Today, 8 April 2009, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) issue the following joint call to governments, intergovernmental organisations and civil society to step up their efforts in tackling the human rights violations that the Roma continue to face in Europe.
As we celebrate the International Roma Day, our organisations are deeply concerned by the continuing discriminatory treatment and exclusion of the Roma, and particularly by the recent escalation in hate motivated incidents and racist rhetoric reported in a number of States. In times of economic crisis, communities such as the Roma, along with migrants and other vulnerable groups, tend to become easy ‘scapegoats’ for extremist movements and populist politicians. Such ‘scapegoating’ has already resulted in damaging inter-ethnic relations and an increase in the number of violent hate crimes in some countries. As the economic crisis deepens, political leaders in any State need to unequivocally and publicly condemn all forms of violence targeting the Roma. In order to avoid inciting ethnic tensions, politicians and other public figures must carefully consider their statements, and journalists must apply ethical reporting rules in their articles or radio/TV programmes. Together, we strongly condemn all forms of discrimination and violence against the Roma and call for concerted action from the responsible authorities at all levels in this regard.
In spite of the existence of strong anti-discrimination legislation and policies to promote the inclusion of the Roma in many countries, evidence shows that discrimination against the Roma persists, notably in education, employment, health care, housing, and access to justice and public services. Roma women and children are particularly vulnerable. Segregation in education, a particularly egregious type of discrimination violating the right of Roma children to access quality education and diminishing their employment prospects, endures in several states.
The continuing marginalisation and exclusion of the Roma represents a push-factor for recent migration movements, which have become one of the key challenges in Europe today. The biased portrayal of Roma migrants in the media and political misuse of the image of the Roma have contributed to discrimination and ill-treatment of the Roma in some countries. Roma with citizenship in an EU country have the right to move and reside freely within the EU, but nevertheless often face discriminatory treatment. We are particularly concerned about racial profiling of Roma in some States and the potential violation of their freedom of movement and human rights. The FRA, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, the OSCE/ODIHR and the OSCE HCNM will therefore pay increased attention to migration-related challenges and assist States in addressing migration while ensuring the effective protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Roma.
Our institutions, based on their specific mandates, will continue to review Roma-related policies, measure their impact, identify good practices and assist States in developing and implementing sustainable integration policies. Partnership with the Roma communities must be one of the guiding principles for the design and implementation of such policies and programmes.
The designation of 8 April as International Roma Day dates back to the fourth congress of the International Romani Union in Warsaw in 1990. The International Roma Day serves as tribute to the first meeting of international Roma representatives on 8 April 1971, near London.
Showing posts with label International Roma Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International Roma Day. Show all posts
INTERNATIONAL ROMA DAY – 8 APRIL
Strasbourg, 8 April 2009 – In his message on International Roma Day, the European Roma and Travellers Forum’s President, Mr. Rudko Kawczynski, called for “collective responsibility to end anti-Gypsyism in Europe’.
Unfortunately, we still see racial profiling in law, public officials and politicians able to make prejudiced remarks without risk of rebuke, the victimisation of Roma women through harassment, para-military attacks against members of the Roma community, strong anti-Roma feelings spreading throughout EU countries… These situations are not coincidental.
Mr. Kawczynski recalled that the struggle to eliminate these situations must confront the current economic and social policies that perpetuate the systematic barriers and racial injustice in our workplaces, educational and social institutions.
This means that we must redouble our efforts in eliminating the anti-Gypsyism and discrimination that are so deeply embedded in the roots of many conflicts and pose risks to international peace and security and in pushing for greater equality and justice for all.
Roma need to be able to find jobs and housing and to receive health, education and other services without discrimination and harassment, and they need to feel welcome in our communities. These are very much human rights concerns.
We take this opportunity to pay tribute to those who have fought, and continue to fight – despite the hardship and sacrifice involved – for equality and the right of all people to live with respect and dignity. The struggle to break down prejudice towards Roma and Travellers and to eliminate discrimination is integral to the struggle for social justice and a better world, which is the responsibility of us all.
There are enormous challenges ahead in the quest for equal opportunities for all - from achieving more effective coordination and mobilisation of resources at international level, to building better capacity at national and local levels. All of us can play a part in raising awareness of these challenges; all of us can play our part in overcoming them.
The European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF), which has a partnership agreement with the Council of Europe and a special status with this institution, is Europe’s largest and most inclusive Roma organisation. It brings together Europe’s main international Roma-NGOs and more than 1,500 national Roma organisations from most of the Council of Europe’s member states.
Unfortunately, we still see racial profiling in law, public officials and politicians able to make prejudiced remarks without risk of rebuke, the victimisation of Roma women through harassment, para-military attacks against members of the Roma community, strong anti-Roma feelings spreading throughout EU countries… These situations are not coincidental.
Mr. Kawczynski recalled that the struggle to eliminate these situations must confront the current economic and social policies that perpetuate the systematic barriers and racial injustice in our workplaces, educational and social institutions.
This means that we must redouble our efforts in eliminating the anti-Gypsyism and discrimination that are so deeply embedded in the roots of many conflicts and pose risks to international peace and security and in pushing for greater equality and justice for all.
