Roma Source

 
 
THE PROJECT

The transnational partnership in this european project, aims to combat the inequalities of the roma community by addressing the racism and prejudice inherent in mainstream public services and in mainstream society by promoting both the rights of Roma within the Roma communities but also withing the public services they need to access, bring to the forefront the issues which they face as a result of discrimination alongside showcasing their history and culture in order to better educate and inform everyone, so enabling the Roma communities across Europe to better integrate into the communties in which they live and play an active role as an equal citizen.

 

The Roma community in the EU and the international political context

Discrimination on grounds of race, colour or ethnicity ("racial discrimination") is almost always a violation of human rights. In the words of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), the primary international law governing the ban on racial discrimination, the term "racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life. Fundamental to the principle of non-discrimination are the rights of members of racial, ethnic and national minorities to equality before the law and the equal protection of the law. International law bans racial discrimination in a range of fields including but not limited to education, health, housing, employment, and the provision of and access to public goods and services. States have a positive obligation to prevent, punish and remedy racial discrimination.

The 2008 Commission Staff Working Document (CSWD) analysed the legal and financial instruments as well as of the policies at EU level for Roma inclusion. The analysis made clear that the existing instruments and policies are in principle appropriate and suitable for the inclusion of Roma, but that there is obviously an implementation gap at the national, regional and local level. Main reason for their limited effectiveness on the ground is on the one hand a lack of political will, a lack of strong partnerships and coordination mechanisms.On the other hand there is a lack of capacities and knowledge at the local level to implement instruments and to change the concrete living conditions of Roma communities as well as a lack of ownership among the potential beneficiaries in municipalities, NGOs and Roma communities. Further to the launch of the European Platform for Roma inclusion in April 2009 and the elaboration of Common Basic Principles for Roma Inclusion, the Employment, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council of 8 June 2009 adopted unanimously conclusions on Roma inclusion.

 

The EPSCO Council annexed the Common Basic Principles and invited “the Commission and the Member States, in close cooperation, and in accordance with their respective competences to take into account the Common Basic Principles, where appropriate, when designing and implementing policies to promote the full inclusion of the Roma, as well as when designing and implementing policies to defend fundamental rights, uphold gender equality, combat discrimination, poverty and social exclusion, and ensure access to education, housing, health, employment, social services, justice, sports and culture, and also in the EU's relations with third countries.”  With this long formulation Council underpinned the need for both a targeted approach and the mainstreaming of the Roma perspective in all relevant policies.

The conclusions of the December 2008 General Affairs Council the Commission launched the European Platform for Roma inclusion under the Czech Presidency of the Council in spring of 2009.

The tasks of the Platform as defined in the Council conclusions include:

– the exchange of good practice and experience between the Member States,

– the provision of analytical support and

– the stimulation of cooperation between all parties concerned by Roma issues.

In March 2009 the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the social situation of the Roma and their improved access to the labour market. The resolution raised the key challenges for the EU in combating Roma exclusion and requested a coordinated approach to improving the complex working and living conditions of the Roma community with a view to:

• increasing economic opportunities for the Roma,

• building human capital, and

• strengthening social capital and community development.

These aims cannot be achieved without first addressing the prejudice, discrimination and xenophobia that exists across Europe in regard to the Roma Community. The European Union has the competence to legislate i.e. in the areas of non-discrimination, freedom of movement and the protection of personal data. In terms of new legal provisions the most important progress was the adoption of the Framework Decision on Combating Racism and Xenophobia in November 2008. This Framework Decision aims to ensure that racist and xenophobic offences are sanctioned in all Member States by effective, proportionate and dissuasive criminal penalties. The offences include the public incitement to violence or hatred against a group of persons or a member of such a group defined by reference to race, colour, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin. 

 

The European Parliament focused strongly on the access of Roma to quality education and vocational training, and warned that unqualified and unskilled labour mobility exacerbated discrimination. It stressed in this respect the gender dimension. With regard to labour market policy the European Parliament called for using job opportunities in public services and personal/care services and for using instruments such as micro-credits or subsidies for the labour market integration of Roma. The Commission was requested to provide better analysis, for enhanced cooperation with all stakeholders including international organisations, and for a better availability of funding for Roma inclusion.

