E/CN.4/1999/15 page 7 discrimination, hatred or violence towards any individual or group of individuals solely by reason of their racial or ethnic origin or their religion, shall be guilty of a criminal offence and shall be liable to imprisonment for a maximum of two years or a maximum fine of 1,000 Cyprus pounds, or both. (2) Anyone who establishes an organization or participates in an organization whose purpose is to promote organized propaganda or any activity intended to incite racial discrimination shall be guilty of a criminal offence and shall be liable to the penalties referred to in paragraph (1). (3) Anyone who, either orally, through the medium of the press or any document or representation, or by any other means, publicly expresses ideas that are offensive to any individual or group of individuals by reason of their racial or ethnic origin or their religion, shall be guilty of a criminal offence and shall be liable to imprisonment for a maximum of one year or a maximum fine of 500 Cyprus pounds, or both. (4) Anyone whose profession consists in supplying goods or services who refuses to serve an individual solely by reason of their racial or ethnic origin or their religion, or who sets conditions relating to racial or ethnic origin or religion, shall be guilty of a criminal offence and shall be liable to imprisonment for a maximum of one year or a maximum fine of 400 Cyprus pounds, or both.” B. Croatia 13. Article 14 of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia guarantees everyone effective protection against all acts of racial discrimination that constitute a violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms contrary to the Constitution. To this end there are legal guarantees which ensure non-discrimination and make provision for preferential measures in areas where the identity of a particular group needs to be preserved. 14. Croatian society comprises different ethnic and religious groups and addresses their needs by promoting diversity, pluralism and integration of minorities. This is achieved by permitting each citizen to take part in the common welfare of the Republic. With this aim in mind, special attention is devoted to the exercise of human rights in the context of ethnic and national communities or minorities. The Republic of Croatia provides for the full and specific protection of all national or ethnic communities and minorities residing in its territory by guaranteeing their right to promote their customs, tradition and culture and preserve their language in both spoken and written form. These guarantees are laid down in the Constitution and further detailed in laws and by-laws. The majority of specific minority rights are guaranteed through the Constitutional Act on Human Rights and the Rights of Ethnic and National Minorities or Communities. 15. In the aftermath of the armed conflict waged against Croatia between 1991 and 1995, which unleashed ethnic and xenophobic violence and