Roma need to be able to find jobs and housing and to receive health, education and other services without discrimination and harassment, and they need to feel welcome in our communities. These are very much human rights concerns.
We take this opportunity to pay tribute to those who have fought, and continue to fight – despite the hardship and sacrifice involved – for equality and the right of all people to live with respect and dignity. The struggle to break down prejudice towards Roma and Travellers and to eliminate discrimination is integral to the struggle for social justice and a better world, which is the responsibility of us all.
There are enormous challenges ahead in the quest for equal opportunities for all - from achieving more effective coordination and mobilisation of resources at international level, to building better capacity at national and local levels. All of us can play a part in raising awareness of these challenges; all of us can play our part in overcoming them.
The European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF), which has a partnership agreement with the Council of Europe and a special status with this institution, is Europe’s largest and most inclusive Roma organisation. It brings together Europe’s main international Roma-NGOs and more than 1,500 national Roma organisations from most of the Council of Europe’s member states.
“Political participation is the way to Roma integration”
Brussels, 7 April 2009 - Almost 40 years after the first international Romani meeting in Orpington (UK) in 1971, living conditions for most of the Roma in Europe have not only failed to improve but have even gotten worse.
That first meeting in Orpington laid the foundations of the Romani international movement, when Roma people decided to come out of the ghetto to find their place in the society, being accepted for what they are, for their culture and their values. In that occasion, they agreed to call themselves Roma instead of Gypsies or other depreciative terms.
But nowadays, despite all the efforts made by the Roma community to see their rights respected, in many countries in Europe they still face the highest level of segregation and unacceptable racial prejudice. When celebrating the 8th April, International Roma Day, we cannot forget that we still are far away from the objectives of equality and integration established nearly four decades ago.
We ask the European institutions, Member States, regional and local authorities, politicians from all parties to commit themselves to this struggle for a society where anti-Gypsyism and racism are totally banned and where Roma are not held as scapegoats or seen as a dangerous and hostile minority. In recent times, European institutions and policy makers have become increasingly aware of the Roma issue and are showing political will for improvement of the minority’s conditions. We invite them to continue on this path towards a more inclusive society for Roma. This could be achieved through a comprehensive and strong European Roma policy.
ERIO believes that the most effective solution to this problem is active Romani political participation. Roma, parties and civil society should cooperate in order to develop approaches to concrete Roma participation in the public debate and in the decision-making. Only with a sound involvement in public and political life, Roma people can find a way out of their segregated situation.
During the congress in Orpington, the International Romani Union was founded, the Romani flag was accepted and the song “Gelem, Gelem” composed by Jarko Jovanovic was adopted as an anthem. As well, the delegates unanimously declared April 8th as the International Day of Roma.
The European Roma Information Office (ERIO) is a human rights advocacy organisation promoting the rights of Roma communities throughout Europe. ERIO lobbies European institutions, national governments and international organisations in order to bring about improvements in policies concerning Roma communities. ERIO cooperates intensively with Roma organisations and supports them in establishing their concerns and demands to European and national decision-makers. The ultimate goal of ERIO is to contribute to the eradication of racism, discrimination and social exclusion faced by the majority of Roma in Europe.
That first meeting in Orpington laid the foundations of the Romani international movement, when Roma people decided to come out of the ghetto to find their place in the society, being accepted for what they are, for their culture and their values. In that occasion, they agreed to call themselves Roma instead of Gypsies or other depreciative terms.
But nowadays, despite all the efforts made by the Roma community to see their rights respected, in many countries in Europe they still face the highest level of segregation and unacceptable racial prejudice. When celebrating the 8th April, International Roma Day, we cannot forget that we still are far away from the objectives of equality and integration established nearly four decades ago.
We ask the European institutions, Member States, regional and local authorities, politicians from all parties to commit themselves to this struggle for a society where anti-Gypsyism and racism are totally banned and where Roma are not held as scapegoats or seen as a dangerous and hostile minority. In recent times, European institutions and policy makers have become increasingly aware of the Roma issue and are showing political will for improvement of the minority’s conditions. We invite them to continue on this path towards a more inclusive society for Roma. This could be achieved through a comprehensive and strong European Roma policy.
ERIO believes that the most effective solution to this problem is active Romani political participation. Roma, parties and civil society should cooperate in order to develop approaches to concrete Roma participation in the public debate and in the decision-making. Only with a sound involvement in public and political life, Roma people can find a way out of their segregated situation.
During the congress in Orpington, the International Romani Union was founded, the Romani flag was accepted and the song “Gelem, Gelem” composed by Jarko Jovanovic was adopted as an anthem. As well, the delegates unanimously declared April 8th as the International Day of Roma.
The European Roma Information Office (ERIO) is a human rights advocacy organisation promoting the rights of Roma communities throughout Europe. ERIO lobbies European institutions, national governments and international organisations in order to bring about improvements in policies concerning Roma communities. ERIO cooperates intensively with Roma organisations and supports them in establishing their concerns and demands to European and national decision-makers. The ultimate goal of ERIO is to contribute to the eradication of racism, discrimination and social exclusion faced by the majority of Roma in Europe.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
