The Rights of Children with Disabilities - the Rights of Children with Problems of Mental Health

The most vulnerable individuals in society are children and people with disabilities who need special protection from the society. When these two categories are merged together, we are talking about the most vulnerable groups in society - children with disabilities. In the (international) legal terminology, children with disabilities are defined as children with physical and mental disabilities, to which the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia and the Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees the right to a decent life, in conditions that develop the child's independence and active participation in the community, and special care, assistance and protection, both by parents and by the state. Children with developmental disabilities have the right to education, health care and rehabilitation for the purpose of social integration and individual development, like all others. Likewise, the „Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities“ guarantees special protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms to children with disabilities as well as any other child. It is the duty of every country that has signed the international agreements, including the Republic of Croatia, to fulfil their commitments. This work presents fundamental rights which children with disabilities are guaranteed at the international and national level, assessments of international institutions on the exercise of these rights in the Republic of Croatia.