Common Basic Principles for Roma Inclusion

Principle no 1: Constructive, pragmatic and non-discriminatory policies

Principle no 2: Explicit but not exclusive targeting

Principle no 3: Inter-cultural approach

Principle no 4: Aiming for the mainstream

Principle no 5: Awareness of the gender dimension

Principle no 6: Transfer of evidence-based policies

Principle no 7: Use of Community instruments

Principle no 8: Involvement of regional and local authorities

Principle no 9: Involvement of civil society

Principle no 10: Active participation of the Roma

Need across Europe

Roma communities live in all EU Member States as well as in candidate countries and potential candidates. There is an estimated 10 – 12 million Roma living across Europe. Eastern Europe is home to between six and eight million Roma. Accurate population estimations are difficult because of infrequent data collection, the Roma's mobility, and the Roma's reluctance to register as "Roma" in censuses for fear of being stigmatised. In Western Europe, the largest Roma populations are found in Spain (estimated at 750,000), France (310,000), Germany (120,000) and Italy (100,000).

In the late 1990s, many Eastern European Roma filed asylum claims, both to escape discrimination and to improve their socioeconomic position. Between 1997 and 2005, approximately 12,000 to 15,000 Roma left Eastern Europe. The first to file asylum claims were Slovakian and Czech Roma, followed by Polish, Bulgarian, and Romanian Roma. They applied in the European Union (particularly the UK), Switzerland, Norway, and Canada. Generally, few Roma received asylum based on the criteria of the 1951 Geneva Convention, which says refugees must have been persecuted or have a well-founded fear of persecution due to race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The Roma had come from "safe" countries, and did not present sufficient evidence to support a Geneva Convention claim.

In the UK, the government decided almost all Roma asylum claims were unfounded even if individuals could prove ethnic-based violence and discrimination. In Finland, the 5,000 to 7,000 Roma asylum applications received typically did not include evidence of persecution, but were based on poverty or discrimination. Few Roma received asylum or a Finnish residence permit. Although the exact "trigger" for the increase in asylum claims from Eastern European Roma is not known, the British press blamed its Roma "invasion" on a documentary broadcast in 1997 in the Czech Republic. The documentary supposedly praised the UK's generous asylum and benefits policy. Similar TV broadcasts and rumours portrayed Belgium and Finland as welfare havens

Across Europe, and within particular Member States, we are currently experiencing a significant period in the development of policies that impact upon Roma/Gypsies in Europe. Like a number of other groups, Roma/Gypsies have seen their conditions of living transformed since the collapse of socialist states within Central and Eastern Europe in the early 1990s and the EU enlargement during the early 2000s. Economic and social marginalisation, migration towards Western Europe (in particular the UK), where Roma/Gypsies often survive in the urban margins, access to European citizenship belong to these main changes. These changes have begun to have a tangible effect on policies involving Roma/Gypsies and how we progress with ensuring members of all ethnic groups, throughout Europe, are empowered to live integrated (non-marginalised) lives.

The Agency for Fundamental Rights Roma Rights Journal number 1 2009 highlights:

• A key problem is that the main underlying factor, namely a deeply rooted prejudice against Roma (socalled “anti-Gypsyism”) has not yet been sufficiently addressed

• The answers indicate either a sense of frustration and lack of trust in public authorities

• Whilst legal instruments to combat discrimination do exist, there is a need for wider knowledge of measures to address discrimination and social exclusion of Roma. These should include educational programmes to increase confidence and rights awareness amongst young people.

- Awareness-raising to prevent discrimination is also necessary, in particular amongst private service providers to prevent discrimination. At the same time, rigorous sanctions must be applied against those who discriminate against Roma or any other group.

- In this context, this means concretely that they must address the situation of Roma from different angles: Legislation, sanctions, education, awareness raising, compensation of victims, creating real equal opportunities for all,

- The respect of human rights does not happen without the involvement of every level of governance European, national and local

The vast majority of working-age Roma lack sufficient education to participate successfully in the labour market. As a result, European countries are losing hundreds of millions of Euros annually in productivity and in fiscal contributions to the governments. (World Bank, Economic costs of Roma exclusion)

- Lower bound estimates of annual productivity losses range from 231 million Euro in Serbia, 367 million Euro in the Czech Republic, 526 million Euro in Bulgaria, to 887 million Euro in Romania.

- Lower bound annual fiscal losses range from 58 million Euro in Serbia, 202 million Euro in Romania, 233 million Euro in the Czech Republic, and 370 million Euros in Bulgaria.

