The number, status and organizational aspects of Serbs in Zagreb

In: Stanovništvo: Population = Naselenie, Band 51, Heft 1, S. 43-68

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the basic characteristics regarding
number, as well as normative and functional status, i.e. legal and
institutional status of Serbs in Zagreb. Furthermore, the paper describes
some distinctions among organizational levels of Serbian minority in Zagreb,
concerning the most important aspects of socio-cultural, educational and
religious integration. Serbian minority members? number in Croatia and Zagreb
is analyzed using an official demographic statistics, focusing primarily on
major socio-demographic indicators, on population density and ethnic
composition data for the population of Zagreb municipality for the period of
1981-2011. Legal position of the Serbian minority in Zagreb is described
using analysis of official documents, including legislative framework
provisions, which are related to issues of national minorities? status and
rights. Institutional and organizational status is elucidated by using
descriptive analysis of cultural, educational, media and religious aspects of
minority?s life. The number of Serbs in Croatia decreased drastically in last
twenty years, affecting their number being reduced to approximately one-third
of the prewar number. In the period 1981 to 2011 there was a continuous
increase of number and proportion of Croatian majority population, and
continuous reduction of national minorities in Zagreb. The biggest percentile
decreasing in the municipality of Zagreb (during period 1991-2001) have
undergone members of the Serbian (57.7%), Slovenian (48.9%), and Montenegrin
(43.7%) minority. In the case of Serbs, this is primarily and predominantly a
consequence of forced emigration (displacement) induced by the war in the
1990s. Moreover, negative demographic trends together with a possibility of
?false? national declaration in census, as well as the relentless process of
assimilation are counted as specific factors in reducing the number of
national minorities? members. Status of Serbs as the former "constituent
people/ethnicity" in Socialist Republic of Croatia was modified in the status
of "national minority" in (Democratic) Republic of Croatia, due to
constitutional changes in 1990. Today, in accordance with the provisions of
the Constitutional Law on National Minorities in 2002 national minorities in
Croatia enjoy the rights in the area of cultural (linguistic, educational and
religious) autonomy. Implementation of these rights still faces many problems
in everyday praxis, which is reflected in organizational aspects and levels
of Serbs in Zagreb. Cultural, artistic, and educational associations and
initiatives among Serbian minority organize activities that contribute to
promotion, preservation and expressing specific national minority?s identity.
Although satisfactory level of normative (legal) integration does not
guarantee functional integration of minorities into wider socio-economic,
cultural and political matrix, that normative integration, along with
political will and favorable social climate, sets an essential precondition
for the willingness to implement laws and regulations in order to improve
Serbian minority status.