ERIO at the Meeting of the Steering Group on the Multiple Discrimination Study

Brussels, May, 23rd 2007 - ERIO took part in a meeting of the Steering Group on the Multiple Discrimination Study carried out for the European Commission, DG Employment, by the Danish Institute for Human Rights. Purpose of the meeting was to communicate the progress of the research. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has held 31 round tables on Multiple Discrimination and has disseminated questionnaires to all interested stakeholders all over the countries covered by the study: Denmark, Greece, France, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and United Kingdom. As a result of those activities it was found that in most EU countries there is significant theoretical knowledge of the topic, especially among NGOs, but applied knowledge is lacking. The outcomes of the study shall be gathered in a report and made public in a conference, currently under preparation. The structure of the report was presented and the draft program of the conference was discussed. ERIO welcomes this initiative as one of the first attempts to collect information and practices on the topic of Multiple Discrimination. In addition, it contributes to raising awareness on the topic among public officials and to getting together different actors involved in fighting discrimination, so as to put the basis for information and knowledge exchange and for joint action.

ERIO at the Fundamental Rights and Anti-discrimination Working Group of the Social Platform

15 May 2007, Brussels - Representatives of the major European civil society networks involved in anti-discrimination gathered in the Social Platform premises to discuss proceedings in European policy and legislation in matters of discrimination. The position of the Platform on the next EU legislative proposal on discrimination was debated; the principles of "leveling up" existing legislation and of adopting an open concept of discrimination which responds to the needs of people discriminated on grounds of social status, health, bounds with discriminated people, were stressed. Pros and cons of adopting separate legislations for the different grounds of discrimination were discussed as well. Subsequently, the first activities of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for all were assessed and the Social Platform Members shared information about the activities they have undertaken related to the Year. ERIO's representatives expressed concerns about the lack of involvement and awareness of Roma organizations in the activities of the Year. Furthermore, it was stressed that the Roma issue is not addressed adequately as a theme. The setting up of the organizational structure of the Fundamental Rights Agency in consultation with the civil society, and the option of adopting common positions was presented and discussed. Trends and collective responses in terms of policies, legislation, employment, etc, for the sake of a better integration of migrants in Europe were presented by member organizations, the Annual Theme 2007 being "Migration and Demographic and Social Changes". The role of civil society and social NGOs, as well as the solidarity mechanisms to finance the implementation of social rights were subsequently debated. ERIO representatives stressed the importance of addressing migration in the New Member States and to address the issue of allowing asylum-seekers who request to stay in host countries.

EU values at risk over treatment of migrants and Roma

Leading human rights organisation Amnesty International has said "the EU as a beacon 'union of values' looked increasingly ambivalent" over the past year, with the treatment of migrants, asylum seekers and its own Roma population highlighted as the key subjects of concern. http://euobserver.com/9/24111/?rk=1

Council of Europe report on minority languages in Norway

Strasbourg, 18.05.2007 - The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers calls on Norway to strengthen the protection of its minority languages, on the basis of a report which has been drawn up by a committee of independent experts which monitors the application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The Committee of Ministers urges Norway to protect and promote the Kven language by adopting policies for standardising and improving the teaching of the language and increasing its use in public life. The Norwegian Government is also encouraged to step up its efforts to protect other languages, such as Sámi, Romani and Romanes, in fields such as education and social and health care. The regional or minority languages protected under the Charter in Norway are Sámi, Kven, Romani and Romanes. http://www.coe.int/t/e/legal_affairs/local_and_regional_democracy/regional_or_minority_languages/2_monitoring/2.3_Committee_of_Experts'_Reports/Norway_3rd_report.pdf

UNICEF: Balkan Roma Shunned, Illiterate and Hungry

Roma are the largest minority group across the Balkans, but most of them spend their life in poverty, illiterate, underfed and marginalised by society, a study by the U.N. children's agency UNICEF showed. Census data from Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Romania and Bulgaria put the Roma, or Gypsy, population at some 3.7 million people. The World Bank says it is over 15 million in reality, according to a Reuters report. "Roma have no jobs because no one will hire them, they are uneducated, have no water, no electricity, no books for their children and everybody hates them," the study quoted a teacher from Serbia as saying. The Balkans is believed to be home to the largest number of Roma in the world. They are treated with suspicion and hostility by their fellow citizens, many of whom see them as clannish, lazy and thieving. The report showed that most live under the poverty line: 78 percent of Roma in Albania, and 66 percent in Romania, live on less that $4.30 a day. Some 53 percent of respondents reported going hungry on a regular basis across the region. "We eat from the garbage bins," a woman from Romania said. Half of the 600 settlements in Serbia were categorised as "unsanitary slums" in the survey, which noted that Roma children in Serbia were six times more likely to be underweight than their ethnic Serb counterparts. "The environment of a Roma child is one of marginalisation, poverty and exclusion," said Svetlana Marojevic of UNICEF's Belgrade office that coordinated the survey. "They are in fact invisible, living on the margins of societies that don't care." Only 13 percent of Serb Roma complete primary education, often ending up in special schools for children with learning difficulties because of their poor language skills. UNICEF called on states to battle discrimination, especially in schools, saying education was the only thing that could break the cycle of poverty and exclusion. In five out of seven countries surveyed, less than 1 percent of Roma made it to university. Their unemployment rate across the region was upwards of 44 percent, reaching 100 percent in Bosnia. "Companies advertising jobs never say 'we want no Gypsies'; but once you show up, you have no chance," a Roma from Bulgaria was quoted as saying. DIVERS

Website about human rights situation for Roma in Kosovo

http://www.roma-kosovoinfo.com/index.php?lang=en

This website is designed to provide information on the state of human rights for the Roma people in Kosovo. You can find the latest news and background information on the deportations of Kosovo-Roma from European Union member states. In addition, there are inquiries and analyses pertaining to the expulsion of Roma from the Kosovo in the aftermath of the Kosovo War in 1999. Currently, most articles are available in German only. Texts in the "latest news" section are posted in English as well, and many reports by international human rights organisations are published in English (see section "Downloads").

