Romany discriminated against in EU - European official

 13/11/2009 - Wiener Zeitung / Österreich  

 "Racism Against Romany Becoming 'Worse and Worse'"

Vienna - At an international conference in the Vienna Hofburg, harsh criticism was voiced about the treatment of Romany within the EU states. Representatives of the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the EU Agency for Basic Right (FRA) made many demands of the governments of member states to stop the discrimination, segregation and racism against the Romany.

"We have a real problem with racism - and it is getting worse and worse," warned Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe's human rights commissioner. It was tolerated that the Romany became "the doormats of our society" and that racist remarks by politicians are simply accepted as such. "The heads of government must finally take this problem seriously. Romany are being discriminated, although they are also EU citizens."

However, no precise numbers on ethnic distribution were mentioned. It is difficult, especially due to migration within the EU, to establish the proportion of the Romany, since ethnic affiliation is not entered in the passport. The OSCE estimates that overall, there are about 10 million Romany living within the EU - the majority of them in East European countries such as Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, as well as Serbia, Macedonia and Kosovo.

Above all was denounced discrimination against the Romany who move from states within the EU. FRA director Morton Kjaerum stressed especially the "right to free movement and residence" for all EU citizens. However, the reality is different and is characterized by racism, discrimination and exclusion. "It is the task of the EU and its member states to take purposeful measures and set standards based on rights and equality which serve the promotion of social cohesion," stated Kjaerum.

"Out of the Impasse"

Knut Vollebaek, ORCE commissioner for national minorities, warned about social tensions: "It means finally recognizing the true needs of the Romany. They have lost faith in politicians and their promises. That is why I want to remind governments that they have responsibility vis-A -vis all their compatriots. We must now quickly get out of this impasse."