human rights

Czech bill to compensate forcibly sterilized women passes second reading, as does bill to close institutions for children under three

6.5.2021 18:38  full story

Czech Christian Democrats, SocDems want to stop the use of vouchers in material distress benefits

28.6.2018 6:31 The Czech Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL) and Czech Social Democrats (ČSSD) want to absolutely abolish the compulsory disbursal of part of aid to those in material distress in vouchers instead of money and are asking for a return to the previous approach in which beneficiaries received their welfare in money and Labor Offices could decide to disburse just part of the benefits in vouchers in individual cases only. Amendments were submitted by both the ČSSD and the KDU-ČSL during the second reading yesterday of other bills on the issue to make sure that benefits paid exclusively in money will be received by some groups of the more impoverished beneficiaries.  full story

Colombia: Romani Residents Embrace Their New and Traditional Identities

20.7.2017 23:55 The Romani people in Colombia are proud of their government for fostering a culture of acceptance within the community. In 2005 the number of Romani residents in Colombia was estimated at 5000 people, but has now grown to more than 8000 people within the last decade. Many of the Romani people in Colombia do not fear persecution, and enjoy several social benefits.  full story

AMER: Human rights defenders in Turkey should be released immediately!

7.7.2017 15:19 The situation in Turkey is serious. Association for Monitoring Equal Rights/AMER published a statement calling for the release of human rights defenders. Our news server Romea.cz publishes it in its entirety. Human rights defenders in Turkey should be released immediately!  full story

Commentary: Social Exclusion is a Global Issue

23.6.2017 14:00

The issues the Roma face in Europe are issues that many minorities around the globe face as well. There is unequal distribution of education, employment, and housing.

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Italy: Children and Pregnant Romani Women Left Homeless

15.6.2017 17:10 Unlawful demolitions of Romani property in Italy are rendering members of that community homeless, including newborns and pregnant women. Most recently Romani people were driven from the Germagnano informal settlement in Turin two weeks ago, according to the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), based in Budapest.  full story

Thorbjorn Jagland Explains How Roma Empowerment Can Educate Us

12.6.2017 23:50 Speaking on 8 June 2017 in Berlin, Council fo Europe Secretary General Jagland expressed his support for the launch of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC). The Council of Europe views ERIAC as an independent organization through which the Roma can express their cultural achievements throughout history amidst the continual prejudice directed against them.   full story

Main hero in the next Batman film will be Romani - "Nightwing" to call attention to the rights of Romani people

28.3.2017 18:16 Warner Bros announced in February that they will be releasing "Nightwing", a film that not only tells the story of the most popular characters in the Batman family, but also sheds light on Romani human rights issues through its title character. "Nightwing" (the superhero formerly known as “Robin”) could serve as one of the first times the Romani identity will be shown to the mainstream in a positive light.  full story

New European civil society network hopes to accelerate the delivery of justice

18.12.2016 2:14 The European Implementation Network (EIN) began its work on 2 December at the headquarters of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. The main aim of this new nonprofit organization is to support the implementation of judgments handed down by the court.  full story

Alliance against Antigypsyism: Antigypsyism is a major obstacle to equal citizenship for Romani people

19.7.2016 6:31 On 5 July the Alliance against Antigypsyism published its "Reference Paper on Antigypsyism", which is a specific form of racism against Roma, Sinti, Travellers and other groups stigmatized as "gypsies" in the public arena. The paper, among other things, proposes a working definition of the concept.
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OSCE/ODIHR Event to Focus on Justice and Redress to Roma Victims of Forced Sterilization in the Czech Republic

30.5.2016 18:50 On Wednesday, 1 June, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will convene an international conference on providing justice and compensation to Romani women who have been subjected to forced sterilization in the Czech Republic. Those attending will be representatives of the Czech Government, survivors of forced sterilization, civil society organizations including Roma community organizations, international experts, and representatives of the Council of Europe, the OSCE/ODIHR, and the United Nations.  full story

EU Fundamental Rights Agency holds workshop on indicators of Romani integration

12.6.2015 2:11 From 10-11 June the EU Fundamental Rights Agency convened a workshop in Vienna for its National Roma Contact Points on the Roma Integration Indicator and a template for reporting on such indicators. The workshop was to bring together 22 Member States' National Roma Contact Points, the European Commission, and representatives from national statistical offices.  full story

Yet another Czech town bans sitting outdoors

17.3.2015 22:31, (ROMEA) The Czech town of Duchcov has adopted a new ordinance that is intended to improve the upholding of public order there. The generally binding ordinance bans people from sitting on concrete barriers or walls and also bans them from grilling food in public areas.  full story

Commentary: Active, emancipated Roma by 2020 is goal of Czech strategy

Prague, 20.6.2014 17:12, (ROMEA) Government strategies are not usually the most attractive or readable of texts. As far as the position of Romani people is concerned, readers can find many government documents have been produced already, including the Strategy for the Fight against Social Exclusion or the Strategy for Social Inclusion.  full story

ERTF: Czech Republic failing Roma under the European Social Charter

Strasbourg, France, 5.3.2014 13:38, (ROMEA) The European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF) announced today that it has filed a collective complaint against the Czech Republic with the European Committee of Social Rights, which is responsible for ensuring that States comply with the provisions of the European Social Charter.  full story