Dear Sir/Madam,

Please find on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roma_Francais/files/ a copy of the 2008 report on the situation of the Eastern European Roma people in France, drawn up by the Collectif National Droits de l’Homme Romeurope (National Group on the Human Rights of the European Roma). An introduction summarises all the main points to which we would like to draw your attention.

The Roma people, the majority of whom are originally from Romania, Bulgaria, and, to a lesser extent, ex-Yugoslavia, fled their native countries where discrimination and racism ensured that their existence remained even more precarious. The Roma way of life – having been sedentary for centuries – can in no way be compared to that of French Travelling People.

Similar circumstances for the Roma have been observed throughout France: disgraceful living conditions, mostly in squats or slums, coupled with the permanent threat of eviction, and occasionally surrounded by violence. Such insecurity puts them at risk and results in genuine traumatic experiences, particularly in the case of children whose schooling is chaotic and frequently disrupted by a refusal, more often than not on the part of the local authorities, to enrol them in school.

Chances for the Roma to integrate are slim, as they remain excluded from the job market, particularly as a result of restrictions relating to the transitional period imposed on nationals from new EU member states. France has, moreover, informed the European Commission that it will be keeping these restrictions in place and will not be adopting a more flexible approach from 1st January 2009. The Roma people cannot access the resources and the protection afforded by the social welfare system either, as even more stringent criteria imposed on EU nationals were introduced following the entry of Romania and Bulgaria to the EU. This has resulted in benefits agencies rejecting claims on a virtually systematic basis with no assessment of individual claimant’s circumstances. Some welfare services – state medical aid, child welfare benefits, emergency accommodation, housing, etc. – continue in theory to be open and accessible, but a deplorable number of obstacles and discriminatory procedures continue to exist in these areas too. All these factors combine to give rise to delays in accessing care and treatment and to concerns over the health of the Roma.

The Roma, who are quite unjustifiably presumed to be automatically dependent on state welfare, are regularly served notices of removal. The carrying out of such removals is both absurd and ineffectual given that the Roma have the right to return immediately to France, and indeed do so. Removals rely, in the case of the Roma, on the large-scale implementation of the humanitarian resettlement programme run by ANAEM (Agence National d’Accueil des Etrangers et des Migrations – National Bureau for Settlement of Foreigners and for Migration), which often fails to respect the principle of voluntary participation and fails to incorporate preparation and support into resettlement plans for individuals in their countries of origin.

Whilst it is deplorable that the government and local authorities continue to favour a short-sighted response by evacuating locations where these families reside without offering any alternatives, and thereby merely shifting the problem to neighbouring communities, some in the public sphere have for several years now been behind local moves to provide appropriate housing and to initiate social integration. A sufficiently objective view can now be taken of the experiences detailed in the report for us to confirm that, if the location and precise circumstances of each family is assessed, it is possible to set up appropriate projects. For these projects to succeed, the government must show a positive commitment towards respecting the fundamental rights of the Eastern European Roma who have settled in France.

We trust that you will find this report of interest.

Yours faithfully,

Chloé FAOUZI
Coordinatrice
Collectif National Droits de l'Homme Romeurope

chloe.faouzi@romeurope.org
www.romeurope.org
c/o FNASAT Gens du voyage
59, rue de l'Ourcq
75019 Paris
France.

PICTUREHOUSE PRESENTS THE 2nd LONDON GYPSY FILM FESTIVAL

Picturehouse is pleased to announce the second annual London Gypsy Film Festival at The Ritzy (Nov 2-4) and Greenwich Picture House (Nov 9-11). First held in January, 2006, at Brixton’s Ritzy cinema and Greenwich’s Picturehouse, the Gypsy Film Festival was a huge success that’s since been imitated both in the UK and across the Continent.

Festival curator Garth Cartwright, author of Princes Amongst Men: Journeys With Gypsy Musicians (Serpents Tail), a book hailed as the definite text on Balkan Roma culture, again gathers rarely seen classic European films and contemporary documentaries – most have never had a UK screening.