Using other Roma population estimates (UNDP, 2006), the economic losses for the four countries combined are as much as 5.7 billion Euros annually, and the fiscal losses 2 billion Euros annually.

Toward inclusive growth: bridging the education gap is also the economically smart choice to make

- Better educated Roma can expect much higher earnings. Compared to Roma with primary education, Roma who complete secondary education can expect to earn 83% more in Bulgaria, 110% more in the Czech Republic, 144% more in Romania, and 52% more in Serbia.

- The annual fiscal gains from bridging the employment gap are much higher than the total cost of investing in public education for all Roma children; by a factor of 7.7 for Bulgaria, 7.4 times for the Czech Republic, 2.4 times in Romania, and 3.3 times in Serbia.

- The share of Roma among the working-age populations will rise as majority populations in Eastern and Central Europe are aging rapidly. Equal labor participation among the Roma is essential to shoulder the nationally rising costs of pensions, health and other costs of aging.

Additional barriers, including a lack of access to credit and clear property ownership, combined with an over-dependence on social benefits creates a poverty trap and precludes many Roma from improving their living conditions, or starting their own businesses.

Roma communities socio-economic conditions are generally worse than those of the majority and often also than those of other ethnic minorities and immigrants. The vast majority of working-age Roma lack sufficient education to participate successfully in the labour market. As a result, European countries are losing hundreds of millions of Euros annually in productivity and in casino spiele online fiscal contributions to the governments. (World Bank, Economic costs of Roma exclusion) The current economic and financial crisis exacerbates already existing structural problems of Roma inclusion such as:

• access to quality education and jobs, mainstream housing, financial services, health, efficient public service etc.

• continuing to be victims of persistent discrimination in many Member States (In 2009 a number of cases of racist violence which led to the destruction of property, severe injuries and even to the death of Roma have been reported)

• very few Roma are active in local or national politics, which limits their political voice.

• everyday (particularly the tabloid press) and official discourses about Roma/Gypsies have been increasing these last years. Often ladled with stereotypes, they contribute to transform the presence of Roma/Gypsies in particular urban margins into a new public problem.

The lack of data on the socio-economic situation and demographic development of Roma communities is a serious obstacle for evidence-based policy making and effective European Union action. The collection and processing of personal data remains, however, also a sensitive issue for many Roma, in particular if the collection of data is interpreted as a preparation for social control policies.What is less advanced is an understanding as to how Roma and non-Roma populations, as well how the development of policy, actually plays out in everyday life and what opportunities exist within everyday living to bridge divides across communities.

This follows on from recent calls from Amnesty International who have called for Europe to break down discrimination for Roma (7 April 2010). Thus, while research has tended to focus on the interactions Roma have with the state, in seeking to understand the marginal position of Roma in Europe, very little attention has been given to more voluntaristic, informal and everyday relations.  Furthermore, a focus on state institutions means that potential positive interactions and engagements, from convivial neighbourly relations to more emotion-laden contacts, have also been overlooked.  This research seeks to address this gap in existing knowledge by looking at the everyday grassroots interactions set against this broader socio-political context and use the findings to underpin the active work in the Member States

The national laws which transpose the relevant “Racial Equality” Directive 2000/43/EC are still relatively new in a large number of Member States. Consequently, citizens, and to a certain extent also legal practitioners and NGOs, have a wide knowledge gap. This is particularly relevant for Roma who are not only the group which is most vulnerable to discrimination; in 2008/2009 between 66% and 92% of Roma, depending on the country surveyed, did not report their most recent experience of discrimination, and on average 86% of Roma could not name any organisation which could support them in case of discrimination.32 Hence, the raising of awareness for existing rights and obligations is crucial.

Segregation remains one main obstacle to Roma inclusion, but no general conclusions could be drawn from the figures on desegregation presented by several Member States.

