Press Release on April 8th, International
Roma Day
“Political participation is the way to Roma integration”
“Political participation is the way to Roma integration”
Brussels, 7
April 2009 - Almost 40 years after the first international Romani meeting in Orpington
(UK) in 1971, living conditions for most of the Roma in Europe have not only failed
to improve but have even gotten worse.That first
meeting in Orpington laid the foundations of the Romani international movement,
when Roma people decided to come out of the ghetto to find their place in the
society, being accepted for what they are, for their culture and their values.
In that occasion, they agreed to call themselves Roma instead of Gypsies or
other depreciative terms.But nowadays, despite
all the efforts made by the Roma community to see their rights respected, in
many countries in Europe they still face the
highest level of segregation and unacceptable racial prejudice. When
celebrating the 8th April, International Roma Day, we cannot forget
that we still are far away from the objectives of equality and integration
established nearly four decades ago.We ask the
European institutions, Member States, regional and local authorities,
politicians from all parties to commit themselves to this struggle for a
society where anti-Gypsyism and racism are totally banned and where Roma are
not held as scapegoats or seen as a dangerous and hostile minority. In recent
times, European institutions and policy makers have become increasingly aware
of the Roma issue and are showing political will for improvement of the minority’s
conditions. We invite them to continue on this path towards a more inclusive
society for Roma. This could be achieved through a comprehensive and strong
European Roma policy.ERIO believes
that the most effective solution to this problem is active Romani political
participation. Roma, parties and civil society should cooperate in order to develop
approaches to concrete Roma participation in the public debate and in the
decision-making. Only with a sound involvement in public and political life,
Roma people can find a way out of their segregated situation.
BACKGROUND: During the congress in Orpington, the International Romani Union was founded, the Romani flag was accepted and the song “Gelem, Gelem” composed by Jarko Jovanovic was adopted as an anthem. As well, the delegates unanimously declared April 8th as the International Day of Roma.
BACKGROUND: During the congress in Orpington, the International Romani Union was founded, the Romani flag was accepted and the song “Gelem, Gelem” composed by Jarko Jovanovic was adopted as an anthem. As well, the delegates unanimously declared April 8th as the International Day of Roma.