Features will screen on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. On Saturday and Sunday afternoon the Ritzy will host screenings of three documentaries from both Serbia (Saturday) and Romania (Sunday). Sunday night (Nov 4) finds The Ritzy launching Roma Decade, an exhibition of Hungarian photographer Zsuzsanna Ardo’s images, then screening a new Hungarian documentary and feature (first UK screening for both). The Ritzy’s upstairs café will also host a feast of Gypsy-themed music across the weekend.

The Romany people’s 1000-year journey from West Asia to freedom continues: the Gypsy Film Festival celebrates their culture and the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005-2015: supported by nine European countries, the European Commission and the UN, this project aims to challenge racial stereotypes and increase tolerance.

RITZY NOVEMBER 2-4th

Friday Nov 2 night: I EVEN MET HAPPY GYPSIES - groundbreaking 1967 Yugoslav film gets a rare UK screening. Won a Cannes award and proved a huge influence on Emir Kusturika. 94 minutes

Saturday 3rd afternoon: SERBlAN SOUL - 4 documentaries by Serbian film makers on Roma communities and music making. THE CHILDREN OF THE BRASS BAND VILLAGE involves Roma kids learning to play brass in a Southern Serbian village; THE CHILDREN OF BLOCK 71 focuses on the kids of a Roma squatter camp in Belgrade; GUCA is a magnificent celebration of Guca brass band festival 2006; ESMA: QUEEN OF THE GYPSIES focuses on Esma Redzepova, celebrated Queen of the Gypsies, and the wedding of her keyboardist, Elvis. First UK cinema screenings for 2 of the documentaries. 95 minutes in total.

Saturday evening: THE WAY THE ROAD BENDS . . . TALES OF A GYPSY CARAVAN: Jasmine Dellal's documentary crosses between 5 different Gypsy artists on tour in the US and their lives back home in India, Spain, Macedonia and Romania. Director hopes to present film. 120 minutes

Sunday 4th afternoon: ROMANIA ROCKS - 3 documentaries from Romania. GYPSY CHILD BRIDES looks at the extremely controversial matter of marrying Roma girls as young as 12 in Romania. GYPSY WITCH looks at the nation's fortune tellers and their clients. IAG BARI/BRASS ON FIRE – celebrated Romanian brass band Fanfare Ciocarlia leave their village to conquer the world. The Romanian director of Child Brides/Gypsy Witch will attend so to answer questions on his challenging documentaries. 110 minutes

Sunday evening: HUNGARIAN HEART double bill THE SOUNDSCAPE OF MIKLOS LUKACS (documentary) & DALLAS AMONGST US (feature). Director of Soundscape hopes to present his 2007 documentary. Dallas is an excellent 2005 feature. Neither film has ever had a UK screening. Pre-screening their will be the official launch of Hungarian photographer Zsuzanna Ardo’s photo exhibition Roma Decade. 140 minutes

GYPSY FILM FESTIVAL: GREENWICH PICTURE HOUSE November 9-11

Friday night: I EVEN MET HAPPY GYPSIES

Saturday night: THE WAY THE ROAD BENDS . . . TALES OF A GYPSY CARAVAN

Sunday night: BALKAN FEVER (a mix of the best documentaries: THE SOUNDSCAPE OF MIKLOS LUKACS, GUCA, THE CHILDREN OF THE BRASS BAND VILLAGE, THE CHILDREN OF BLOCK 71). 115 minutes

Dear all,

The Roma Film Festival "Golden Wheel" will take place from 29-31 October 2008 in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia.

I would like you to remind you once more that the dead line for entering your films in the Festival program is 15 October 2008.

All of you who plan to attend the Festival would you please submit your application for participation and confirm your stay in Skopje no later than 20 October 2008, thus the organizer can arrange for your accommodations.

If you need any additional information do not hesitate to contact the organizer.

On behalf of the organizer,

Safet Kamber, Festival coordinator
TV BTR Nacional
Ul. Lazar Licenovski 31-b
1000 Skopje, Macedonia
Tel./fax: + 389 (0)2 321 6000
E-mail: tvbtr@tvbtr.com.mk

Kedves Barátunk, kedves Kollégánk!

