A „typical image“ of Southeast Europe or “the Western Balkans” and its population and problems in literary terms was pictured by the author Karl May.
Even today, the word „Balkan“ as a collective term for Albania and the successor states to Yugoslavia (with the exception of Slovenia) holds the potential for conflict.
Only by showing the linguistic problem, we see, there is a high potential of geographical, juridical, political, social and communication problems in the context of this region.
On approaching the multiethnic structure of Southeast Europe and its willingness for accession – including integration measures – to the EU and considering the potential for conflict regarding the political and geographical classification, it becomes more than obvious that the current state of affairs is multi-layered and difficult.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Roma – a national minority in Europe
III. The European position on the situation of Roma with regard to the EU accession process
IV. Minority protection of Roma in Croatia
1. Citizenship
2. Constitution
3. Language & Education
4. Access tot the labour market
V. Prospect
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the complex socio-legal status of the Roma minority in Southeast Europe, with a specific focus on the challenges and developments regarding their integration in Croatia within the context of European Union accession criteria.
- The historical and social perception of the "Balkans" and Southeast Europe.
- Definitions and legal recognition of the Roma as a national minority in Europe.
- European Union policies, accession criteria (Copenhagen criteria), and the effectiveness of Roma integration strategies.
- Case study of Croatia: Analyzing citizenship laws, constitutional frameworks, and educational challenges.
- Barriers to labor market integration and the role of anti-Roma discrimination.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Citizenship
According to the latest census of 2001, 4.481.352 million citizens declared their ethnicity as follows: Croats 89,6%, Serbs 4,5%, Bosnians 0,47%, Italians 0,44%, Hungarians 0,37%, Albanians 0,34%, Slovenes 0,3%, Czechs 0,24 and Roma 0,24%. Thus, this is a number of 9.463 Roma in Croatia. However, unofficial estimates, which start from the assumption of up to 150.000 or even 300.000 people, seem unlikely. But 40.000 to 50.000 seem to be realistic. All other rather small minority groups (between 12 and 5000 people) account for 4.1% of the population.
The main problem of Roma in Croatia is the hopelessness to obtain the Croatian citizenship. Citizenship was denied to many Roma from other parts of the former Republic of Yugoslavia, due to the new Croatian Law on Citizenship 1991.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: Discusses the historical and literary perceptions of the "Balkans" and outlines the terminology used to define the region in the context of EU enlargement.
II. Roma – a national minority in Europe: Provides an overview of the Roma population across Europe and explores the conceptual difficulties in legally defining them as a protected "national minority."
III. The European position on the situation of Roma with regard to the EU accession process: Analyzes the role of EU institutions and accession criteria in pushing candidate countries to address Roma discrimination and social exclusion.
IV. Minority protection of Roma in Croatia: Investigates the specific status of Roma in Croatia, covering obstacles in citizenship, constitutional recognition, access to education, and labor market participation.
V. Prospect: Summarizes the need for both top-down policy measures and bottom-up emancipation, concluding that true integration requires a shift in how societies perceive and support the Roma community.
Keywords
Roma, Southeast Europe, Croatia, Minority Protection, EU Accession, Copenhagen Criteria, Citizenship, Social Discrimination, Education, Labor Market, Human Rights, Antiziganism, Integration, National Minority, Political Persecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper primarily explores the socio-legal situation of the Roma people in Southeast Europe, specifically analyzing the challenges they face in obtaining rights and integration within Croatia.
What are the central thematic areas covered in this study?
The core themes include legal definitions of minorities, the impact of EU enlargement and accession criteria on Roma rights, and specific domestic issues in Croatia such as citizenship, education, and employment barriers.
What is the main objective or research question of this work?
The objective is to reveal the discrepancy between formal EU-demanded protections and the actual lived reality of the Roma minority, particularly highlighting the "inadequate situation" in Croatia.
Which scientific or analytical methods were used?
The work utilizes a combination of legal analysis (treaties, constitutional law), socio-political assessment of EU policy, and a review of census data and human rights reports.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers historical terminology, international definitions of minorities, comparative European institutional responses, and a detailed look at the Croatian legal and educational landscape regarding the Roma.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Roma, Southeast Europe, Croatia, EU accession, minority protection, citizenship, and social discrimination.
How does the 2010 European Court of Human Rights decision affect the status of Roma in Croatia?
The court condemned Croatia for the segregation of Roma children in primary schools, identifying this as a violation of human rights and a landmark case for Roma vulnerability.
What is the "citizenship politics" issue mentioned in the text?
It refers to the systemic denial of citizenship to many Roma who originated from other parts of the former Yugoslavia, leaving approximately 60,000 to 100,000 Roma in Croatia stateless.
- Quote paper
- Mag. Dr., LL.M., Mediatorin (FH) Caroline Wähner (Author), 2013, Protection of Minorities in South Eastern Europe. Roma in Croatia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/903601
