstava Savjeta za nacionalne manjine, te akti kojima Savjet za nacionalne manjine raspoređuje sredstva koja se u državnom proračunu osiguravaju za potrebe nacionalnih manjina, objavljuju se u »Narodnim novinama«.
V. NADZOR
Članak 37.
(1) Ostvarivanje prava i sloboda nacionalnih manjina zajamčenih Ustavom, ovim Ustavnim zakonom i posebnim zakonima nadziru tijela državne uprave u pitanjima iz svog djelokruga.
(2) Vlada Republike Hrvatske usklađuje rad tijela državne uprave u primjeni ovog Ustavnog zakona i posebnih zakona koji uređuju pitanja od značenja za nacionalne manjine.
(3) Najmanje jednom godišnje Vlada Republike Hrvatske podnosi Hrvatskom saboru izvješće o provođenju ovoga Ustavnog zakona i o utrošku sredstava koja se u državnom proračunu osiguravaju za potrebe nacionalnih manjina, a Savjet za nacionalne manjine Hrvatskom saboru odnosno njegovom radnom tijelu u čijem je djelokrugu ostvarivanje prava nacionalnih manjina podnosi polugodišnje izvješće o pitanjima koja su u djelokrugu Savjeta te kvartalno izvješće o utrošku sredstava koja su u državnom proračunu osigurana za potrebe nacionalnih manjina.
Članak 38.
(1) Vijeća nacionalnih manjina odnosno predstavnici nacionalnih manjina u jedinici samouprave mogu zatražiti od nadležnog tijela državne uprave da provede nadzor nad primjenom ovoga Ustavnog zakona i posebnih zakona kojima su uređena prava i slobode nacionalnih manjina od strane tijela jedinica samouprave u kojima su osnovane i da poduzmu mjere za zakonito postupanje tih tijela, o čemu obavještava Savjet za nacionalne manjine koji je dužan o svom stajalištu izvijestiti vijeća nacionalnih manjina odnosno predstavnika nacionalnih manjina.
(2) Savjet za nacionalne manjine može zatražiti od Vlade Republike Hrvatske da provede nadzor nad primjenom ovoga Ustavnog zakona i posebnih zakona kojima su uređena prava i slobode nacionalnih manjina od strane tijela državne uprave i da poduzme mjere za zakonito postupanje tih tijela.
(3) Ukinut.
VI. PRIJELAZNE I ZAVRŠNE ODREDBE
Članak 39.
(1) Odredba članka 19. ovoga Ustavnog zakona primjenjivat će se od dana stupanja na snagu zakona kojim će sukladno ovoj odredbi biti uređen izbor zastupnika u Hrvatski sabor.
(2) Predstavnička tijela jedinica lokalne i područne (regionalne) samouprave kojima je mandat u tijeku, a u kojima nije ostvareno pravo na zastupljenost predstavnika manjina sukladno odredbama članka 20. ovoga Ustavnog zakona, popunit će se odgovarajućim brojem članova pripadnika nacionalnih manjina u roku od 90 dana od dana stupanja na snagu ovoga Ustavnog zakona.
Članak 40.
Ništa se u ovome Ustavnom zakonu neće tumačiti kao da uključuje bilo kakvo pravo na obavljanje bilo kakve djelatnosti ili izvršavanje čina suprotnih temeljnim načelima međunarodnog prava, te posebice suverenosti, jedinstvenosti, teritorijalne cjelovitosti i nezavisnosti Republike Hrvatske.
Članak 41.
Ovim se Ustavnim zakonom ne mijenjaju niti ukidaju prava nacionalnih manjina utvrđena međunarodnim ugovorima koji, sukladno Ustavu Republike Hrvatske čine dio unutarnjeg pravnog poretka Republike Hrvatske.
Članak 42.
(1) Vlada Republike Hrvatske imenovat će članove Savjeta za nacionalne manjine te predsjednika i potpredsjednike Savjeta najkasnije u roku od 90 dana od dana stupanja na snagu ovoga Ustavnog zakona.
(2) Ako do isteka roka iz stavka 1. ovoga članka ne budu osnovana vijeća nacionalnih manjina ili ako ta vijeća ne predlože Vladi Republike Hrvatske kandidate za članove Savjeta za nacionalne manjine, Savjet za nacionalne manjine činit će članovi imenovani prema odredbi članka 36. stavka 1. podstavka drugog i članovi određeni prema odredbi članka 36. stavka 2. ovoga Ustavnog zakona.
(3) Do osnivanja Stručne službe Savjeta za nacionalne manjine stručne i administrativne poslove za Savjet za nacionalne manjine obavljat će Ured za nacionalne manjine Vlade Republike Hrvatske.
Članak 43.
(1) Danom stupanja na snagu ovoga Ustavnog zakona prestaje važiti odredba članka 4. stavka 1. točke 1. Zakona o uporabi jezika i pisma nacionalnih manjina (»Narodne novine«, br. 51/00.).
(2) Danom stupanja na snagu ovoga Ustavnog zakona prestaje se primjenjivati odredba članka 9. Zakona o izboru članova predstavničkih tijela jedinica lokalne i područne (regionalne) samouprave (»Narodne novine«, br. 33/01.) u dijelu u kojem propisuje izbor članova predstavničkih tijela jedinica lokalne samouprave i jedinica područne (regionalne) samouprave iz reda pripadnika nacionalnih manjina i prestaje važiti odredba članka 61. Zakona o izboru članova predstavničkih tijela jedinica lokalne i područne (regionalne) samouprave.
Članak 44.
Danom stupanja na snagu ovoga Ustavnog zakona prestaje važiti Ustavni zakon o ljudskim pravima i slobodama i o pravima etničkih i nacionalnih zajednica ili manjina u Republici Hrvatskoj (»Narodne novine«, br. 65/91., 27/92., 34/92. – pročišćeni tekst, 51/00. i 105/00. – pročišćeni tekst).
Članak 45.
Ovaj Ustavni zakon stupa na snagu danom objave u »Narod nim novinama«.
Klasa: 016– 01/02– 01/01
Zagreb, 13. prosinca 2002.
© GC