A Roma Kutatási Hálózat néhány résztvevője az alábbi nyílt levelet szövegezte Sólyom Lászlónak, a Magyar Köztársaság Elnökének. Örülnénk, ha az alábbi levélben megfogalmazott kezdeményezésünkhöz csatlakozna. A levelet a Köztársasági Elnöknek, az MTI-nek, az országos napilapoknak és a mérvadó elektronikus hírportáloknak, továbbá televíziós társaságoknak kívánjuk eljuttatni.

Köszönettel,

Feischmidt Margit, Fleck Gábor, Kóczé Angéla, Kovács Éva, Messing Vera, Michael Stewart, Neményi Mária, Szalai Júlia, Szuhay Péter, Vidra Zsuzsanna, Virág Tünde és Zentai Viola
__________

Tisztelt Köztársasági Elnök Úr!

Az elmúlt hetekben - különösen a miskolci és a veszprémi események után - elszabadult indulatok veszélyeztetik az amúgy is sok nehézséggel terhelt együttélést Magyarország nem roma és roma népessége között. Úgy látjuk, hogy a mérvadó politikai személyiségek és a média ezen indulatok csillapításában erőtlennek mutatkoznak. Ezért kérjük Önt, hogy - amiként hasonló esetben a francia, német, brit közméltóságok - tegye nyilvánvalóvá, hogy aki a romák ellen fordul, az egyszersmind a magyar nemzet ellen fordul.

Bibó István szavait idézve: „A magyar demokrácia válságban van. Válságban van, mert félelemben él.” Hogy ezt a félelmet roma és nem roma honfitársaink legyőzzék, kérjük Önt mint a nemzet egységét megjelenítő legfőbb állami méltóságot, hogy foglaljon állást azokról a társadalmi és gazdasági dezintegrációs folyamatokról, amelyek magyar állampolgárokat fosztottak meg a méltó emberi élet, közösségeiket pedig a normális együttélés lehetőségétől. Szociológiai kutatások igazolják, hogy ezen kirekesztődött csoportokban a romák felülreprezentáltak. Az oktatásból, szociális ellátásból, legális munkaerő-piacról kiszoruló, társadalmilag megbélyegzett romák nem egyszerűen a legális megélhetés lehetőségeitől, hanem társadalmi tagságuk, állampolgárságuk legitimációs alapjaitól is megfosztatnak. A politikai elit nem hagyhatja, hogy e legkiszolgáltatottabb, legvédtelenebb roma csoportok a társadalmi erőszak prédáivá váljanak.

E levél aláírói több évtizede a romák és más magyarországi kisebbségek problémáit vizsgáló kutatók, valamint a kisebbségek megbecsülése és társadalmi integrációja iránt elkötelezett civilek. Így azt is látjuk, hogy nemcsak romák találhatók az egyre mélyülő gazdasági és társadalmi válság áldozatai között, hanem nagyon sok nem roma él félelemben egzisztenciáját, biztonságát, gyermekei jövőjét illetően. Mindannyiunk felelőssége, hogy ezek a félelmek ne erősítsék tovább a bűnbakképzési mechanizmusokat, és ezzel ne váljanak még súlyosabb társadalmi konfliktusok kiváltójává. Közös feladatunk, hogy honfitársainkat egymásrautaltságunkra emlékeztessük. De ezért Ön teheti a legtöbbet, Elnök Úr.

Ezért nyomatékkal kérjük, hogy szólaljon meg az együttélés és a társadalmi szolidaritás szükségességéről. Erre nagyszerű alkalomnak kínálkozik közelgő nemzeti ünnepünk, március 15-e, mely megérdemli, hogy újra a haladó nemzeti eszmék melletti hitünket fejezze ki, s ne váljék szélsőséges csoportok játékszerévé.

Budapest, 2009. február 19.

Kérjük, hogy írja alá Ön is:
Csatlakozni lehet a www.meltosag.net oldalon vagy az info@meltosag.net emailen.

A message to the European institutions concerning the need to urgently modify the policies on the Roma ethnic group

Rome, October 15, 2008

The European Union has demonstrated over the last few years that it possesses neither the experience nor adequate means for facing the "racism emergency". The situation in Italy, where every EU directive (starting from the 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000) and every international charter for the rights of minorities have been systematically violated by the institutions in their policies involving the Roma and immigrants, is symbolic of how resolutions and warnings are not sufficient for obtaining results on a civil level.

