ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL RIGHTS

Economic rights

Entrepreneurial freedom and the market-based regulation of economic relations are the backbone of all successful economies.

Duties of the state

The state must:

1. ensure that certain rules of conduct are upheld in market competition between various economic subjects, so that all entrepreneurs may enjoy an equal legal position in the market

2. the state must use its regulatory powers to prevent the abuse of a monopolistic situation

Instruments of economic policy

Modern states use various instruments of economic policy to intervene in market relations, including taxes, customs, subsidies and state investments

Such a role of the state is particularly emphasized in severe economic crises

Economic rights of workers

Workers are entitled to fair remuneration which may be claimed individually or through trade unions and other organizations

Social rights

The right of employees and members of their families to social security and social insurance

The formation of trade unions The protection of families, children and

persons with disabilities

Cultural rights

Most modern constitutions provide for citizens’ cultural rights, such as the right to education, scientific, cultural and artistic creativity, physical education and sports, as well as the right to a healthy life with an emphasis on the protection of public health, nature and a healthy environment

Constitution

The system of laws and principles according to which a country is governed

The rules and practices that determine the composition and functions of the organs of government and regulate the relationship between the individual and the state

The Constitution of the Republic of Croatia

Economic rights

The Constitution of the Republic of Croatia

Adopted on December 22, 1990 Revisions: November 1997, 2000 and

2001

Constitutional revisions

The abolition of the House of Counties Transformation of the semi-presidential

into the parliamentary system Regulation of the voting rights of

citizens (dual citizenship)

Translate Article 48:

The right of ownership shall be guaranteed Ownership implies obligations. Owners and

users of property shall contribute to the general welfare

A foreign person may acquire property under conditions spelled out by law.

The right of inheritance shall be guaranteed.

Jamči se pravo vlasništva. Vlasništvo obvezuje. Nositelji

vlasničkog prava i njihovi korisnici dužni su pridonositi općem dobru.

Strana osoba može stjecati pravo vlasništva uz uvjete određene zakonom.

Jamči se pravo nasljeđivanja.

Ownership

The exclusive right to use, possess, and dispose of property, subject only to the rights of persons having a superior interest and to any restrictions on the owner’s rights imposed by agreement with or by act of third parties or by operation of law

Translate Article 49:

Enterpreneural and market freedom shall be the basis of the economic system of the Republic of Croatia

The State shall ensure all entrepreneurs an equal status on the market. Abuse of the monopoly position defined by law shall be forbidden.

The State shall stimulate economic progress and social welfare and shall care of the economic development of all its regions.

Poduzetnička i tržišna sloboda temelj su gospodarskog ustroja Republike Hrvatske.

Država osigurava svim poduzetnicima jednak pravni položaj na tržištu. Zabranjena je zlouporaba monopolskog položaja određenog zakonom.

Država potiče gospodarski napredak i socijalno blagostanje građana i brine se za gospodarski razvitak svih svojih krajeva.

Market freedom

Economic system in which the prices depend on how many items are available and how many people want to buy them, rather than prices getting fixed by governments

Supply and demand are not regulated or are regulated with minor restrictions

Monopoly

Control of all the market for a product or service

Possession of, or control over, something which is not shared by others

Translate Article 49:

The rights acquired through the investment of capital shall not be diminished by law, or by other legal act.

Foreign investors shall be guaranteed free transfer and repatriation of profits and the capital invested.

Prava stečena ulaganjem kapitala ne mogu se umanjiti zakonom niti drugim pravnim aktom.

Inozemnom ulagaču jamči se slobodno iznošenje dobiti i uloženog kapitala.

Translate Article 50:

Property may, in the interest of the Republic of Croatia, be restricted or expropriated by law upon payment of compensation equal to its market value.

The exercise of enterpreneurial freedom and property rights may exceptionally be restricted by law for the purposes of protecting the interests and security of the Republic of Croatia, nature, the environment and public health.

Zakonom je moguće u interesu Republike Hrvatske ograničiti ili oduzeti vlasništvo, uz naknadu tržišne vrijednosti.

Poduzetnička se sloboda i vlasnička prava mogu iznimno ograničiti zakonom radi zaštite interesa i sigurnosti Republike Hrvatske, prirode, ljudskog okoliša i zdravlja ljudi.

Expropriation

The taking by the state of private property for public purposes.

Translate Article 51:

Everyone shall participate in the defrayment of public expenses in accordance with his or her economic capabilities.

The system of taxation shall be based on the principles of equality and equity.

Svatko je dužan sudjelovati u podmirenju javnih troškova, u skladu sa svojim gospodarskim mogućnostima.

Porezni se sustav temelji na načelima jednakosti i pravednosti.

Vocabulary

Holders of the right of ownership – nositelji vlasničkih prava Conditions spelled out by law – uvjeti propisani zakonom The right of inheritance – pravo nasljeđivanja Entrepreneurial freedom – poduzetnička sloboda Entrepreneur - poduzetnik Market freedom – tržišna sloboda Social welfare – socijalno blagostanje Investor – ulagač Expropriation – izvlaštenje, oduzimanje vlasništva Principle of equity – načelo pravičnosti

Translate the following:

U drugom stavku članka 48 Ustav određuje: ''Vlasništvo obvezuje. Nositelji vlasničkog prava i njihovi korisnici dužni su pridonositi općem dobru.'' Vlasništvo, dakle, nije samo pravo raspolagati svojom imovinom, već i dužnost pridonositi općem dobru razmjerno opsegu te imovine. Ta norma predstavlja ustavni temelj za zakonsko uređivanje poreznih obveza na temelju vlasništva.

A suggested translation

In the Paragraph 2 of Article 48 the Constitution provides: "Ownership implies obligations. Owners and users of property shall contribute to the general welfare." Ownership, therefore, is not just the right to dispose of one's own property, but also a duty to contribute to the general welfare in proportion with the scope of that property. That norm represents the constitutional ground for the legal regulation of tax obligations based on ownership.

Thank you for your attention!