Council of Europe chief says discrimination against Romani people continues to be ignored

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjörn Jagland, criticized the deterioration in the situation of Roma and Sinti people in Europe today. Jagland believes discrimination against members of these minority groups is frequently ignored or overlooked.

The Austrian Press Agency reports that Jagland said many European states lack laws under which anti-Romani activity could be prosecuted. He made his remarks at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Berlin today dedicated to combating discrimination against Romani people.

A representative of Hungary was quoted by the MTI agency as saying the conference also discussed the religion of Islam and how "illegal" immigration influences the perception of Romani people and their social integration in Europe. At the beginning of July, a Council of Europe advisory body criticized the Czech Republic over the discrimination against Romani people ongoing there.

Prague apparently has not been very successful in its efforts to eradicate the segregation of Romani children in the schools. The Council of Europe said discrimination against Romani people is persisting in other areas of life there as well and that the number of manifestations of xenophobia is also growing.