The EU Parliament, Commission and Council of Europe have expressed themselves several times, through every political means; warning first the Prodi Government and then the Berlusconi Government to abandon the repressive actions and "de facto" expulsion of thousands of EU citizens belonging to the Roma ethnic group.

The camp clearances without the offer of alternative humanitarian solutions; the violence used, and threats from the institutions; the practise of taking children from families living in hardship and the denial of any socio-medical assistance for Roma citizens, has led to a mass exodus of Roma (particularly Romanian Roma) from Italy to Spain, France or back to Romania. Over the last few years, in spite of the Decade of Roma Inclusion (which began in 2005) and all the European directives and resolutions against racism and in favour of a policy for the Roma, the situation of the so-called "nomads" has gradually deteriorated and no projects for social integration, no local ordinances and no emergency laws have been initiated to protect this ethnic group. If in 2005 there were between 180 - 210,000 Roma in Italy, today there are – as confirmed by the census – only about 70,000 remaining, living in disastrous social and sanitary conditions. The exodus, the infant mortality, illnesses and acts of violence have drastically reduced the number of Roma in Italy and a new humanitarian tragedy is expected with the onset of the cold weather. We have already had the first victims, but unfortunately it is only the beginning of a terrible period for these troubled people, whose average life span has fallen to around 40, with an appalling infant mortality rate.

What could the European institutions have done to prevent and counteract this tragedy in an effective way? First of all, they could have listened to the witnesses and all those who possess great experience in the field, experts who are in contact with the reality of the Roma, and who are studying the spread of anti-Roma sentiments in Italy: Marcel Courthiade; Juan de Dios Ramírez Heredia and Union Romani; Saimir Mile and La Voix des Rroms; Roberto Malini and EveryOne Group; Nico Grancea and "The Red Wheel"; Santino Spinelli and the Coordinamento Nazionale Antirazzista (National Anti-Discrimination Coordination) "Sa Phrala"; the MEPs Viktoria Mohacsi and Els de Groen, to mention just a few.

It is also necessary to realise that it is impossible to solve such an important problem by simply setting aside funds and waiting for the Member States to dip into these resources. First of all, it is necessary to lay down solid foundations for integration, starting with the countries where the Roma population is the most numerous and where the problems to be solved are particularly complex: Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia, Macedonia, the Czech Republic etc. In Romania, for example, there are about two million Roma: a generation that is the child of endless persecution, six centuries of slavery, the Holocaust and deep-rooted discrimination.

Centuries of precarious living conditions and hardship have undermined the health of this ethnic group, which reveals a high percentage of serious congenital diseases and illnesses connected to poverty. We have to urgently set up a social assistance programme for these people, who make up at least 20% of the Roma population in Romania. We cannot speak (for human beings suffering from serious illnesses) of an integration based solely on integration into the workforce. We will be able to do that for the next generation if the tragedy of this precarious lifestyle is overcome by contemporary Europe. Another crucial point is the education of Roma children. It is not possible to think of integrating them into the school system if we don't first remove from society the racism that marginalizes them and puts them at a disadvantage before their peers. Schools should make a special effort to offer Roma children (especially those born into families living in extreme poverty) an "oasis" where they can find the tranquillity necessary for private study. Support groups, made up of teachers, but also parents, should be present to guarantee educational and psychological support.

For this part of the programme, we would ask you to read the Frame Statute for Romani People in the European Union*, a document which is the result of many years of experience and knowledge, a document that should be studied in depth by the European institutions and maybe adopted in their policies for the Roma people. And then, jobs. Silvio Berlusconi, who does not know the reality of the Roma in depth and who is the promoter of repressive policies towards them, recently stated during talks with the Romanian Prime Minister Cãlin Popescu Tãriceanu, that "the Roma entering Italy from Romania have no professional skills and are therefore forced to resort to criminal activities". This is not true, because Italian companies, after years of propaganda from politicians and the press filled with racial hatred refuse to offer Roma citizens jobs, even when they possess all the requirements, as they forejudge them as being unreliable.

