Croatia and European Court of Human Rights

On 5 November 1997 The Republic of Croatia ratified European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. With this act the Republic of Croatia acknowledged the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights in receiving requests from any natural person, non-governmental association or a group of individuals claiming to be victims of abuse of rights acknowledged in the Convention committed by the Republic of Croatia.

Besides,  with this act the Republic of Croatia engaged to subject itself to final verdict of the European Court on Human Rights in each dispute where it takes place as a party.

European Court of Human Rights functions as a part of one of the the oldest European organisations- Council of Europe, and its seat is in Strasbourg in France. It is founded with the view of providing additional strength to the Convention. Founders of the Convention thought necessary that the states that accepted the Convention accept the jurisdiction of an independent international court that would observe on compliance of human rights in those states.

Any persons or groups of persons can contact the European Court on Human Rights if they believe any of the states that accepted the European Convention  witheld any of the rights guaranteed by the Convention. The injured parties send their complaints on any of the states  in written form, and the court proceeding starts with that act. The rules of procedure are regulated by Ordinance of the Court and European Convention.

When the Republic of Croatia participates in proceeding presented to the European Court on Human Rights as a respondent party or as a third party, it is advocated by the representative.  Representative is appointed by the Government of the Republic of Croatia and he is liable to Representative has a function of the director of the Office that is based in the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Croatia.

All judgements and decisions of the European Court on Human rights regarding the Republic of Croatia are translated into Croatian and can be read on the webpage of the Ministry of justice in ''European courts practice''. The original texts are available on the wepage of the European court on human rights. On that page you can also find decisions and judgements regarding other states and other information on activities of the European Court on Human Rights.

Here you can download the form for submitting charges to the European Court on Human Rights.