Topic: Rights of Immigrants
Country: Croatia
Delegate Name: Merrick Perpich
School: Ann Arbor Community High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Croatia position papers GLIMUN 2012 committees
In the today’s modern world, the migrations of persons from one country to another are increasingly more frequent for a variety of reason. Every nation approach’s this issue in their own way, and so we must distinguish our selves from those who are open to immigration and those who may employ more restrictive policies pertaining to immigrants
The republic of Croatia’s immigration policy is largely shaped by the fact that Croatia is a country that has one of the largest Diasporas in the world. Since the large emigration of the Croatian people after World War II took place, after the Croatian government established independence in 1991 it shaped a migration policy that is supposed to stimulate the emigrants to return to Croatia.
Due to the hope that the people that once emigrated out of Croatia will immigrate back in, Croatia classifies them selves as a “pro-immigration” country. The Croatian constitution has many provisions that would apply to immigrants; Article 32 states that persons lawfully within the territory of the Republic of Croatia shall enjoy the liberty of movement and freedom to choose their own residence. This same provision allows citizens the right to leave Croatia at any time, and the right to return when they please. This provision only applies to those who are actual Croatian citizens. According to article 10 of the Croatian constitution, however, the right to leave and enter the country as they please can be restricted during situations where it is necessary for the protection of the legal order, health, rights and freedoms of others. Article 33 states that migrants lawfully within the territory of Croatia shall only be extradited to another state in pursuance of a decision made in accordance with a treaty and law. This same article also guarantees stateless persons and foreign citizens the right to obtain asylum in the Republic of Croatia. This right does not extend to those who have been prosecuted for nonpolitical crimes, or activities inconsistent with the basic principles of international law. It should also be stated that the Republic of Croatia aligns with the European Union on this issue, and since harmonizing with them has seen significant improvement in regulating migration, asylum and similar issues.