EveryOne Group has begun a programme of integration for Roma workers with Italian companies, but with poor results due to this widespread prejudice. It is true, however, that not even in Romania do Roma citizens have equal opportunities compared to other citizens, and if finding a steady job is difficult for everyone there, it is even more difficult for the Roma, who are subjected to discrimination and hostility. It is therefore necessary that the European Union becomes the promoter and sponsor of professional integration programmes reserved for Roma citizens living in Romania (and other countries with large numbers of Roma and where integration programmes are few and far between) both in the usual factory jobs, in commerce, agriculture and handicrafts; and in the traditional Roma activities: cattle-farming, biological agriculture, metalwork, and the recycling of materials etc. At the same time it will be necessary to encourage access to all forms of study for Roma students.

In short, seeing the failure of the majority of projects - which remain only on paper – created for the integration of Roma citizens within the Member States (badly organized by some states and not even attempted by others, Italy among them) it is probably time to "reset" the programme where the EU's policies for the Roma are concerned and concentrate on improving their conditions and their ability to grow socially in Europe by carrying out projects at the source - in the countries they have lived in for centuries. It will probably be much easier for the Member States of the EU to overcome their racist, xenophobic qualms when their borders are crossed by people from the Roma ethnic group who are in possession of significant qualifications and skills, instead of families coming from situations of great hardship and in precarious health. In order to tackle all the points in this letter with a full knowledge of the facts, we repeat the invitation to read the Frame Statute of the Roma People in the European Union* very carefully as it contains answers to many of the questions that cause anguish, when it comes to the subject of the Roma people, in the countries of modern Europe.

Yours Sincerely,

Roberto Malini, Matteo Pegoraro, Dario Picciau – EveryOne Group.

* Frame Statute of the Roma People in the European Union: www.rroma-europa.eu

For further information:

Gruppo EveryOne
Tel: (+ 39) 334-8429527 - (+ 39) 331-3585406
www.everyonegroup.com
info@everyonegroup.com

Dear friends and colleagues,

Please note that Amnesty International is looking for a Hungarian-speaking volunteer to assist the EU team at the International Secretariat in London with the work primarily, but not exclusively, regarding human rights violations against Roma in Hungary and Romania.

Romani and Romanian languages are desirable.

If you know somebody who may be interested please forward them the advert.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/jobs/volunteer-opportunities/europe-and-central-asia-programme-eu-team-hu-ro-20091019

Best regards,

Barbora Cernusakova

Dear Sir, we ask you to immediately act against the dramatic eviction of one thousand Travellers at Dale Farm (Essex) to avoid a true humanitarian tragedy. Thank you for your attention and support, Roberto Malini, Mateo Pegoraro, Dario Picciau, Glenys Robinson - Gruppo EveryOne

Dale Farm, Essex (United Kingdom): a dramatic appeal against the persecutions of the Travellers (English Gypsies) and the eviction from their own land

Tuesday 13, 2009. A dramatic and urgent appeal for help, like a cry for freedom, has reached EveryOne Group from the United Kingdom: “Dear EveryOne, we have just read your appeal to the European Union reporting the situation of the new “untouchables” - the Roma people - both in Italy and in the EU, and asking the international institutions to intervene as soon as possible to stop the persecution. Here in Great Britain, thousands of Roma people, also called “Gypsies” and “Travellers”, have been evicted from their own land. The institutions of my country have acted on what they call “the planning laws” which are really just a form of ethnic-cleansing. The authorities are asking for a clearance of the area which will leave entire families without a home, rights and a future. At Dale Farm, here in Essex, a thousand people, both Roma and Travellers, live in prefabricated housing, but the Basildon Council wants to bulldoze all our homes. We are fighting back and will resist any attempt at violent eviction by the police and bailiffs. Next week, the Court of Appeal will rule whether Basildon Council can launch its eviction operation - investing in the purge of my people (including many families) three million Euro. This money could be better spent in building homes for the Roma and Travellers instead of razing everything to the ground. We are appealing to your group to come here and monitor and the situation in order to observe and report on what is taking place to the international community. It is necessary to stop this tragic abuse, which would quash the human rights and the lives of hundreds of innocent families.”

