The Republic of Croatia ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms on November 7, 1997. After ratification, all state bodies are obliged to apply the Convention directly to their work. This rule applies equally to domestic courts which, although in their work are independent, make decisions based on the Constitution, international treaties, laws and other valid sources of law. Consequently, domestic courts are obliged to provide the protection of individual rights of individuals. In cases where such protection is omitted from domestic bodies, the European Court of Human Rights will provide the protection of injured rights. Among the most important rights guaranteed by the Convention, a special place holds the right to respect for personal and family life (Article 8 of the Convention). Article 8 states that everyone has the right to respect for his or her private and family life, home and correspondence and that the public authority shall not interfere in the exercise of that right except in accordance with the law and if it is necessary in a democratic society for the interest of public security, public order the welfare or the country's economic well-being, and to prevent disorder or crime in order to protect the health or morals or to protect the rights and freedoms of others.