European Parliament - Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe: Announcement of Internship Program

Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe and Viktória Mohácsi, Member of European Parliament (ALDE) herewith invite applications for a 3 months internship in the ALDE, European Parliament, Brussels from the 17th of September 2007 till 15th of December 2007. Deadline for applications: 31st of August 2007 Our requirements: "High English communication skills both written and oral (French knowledge is an asset), "Romanes language constitutes an advantage, "Well informed on Human Rights issues (desegregation, migration, etc.) and the situation of Roma in Europe, "Well informed on European Romani organisations/activists and Romani politics in the EU27 "Computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel, PP, Outlook), We provide: "Direct working contact with ALDE staff and MEPs "Direct working contact with 27 countries' MEPs and other EU Institutions "Professional training: EU decision making processes and Institutions, European politics "Professional training: European Roma and Human Rights, "Possibility to fulfil personal ideas concerning European Roma, "1150 EUR monthly remuneration "Travel to Brussels and back home How to apply Please send "your Curriculum Vitae in an English language Europass CV format "A Letter of Motivation (not more than 2 pages, in English) in which you give detailed information at least on: oWhy did you apply? oWhat do you except from this internship? oHow could you contribute to ALDE's work? oHow could this internship contribute to your carrier? oExplanation of situation of Roma/Romani politics/Roma and mainstream parties relations/etc. in your country to alde.internship@gmail.com email address. Please note! "You have to provide a valid telephone number, and you have to answer it during working hours (09:00 - 18:00 CET) from the 3rd of September 2007 till the 7th of September 2007 in case we select you for oral interview. "You have to send a new application, as your previous application(s) will not be taken into consideration! "We accept one application per one email address, we do not accept modifications or corrections after submission of application! "We reject applications which do not meet with requirements set out in this document You can download English language Europass CV template from here: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/europass/home/hornav/Downloads/EuropassCV/CVTemplate/navigate.action.

Correlation Network conference 'Social Inclusion and Health - Crossing the Borders' Sofia, Sept. 27-29 Call for Applications

The Open Society Institute's Roma Health Project (RHP) is soliciting applications from Roma activists and civil society members interested to attend the Correlation Network's conference 'Social Inclusion and Health - Crossing the Borders' in Sofia (Bulgaria) on September 27-29, 2007. RHP will fund three scholarship positions.

Description of the conference

The Correlation Network links together different initiatives to fight marginalization and exclusion of vulnerable populations. The conference 'Social Inclusion and Health - Crossing the Borders' is planned to cover a broad range of topics, targeting mainly the issue of limited access to health and social services for marginalized groups. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange information in the field of research, policy and practice, join skill building sessions on issues related to access to health and social services, participate in the debate between service users and policy makers, discuss innovative approaches and new ways of cooperation, and get an overview on the activities of the Correlation Network. The conference will include a panel discussion on increasing access to health care for Roma. Presenters are local organizations working to increase Roma access to health services through a broad range of activities. Representatives from Initiative for Health Foundation, Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance Amalipe, and Access-Sofia Foundation will discuss harm reduction outreach models for Roma communities, promoting the health of Romani women, and using the media as an advocacy tool on Roma health. Further information on the conference is available at http://www.correlation-net.org/sofia_conference/index.html.

What the scholarships cover

The scholarships will cover the costs of travel to and from residence to the conference site, accommodation, meals, conference materials and visa for Bulgaria (if applicable).

Who should apply

OSI/RHP is soliciting applications from Roma activists and civil society members with: o Experience with designing and/or implementing Roma health programs; o Demonstrated interest to learn more about health promotion work targeting Roma communities; o Membership in an organization, network or group with the capacity to implement Roma health projects or advocate on Roma health policy; o Proficient English speaking skills. How to apply Interested individuals should submit their applications by email to efoldes@osi.hu, no later than Friday, June 8, 2007. All applications must be completed in English. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of first-round results by June 25, 2007. Applications should include the following: 1. Contact information, including full name, address, web-site (if applicable) phone number and email; 2. Name and address of organization, network or group affiliation; 3. Short description of organization/network/group including founding date, mission statement, and information on activities promoting Roma health; 4. Personal motivation for attending conference and what you would hope to learn from the conference; 5. Future vision on promoting Roma health. Please direct any questions to efoldes@osi.hu. The Roma Health Project (RHP) of The Open Society Institute (OSI) works to promote equal access of Roma to appropriate and quality health care services. The project focuses on the projection of the rights of the Roma population in the health care setting, by promoting involvement of Roma communities in advocating for access to health services, addressing discrimination against Roma in the health sector and raising visibility around the obstacles impeding access health care. RHP is working to affect the development of sound public health policies targeting Roma, and combating the perpetuation of myths and stereotypes about Roma communities and health. Background information on the Open Society Institute (OSI) can be found at http://www.soros.org/. Information on the Roma Health Project (RHP) is available at http://www.soros.org/initiatives/health/focus/roma. Vacancy: Amnesty International International Capacity Building Coordinator, London (Deadline: 6 June) http://www.web.amnesty.org/jobs/index/14052007-PEP0705