EveryOne Group takes up the appeal and will be contacting the local institutions, the British Government, the European Commission, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and the European Court of Human Rights. We will bring to their attention the laws that protect the rights of Roma and Travellers in the United Kingdom and the EU, as well as the rights of children and adults to a home, schooling, socio-sanitary assistance and the possibility of taking an active part in society - not to mention the right to live in conditions of safety and dignity. Any attempt to clear the area would be an unacceptable racist pogrom, in sharp contrast with the British Constitution and Laws, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European directives and the charters that protect peoples and individuals. At the same time, we are preparing a dossier on the Roma and Travellers of Dale Farm, on their history and the importance of protecting their presence and ways of life in the United Kingdom. In the event of brutal action being carried out by the police force, members of EveryOne will join the Roma and Traveller families of Dale Farm in their peaceful resistance against this persecution.

The Dale Farm background

by Grattan Puxon, secretary of the Dale Farm Housing Association

Dale Farm is the home of some one thousand Travellers, recognized an ethnic group under UK law. Roma (English Gypsies) began establishing homes in UK in the l960s and were joined by Travellers in the l990s, especially after the l994 Criminal Justice Act increased the powers of police under s62 to “move on” those who, having nowhere else to legally place their caravans, attempted to camp on roadsides and car parks. At the same time, the new Act removed the duty on local councils to provide municipal caravan parks for Gypsies and advised our people to buy their own land. Many families have done so only to be refused planning permission to live on their own properties. Hundreds have since been evicted, often with great brutality, caravans and chalets being bulldozed and burned, property set on fire. Additional land was purchased at Dale Farm, mostly a former scrapmetal yard.

This has been subdivided into 52 plots or yards which are presently occupied by about 90 families. Planning permission has been refused. In May 2005 basildon council decided to take direct action and set aside nearly five million Euro to clear one thousand Travellers from the district. Already 25 “illegally camped” families have been forced to leave and some dozen families on plots at Hovefields Avenue, Wickford, have seen their properties bulldozed. Basildon wish to bulldoze Dale Farm but have been prevented by a High Court ruling. This ruling has been appealed against by the council and a decision by the Court of Appeal is expected shortly.

The decision to “clear” so-called illegal Travellers from the district has been condemned by the Labour party as a racially tainted policy. The Liberal Party is against force being used to evict families from Dale Farm. We experience the their policy as a form of ethnic-cleansing. The eviction operation is likely to meet with resistance as families forced out on the road with nowhere to go face further police harassment under s 62. There is also the danger of vigilante attacks, instigated by the British National Party which is very active in the area. Children will lose their education, the sick proper medical care. At present more than 80 Dale Farm children attend the Crays Hill Primary School. This will close if the eviction takes place. Another 50 children of secondary school age benefit from activities at the Saint Christopher Centre, built at Dale Farm with funding from Essex County Council. The young people have formed the Dale Farm Chaveys Youth Club and plans are in hand by Prof Stephen heppel of Anglia Rauskin University to set up a programme of education for the older children and adults. Basildon have already attempted to remove the Centre and would demolish it if the Appeal Court allows the eviction to go ahead. The community includes many infants, among them newly born triplets. Also a number of severely sick, elderly persons.

Dale Farm Housing Association and the Gypsy Council (which has been fighting evictions since l966) have asked senior police officers and the council to permit the evacuation of infants and sick persons before any eviction attempt is allowed to go ahead. They would be cared for in nearby church halls during the first day of what is expected to be a violent confrontation. The DFHA and GC want to ensure that health and safety regulations are fully adhered to in this operation. But it has not been possible to rreach agreement on the erection of safety fencing (as required by EU law) or a part-evacuation before heavy machinery moves in has yet been. A team of Monitors has been formed, which will be led by Joseph Jones (secretary of the Gypsy Council), expert to the UN Advisory Group on Forced Evictions. Those who have expressed a willingness to act as Human Rights Monitors include Lord Avebury and Nick Harvey MP, as well as members of the clergy.

