Hate speech and/or discrimination on ethnic grounds was especially evident in the attempt to prevent Roma citizens to settle in Skabrnja, in Split Mayor Zeljko Kerum's recent statements against Serbs on a Croatian Television talk show, and in the attempt in Gornji Hrascan to prevent Roma children from attending preschool classes, Josipovic's office said in a statement.
The recent calls for segregation and hate speech in Gornji Hrascan are particularly unacceptable because they were directed at preschool children who are especially vulnerable, the statement said.
The president expects all state bodies to ensure, within the Constitution and the law, the equality of all citizens and prevent hate speech and any discrimination or segregation.
All children in Croatia must have equal opportunities and no one, especially not a child, must be discriminated against on ethnic, religious or any other grounds. This is one of the fundamental constitutional principles which everyone should protect, notably all state institutions, the statement said.