According to the latest ECRI report, Croatia has reinforced some criminal law provisions designed to combat racism and some Labour Code provisions prohibiting discrimination.
"The government has made some headway in favour of national minorities, setting up the Commission for the Return of Refugees and Displaced Persons and the Restitution of Property to assist the return process."
Croatia was commended for adopting a law on asylum in 2003 and measures to combat trafficking in human beings.
In October 2003 the authorities also adopted a National Programme for the Roma, the report said, adding that a Commission of Experts Working on Combating Discrimination began its work in 2004, preparing a National Strategy against all Forms of Discrimination.
However, a number of recommendations made in the second ECRI report have not been implemented or have only been partially implemented, read the latest report.
"Every effort should be made to facilitate the return of refugees and displaced persons," notably regarding housing, said the report.
"Interethnic violence and racist attacks continue, albeit to a lesser extent, but do not always receive the requisite attention from the authorities."
The report said that the "current civil and administrative law provisions are not sufficient to prohibit discrimination in all areas of life. There is no national body specialising in combating racism and racial discrimination, although people, notably those belonging to national minorities, still suffer from racial discrimination".
The ECRI also pointed to problems surrounding the acquisition of nationality encountered by persons of non-Croatian origin who have lived in the country for a long time.
"Although the level of intolerance in the media decreased, the overall results are not satisfactory," the report read.
The ECRI urged the adoption of supplementary measures to restore fairness in the administration of justice, notably between Croats and non-Croats, mostly Serbs.
"It is important to foster mutual respect between ethnic communities and to make the general public aware of the need to combat racism," said the report, encouraging the authorities to reinforce the measures taken to counter discrimination against Roma.
"Criminal law should be strengthened to counter racism and intolerance, and the implementation of the existing criminal law provisions should be strengthened," said the report.
The authorities are also urged to take steps to adopt an immigration policy and protect the rights of asylum-seekers and refugees more effectively.
The report stated that the ECRI, which operates within the Council of Europe, is an independent human rights monitoring body, composed of independent and impartial members.
The ECRI also said its reports are not the result of inquiries or testimonial evidence, but analyses based on a great deal of information gathered from a wide variety of sources -- documents are based on national and international written sources, in situ visits, meetings with governmental and nongovernmental representatives, and confidential dialogue with the national authorities.