The Roma children whose rights will be discussed in Strasbourg attend separate, exclusively Roma classes in regular elementary schools, which the HHO says represents discrimination and segregation which is contrary to Croatian laws and numerous international human rights standards.
The HHO maintains the discrimination is based on racial and ethnic grounds, the prevalent anti-Roma climate, and the impossibility of local and national authorities to rectify this.
The HHO recalls that the children's parents pressed charges before domestic courts. Two courts rejected the charges, which prompted the parents to seek help at the Constitutional Court, whose decision is pending.
"The impossibility to obtain justice prompted the children to refer to the European Court of Human Rights," read the HHO press release.
The HHO says the syllabi for Roma children are significantly limited when compared to prescribed programmes, which causes Roma children considerable educational, psychological and emotional damage.
Citing official Government figures, the HHO said that nearly 60 percent of Roma children in Medjimurje County attend exclusively Roma classes.