EU Commissioners on 8 April: Europe has a long way to go to achieve real equality for Romani people

Romani people continue to face prejudice, discrimination, antigypsyism and socioeconomic exclusion in their daily lives. According to a joint statement on the occasion of International Romani Day by the European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency Vĕra Jourová, the Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli and the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi, it is necessary to do everything possible for Romani people to experience an actual change to that situation.
"On the occasion of International Romani Day we are celebrating, together with Europe's largest ethnic minority, their unique contribution to European diversity and heritage. At the same time we are commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first World Roma Congress," the commissioners said in their joint statement.
"Many Romani people still face prejudice, discrimination, antigypsyism and socioeconomic exclusion in their daily lives, however. The Romani community, moreover, has been harshly affected by the global pandemic. We must do everything in our power to address the current crisis and everything else that has impacted them so Romani people can experience actual change," the commissioners have declared.
According to the officials, the European Commission has adopted its ambitious EU Roma Strategic Framework for that purpose - a new, 10-year plan for achieving equality of Romani people within the European Union and beyond it. The framework contains a comprehensive list of measures to combat antigypsyism and discrimination, to support equality and social inclusion, to involve Romani people in the life of society and to arrange for their equal access to quality, standard education, employment, health care and housing throughout Europe.
"On the basis of this Strategic Framework, the EU Member States have unanimously adopted the Recommendation on Roma equality, inclusion and participation. A strong, clear signal has therefore been sent that the Member States are determined to address the many challenges that the Romani community faces EU-wide. With regard to countries beyond the EU, that document is playing a crucial role in the accession negotiations with states in the Western Balkans" added Jourová, Dalli and Várhelyi.
According to the European Commission, the commitment of the Member States is essential to achieving stable outcomes on this issue during the next decade. "Europe has a long road ahead of us when it comes to achieving real equality for Romani people, respect for diversity, and mutual understanding of our historical experiences. By working together, we can change this situation and make use of the enormous potential of Romani people to benefit not just themselves, but all of Europe," added the three commissioners at the close of their statement.
On 8 April, Romani people worldwide celebrate International Romani Day. This year is the 50th anniversary of the significant day when the historically first World Roma Congress was held in Orpington near London in the United Kingdom in 1971.
The congress laid the foundations for international collaborations of Romani people and the Romani movement acquired its international sociopolitical dimension on that occasion. Romani people annually commemorate their shared culture, language, origin, their common collaborations and unification, and above all their Romipen ("Romani-ness").
Don't miss:
- LIVE BROADCAST: Elena Gorolová and European Commission Vice-President Jourová open international conference on anti-Roma racism
- European Commission VP Věra Jourová: Not enough was done during the last decade for Roma, the EC is launching a new 10-year plan
- European Commission acknowledges racism is structural and beefs up the fight against racial discrimination
- European Commission President calls on EU Member States to combat discrimination against Romani people
- European Commission sending millions of euro for independent media to combat disinformation
- European Commission calls for public recommendations about its Framework for National Roma Inclusion Strategies by 16 March
- European Commission seeks public feedback on European Social Fund activities, deadline 24 February
- Italian Police evict almost 400 Romani people from homes they have lived in since 2005, European Commission says it cannot take legal action
- European Commission presents new form of EU Social Funds after 2020
- European Commission: Number of Roma youth not in school and unemployed in the Czech Republic is rising
- Czech Republic has one month to explain its refusal to redistribute refugees to European Commission
- Christian Democrat chair says Czech Republic should have taken in 10 refugees more to avoid European Commission censure
- European Commission reports Roma six times more likely to be poor in the Czech Republic than non-Roma
- European Commission: Internet giants must combat hatred more
- Members of the European Parliament urge European Commission to move EU-subsidized pig farm from Lety site
Related articles:
- EU Fundamental Rights Agency and OSCE say governments must deliver aid to Roma affected by COVID-19 pandemic
- VIDEO: Igor Kmeťo, Jr., Monika Bagárová, Jan Bendig and others release new song for International Roma Day
- US administration greets Roma on 8 April, Romani flag up at the US Embassy in Prague
- Alexander Soros: We celebrate the identity, self-determination and unity of Roma, Open Society Foundations will always support them
- MEP Peter Pollák on World Roma Day: Mere declarations of willingness to solve problems not enough, it's time for results
- Czech Foreign Minister on World Roma Day: Fighting for equality is an integral part of Czech foreign policy
- Chair of the Czech Pirates: Let's not trip the Roma up, let's treat them with the dignity they deserve, as equals
- Czech ecumenical service sends wishes of good fortune and good health to Romani people on their day
- Czech activist on 8 April: the Romani position in society is deteriorating, zero results from the financing invested
- Czech actors send greetings to Romani people for 8 April, World Roma Day
- 50th anniversary of the international movement of Romani people celebrated worldwide
- Czech Govt Human Rights Commissioner on 8 April: Roma are still stereotyped here - let's get to know what we have in common and where we differ
Tags:
European Commission, International Roma Day, oslava, Věra JourováHEADLINE NEWS
