The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Croatia did not discriminate against Roma pupils by putting them in separate classes at school

The children, now aged between 14 and 20, said they suffered psychologically and practically, as they were taught only a third of the curriculum. But the court said they were separated only until their language improved. In Croatia, as in many east European countries, it is common practice for Roma (Gypsies) to be placed in either special classes, or in some cases, in special schools. The schools argue that the children often do not speak the national language well enough to keep up with their fellow pupils, and that the special classes are designed to help them catch up.