The concept of human rights and freedoms and their basic division is described in this paper. Primarily, the legal and institutional framework of their promotion and protection in the Republic of Croatia is described. According to legal framework, rights and freedoms are guaranteed by the fundamental state act – Constitution, then by laws and other legal acts. The Republic of Croatia is member of Council of Europe, so the state has signed the (European) Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The European Court of Human Rights based in Strasbourg is established by the Convention. This Court decides about individual or international claims which refer to the violation of all rights that are guaranteed by the Convention. As the European Union member since 2013, the Republic of Croatia coordinates its legal acts with the European Union acquis which includes the European Convention on Human Rights. According to institutional framework, Constitutional Court, ombudsman, specialized ombudsman can be mentioned. Croatian Parliament and Croatian Government have commitees and offices which promote and protect fundamental human rights. Citizens participate through non-government, non-profit and independent civil associations. State institutions and civil associations present reports about human rights in state once or more times a year, in which they cite current problems and suggest different ways of their solution. On the one hand, legal framework is well-regulated, but on the other hand, exercising of human rights in state is far from ideal. Nevertheless, the shortcomings must be removed and citizens' awareness has to be improved. As the result, effectiveness of human rights protection would be improved.