8th April – Roma Day: The Endless Road Towards Recognition
The European Roma Information Office (ERIO) would like to officially recognise Roma communities around the world for the 8th April, the International Roma Day. Since the establishment of this day in 1971, at the First Romani World Congress, official celebrations have been taking place throughout Europe, and public statements on this occasion have been made not only by Roma organisations, but also by European and governmental agencies. In spite of these positive signs, the fact is that Roma remain the most discriminated and disadvantaged community in Europe.
Policies aimed at the improvement of the Roma situation have been implemented by national governments and, especially, by European institutions and international organisations. Unfortunately, these efforts are not reflected in the living conditions of Roma communities and in their societal position. In vast European regions, Roma live in impoverished settlements. In various European countries, such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia, a large number of Roma children attend schools for the mentally disabled. The unemployment among Roma is extremely high. According to surveys, Roma are facing the strongest patterns of discrimination and racism. Roma are continually subject to acts of racist violence, stigmatisation by a large part of the media, and offensive and discriminatory statements by politicians, even at the European Parliament. The majority of the Roma populations are still fighting for their full recognition as European citizens.
The European Commission has declared 2007 as the “European Year for Equal Opportunities”. Yet this remains a distant dream for Roma who do not have access to equal opportunities as citizens in most European societies. The positive commitment of national governments and European institutions to promote equal treatment and opportunities should be reflected in concrete actions. Actions should be undertaken which aim at school desegregation of Roma children, at providing Roma access to adequate employment, at tackling housing deprivation and forced evictions of Roma settlements, and at guaranteeing access to health services.
A big step forward would be the adoption of the European Parliament’s Resolution on the Situation of Roma in Europe (28 April 2005) by national governments. This would establish the framework conditions for the social inclusion of Roma and to ensure their equal treatment and social integration. This ambitious goal will become reality through advocacy actions pushing national governments for the adoption of the Roma Resolution and through the effective engagement of European institutions.
The European Roma Information Office (ERIO) is deeply committed in policy development aiming at the improvement of the situation of Roma throughout Europe, the ultimate goal being to eradicate social exclusion and discrimination against Roma.
European Roma Information Office (ERIO)
Av. Edouard Lacomble 17, Brussels 1040 Belgium
Phone: +32 (0) 2733 34 62
Fax : +32 (0) 2733 38 75
http://www.erionet.org
The European Roma Information Office (ERIO) would like to officially recognise Roma communities around the world for the 8th April, the International Roma Day. Since the establishment of this day in 1971, at the First Romani World Congress, official celebrations have been taking place throughout Europe, and public statements on this occasion have been made not only by Roma organisations, but also by European and governmental agencies. In spite of these positive signs, the fact is that Roma remain the most discriminated and disadvantaged community in Europe.
Policies aimed at the improvement of the Roma situation have been implemented by national governments and, especially, by European institutions and international organisations. Unfortunately, these efforts are not reflected in the living conditions of Roma communities and in their societal position. In vast European regions, Roma live in impoverished settlements. In various European countries, such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia, a large number of Roma children attend schools for the mentally disabled. The unemployment among Roma is extremely high. According to surveys, Roma are facing the strongest patterns of discrimination and racism. Roma are continually subject to acts of racist violence, stigmatisation by a large part of the media, and offensive and discriminatory statements by politicians, even at the European Parliament. The majority of the Roma populations are still fighting for their full recognition as European citizens.
The European Commission has declared 2007 as the “European Year for Equal Opportunities”. Yet this remains a distant dream for Roma who do not have access to equal opportunities as citizens in most European societies. The positive commitment of national governments and European institutions to promote equal treatment and opportunities should be reflected in concrete actions. Actions should be undertaken which aim at school desegregation of Roma children, at providing Roma access to adequate employment, at tackling housing deprivation and forced evictions of Roma settlements, and at guaranteeing access to health services.
A big step forward would be the adoption of the European Parliament’s Resolution on the Situation of Roma in Europe (28 April 2005) by national governments. This would establish the framework conditions for the social inclusion of Roma and to ensure their equal treatment and social integration. This ambitious goal will become reality through advocacy actions pushing national governments for the adoption of the Roma Resolution and through the effective engagement of European institutions.
The European Roma Information Office (ERIO) is deeply committed in policy development aiming at the improvement of the situation of Roma throughout Europe, the ultimate goal being to eradicate social exclusion and discrimination against Roma.
European Roma Information Office (ERIO)
Av. Edouard Lacomble 17, Brussels 1040 Belgium
Phone: +32 (0) 2733 34 62
Fax : +32 (0) 2733 38 75
http://www.erionet.org