International Roma Day: UN expert urges full inclusion of Roma in decision-making in Europe
Geneva, 8 April 2014 – On International Roma Day, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Rita Izsák,
calls on all European States and institutions to fully include Roma people in the decision-making process in Europe at
all levels.
“Europe cannot stand for exclusion. With national elections taking place or due in several European countries and with
the European Parliament elections taking place in 2014, it is timely on this International Roma day to call on
governments and international organisations to step-up their efforts and attention to ensuring the full integration of
their Roma populations, including in decision making bodies at all levels.
Political parties in democratic societies have a responsibility to reinforce the basic foundations of that democracy and
the rule of law and promote the importance of minority rights protection in line with international standards, including
the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic
Minorities and European human rights standards.
With a rising tide of anti-Roma sentiment and hostility against Roma throughout Europe, it is a primary duty of
politicians from across the political spectrum to ensure the inclusion of Roma as well as promoting understanding and
tolerant societies. Political actors must use their significant influence to clearly condemn anti-minority propaganda
and hate speech and protect Roma and other excluded groups from being negatively stereotyped and treated as scapegoats.
In many countries there is a rapidly rising number of Roma intellectuals and leaders both in governments and civil
society, including young people and women - Roma role models who are passionate and talented advocates not only for the
rights of Roma, but about ensuring fair and just societies for all. It is high time for Roma to be considered as full
partners in society, with much of value to contribute, and not only as beneficiaries or as a problem to be solved.
I have been saddened by recent reports about the limited number of Roma speakers in high-level meetings discussing Roma
inclusion. This is unacceptable and demonstrates that, even after decades of advocacy for Roma inclusion, in some
respects very little has changed in reality. Roma must be given real opportunities to discuss and influence not only
their own futures and Roma integration policies and practice, but also the futures of the wider societies to which they
belong.
There should be stronger outreach to encourage Roma to get more involved in politics and engage in active citizenship,
through which their feeling of belonging will be strengthened and their responsibility as full stakeholders in society
will increase. Electoral systems should be reformed and positive measures taken so that Roma have a real possibility for
meaningful representation. The specific challenges facing Roma women must be tackled, especially limitations arising
from patriarchal systems that discourage Roma women from taking leadership roles.
Newly formed governments and parliaments must recall that they are accountable not only to some or the majority in
society, but also to minorities. They should establish or strengthen mechanisms and structures for the protection of
Roma with the inclusion of Roma. The European Union-led framework for Roma integration strategies, have to be
strengthened and closely monitored at the national level. The 2014-2020 EU budgetary framework must ensure that
long-term programs for Roma inclusion can be planned and implemented in practice from national to local levels.
Europe must stand against exclusion.”
Ms. Rita Izsák (Hungary) was appointed as Independent Expert on minority issues by the Human Rights Council in June 2011
and subsequently her mandate was renewed as Special Rapporteur on minority issues in March 2014. She is tasked by the UN
Human Rights Council, to promote the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or
Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, among other things. As Special Rapporteur she is independent from any
government or organization and serves in her individual capacity. Learn more: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Minorities/IExpert/Pages/IEminorityissuesIndex.aspx
Check the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/Minorities.aspx
ENDS