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VIENNA (AP) - Roma face widespread discrimination when they migrate throughout Europe in search of a better life and governments are failing to address the problem, human rights experts said Monday, 9 Nov 2009.

Often referred to as Gypsies, Roma are an ethnic group that has traditionally lived mostly in southern and eastern Europe. Besides a lack of access to housing, social services and education, they often do not have the identity papers needed to get decent jobs and are seen as criminals.

"We have allowed the Roma population to be scapegoats in our own societies -- an underclass," said Thomas Hammarberg, commissioner for human rights at the Council of Europe. "The leaders of governments must begin to take this problem seriously because this is hypocrisy when it comes to human rights."

Hammarberg and other experts spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a conference in the Austrian capital about Roma migration and freedom of movement.