Member States identified four key areas – education, employment, health and housing – as thebiggest challenges for the inclusion of Roma communities. Among those, the absence of Roma in early childhood education, the low educational attainment, high drop-out rates at young age (particularly of Roma girls) as well as irregular participation in education with the consequence of illiteracy and lacking skills and qualifications for the labour market were mentioned as central problems across all Member States. The same applies to unemployment and ensuing poverty. (Roma in Europe: The Implementation of European Union Instruments and Policies for Roma Inclusion – Progress Report 2008-2010)

Apart from these common challenges, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy and Romania stressed that segregation represents a serious problem which leads to the exclusion of Roma from education and other basic services. Some Member States underlined that discrimination based on negative perceptions of Roma, a general culpability of Roma for reprehensible acts committed by single members or a lack of knowledge about their culture play an important role. Most Member States have identified Roma children and younger Roma as well as Roma women as the most vulnerable subgroups among Roma communities. Greece identified also people with disabilities within the family and single parent families as being exposed to a high risk of exclusion. Hungary regards Roma living in segregated settlements as particularly vulnerable.

In the field of Roma health the focus of Member States was on awareness raising for issues such as vaccinations, better nutrition, healthy lifestyle and personal hygiene. The Commission highlighted in 2009 a specific focus on the problem of health inequalities and action needed to tackle them. The Communication “Solidarity in Health: Reducing Health Inequalities in the EU”49 stresses the relationship between social vulnerability, poverty and social exclusion and poor average levels of health. Living conditions, education, occupation and income are identified as important factors affecting the health of people. The Communication explicitly mentions the Roma among the vulnerable and socially excluded groups that experience particularly poor average levels of health, outlining i.e.  that Roma have an estimated life expectancy of 10 years less than the general population

There is little information from the Member States on measures to improve the labour market situation of Roma outside of the mainstream labour market and vocational training programmes; those have had only a limited impact on the labour market integration of Roma in the last few years. Toward inclusive growth: bridging the education gap (World Bank)  is also the economically smart choice to make

- Better educated Roma can expect much higher earnings. Compared to Roma with primary education, Roma who complete secondary education can expect to earn 83% more in Bulgaria, 110% more in the Czech Republic, 144% more in Romania, and 52% more in Serbia.

-The annual fiscal gains from bridging the employment gap are much higher than the total cost of investing in public education for all Roma children; by a factor of 7.7 for Bulgaria, 7.4 times for the Czech Republic, 2.4 times in Romania, and 3.3 times in Serbia.

- The share of Roma among the working-age populations will rise as majority populations in Eastern and Central Europe are aging rapidl

Equal labour participation among the Roma is essential to shoulder the nationally rising costs of pensions, health and other costs of aging. Additional barriers, including a lack of access to credit and clear property ownership, combined with an over-dependence on social benefits creates a poverty trap and precludes many Roma from improving their living conditions, or starting their own businesses.

At a two-day conference held in Cordoba Spain in April 2010 on the plight of Roma, EU officials pledged to keep working to integrate Roma and make sure aid funds reach them effectively. It was reported at the conference that for many of Europe's estimated 12 million Gypsies, daily life is getting even worse and tens of thousands of children face shocking discrimination by authorities who shunt them off into schools for the mentally disabled, activists said.

The conference took place during a week when 17 people were detained in Romania on suspicion of trafficking nearly 170 Roma children to Britain for begging and stealing, and an anti-Gypsy party in Hungary was poised to make major gains in the election. Anti-Roma violence has been a serious and even increasing problem since 2008 in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy, according to the European Roma Rights Centre, based in Budapest. It reports 45 violent attacks and nine fatalities in Hungary in that same span. Despite a series of ruling from the European Court of Human Rights since 2007, school segregation of Roma children is systemic in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, the conference reported.

The Agency for Fundamental Rights Roma Rights Journal number 1 2009 summarises key needs well:

• A key problem is that the main underlying factor, namely a deeply rooted prejudice against Roma (so called “anti-Gypsyism”) has not yet been sufficiently addressed

• The answers indicate either a sense of frustration and lack of trust in public authoritie

• Whilst legal instruments to combat discrimination do exist, there is a need for wider knowledge of measures to address discrimination and social exclusion of Roma. These should include educational programmes to increase confidence and rights awareness amongst young people.

- Awareness-raising to prevent discrimination is also necessary, in particular amongst private service providers to prevent discrimination. At the same time, rigorous sanctions must be applied against those who discriminate against Roma or any other group.

- In this context, this means concretely that they must address the situation of Roma from different angles: Legislation, sanctions, education, awareness raising, compensation of victims, creating real equal opportunities for all,

- The respect of human rights does not happen without the involvement of every level of governance European, national and loca


Mundo Gitano – Gypsy World