European Court says Croatia violated Roma rights

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Source: BBC

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Croatia discriminated against Roma pupils by segregating them in Roma-only primary school classes.

The Croatian state had argued that the separate classes were intended to help Roma catch up with other pupils. Fifteen former pupils of Roma origin had alleged that the arrangement was a form of racial discrimination and violated their right to education.

Croatia has been told to pay each one 4,500 euros (£4,075) in damages. Eight years have passed since the pupils first argued their case in Croatia - which is currently negotiating accession to the European Union.

The court judgement says the drop-out rate among Roma children in primary school was 84%. "The court held that no adequate safeguards had been put in place at the relevant time to ensure sufficient care for the applicants' special needs as members of a disadvantaged group," the ruling said.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8570418.stm

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1. good on the European Court of Human Rights

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