Essex Fire and Rescue have tried to broker such an agreement. On three occasions council officials and more recently the police have turned down opportunities to discuss these matters. Meranwhile, a 26-page dossier on the past conduct of Constant & Co, the bailiff company contracted by Basildon, has been submitted to Justice Minister Jack Straw. This illustrates how bailiffs who lack certification to work with minors have manhandled and even assualted children during past evictions. The UK Children’s Commissioner has asked Basildon council how it will ensure the safety of of children during the eviction and what alternative accommodation is being provided. The answer is none. Basildon has been told that following an assessment of needs it has a duty to provide 71 additional plots or yards. This would just about meet the requirements of Dale Farm families, who only wish to be left where they are in their own homes. However, Basildon council leader Malcolm Buckley insists they cannot stay here as this is zoned as greenbelt and that there is no other place in the district to which they could move. This despite a recommendation by former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott that land be utilized for the purpose at Pitsea. The Gypsy Council has also said that land owned by Travellers in Basildon, and presently used for grazing horses, could be used if planning permission was granted.

See also: http://advocacynet.org/resource/1233 - http://www.echo-news.co.uk/search/3966297.Travellers_told_they_can___t_join_residents__association/

Contact: Gruppo EveryOne Tel: (+ 39) 334-3449180 - (+ 39) 334-8429527 www.everyonegroup.com info@everyonegroup.com

The Equal Rights Trust call on Roma from all over the world, as key stakeholders in the struggle for equality, to sign the Declaration of Principles on Equality (attached in pdf file), which is now the subject of a new campaign for universal recognition. The Declaration defines the right to equality as a basic human right and provides a global expression of equality between discriminated people. More than 120 of the world's leading human rights and equality experts participated in the drafting.

Economic recession and depression can lead to increasing exclusion and, at worst, persecution of the most vulnerable groups within society. That is why the Universal Declaration on Human Rights happened in 1948 and it is why we need to establish universal equality for all human beings today.

Vote for equality! Go to http://www.equalrightstrust.org/endorse/index.htm.

If you wish to sign the Declaration in your individual capacity, please fill in your details and click the 'Endorse' button on given webpage.

If you wish to endorse the Declaration on behalf of an organisation, please state so in an email message sent to info@equalrightstrust.org (Cc to Dimitrina.Petrova@equalrightstrust.org).

Dr Dimitrina Petrova
Executive Director
The Equal Rights Trust
One Lyric Square, 5th Floor
London W6 0NB
UK
Tel. +44 (0)20 3178 4113 (reception)
DD +44 (0)20 3178 4118
Fax +44 (0)20 3178 5537
Dimitrina.petrova@equalrightstrust.org
www.equalrightstrust.org

Dear friends and colleagues,

Hereby the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) asks for your interference in a case of possible eviction of Roma inhabitants, living in one of the oldest Roma neighbourhoods of Sofia, Batalova Vodenitsa. Batalova Vodenitsa is located near the city center and is well connected to transport infrastructure, which was why it is a lucrative plot. It has been in existence since 1911 although the houses there are considered “illegal” as they do not comply with the construction standards established by law. At present around 180 inhabitants live in Batalova Vodenitsa, including children and senior citizens, in very poor houses, which are their only homes. In 2005 they were targeted for eviction and the neighbourhood was to be demolished by the Sofia City Mayor, Mr. Boyko Borisov. In 2006 one Bulgarian newspaper wrote that the plot was to be sold to an Italian company. In 2006 the Supreme Administrative Court upheld the order of the Mayor with a very formalistic argument that he has the right to do this since the houses are “illegal” and are built on municipal land. With the assistance of the BHC the inhabitants filed a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, claiming a number of violations of the ECHR and requesting interim measures under art.39 of the Rules of the Court to stop the execution of the eviction order. The Court refused interim measures but, instead, applied art.40 of the Rules and immediately informed the government about the complaint. Probably because of that measure, along with an appeal of four MEPs in July 2006, the Mayor stopped the eviction in the last moment. Later on, the inhabitants of Batalova Vodenitsa were promised by the municipal authorities that they will be offered alternative accommodation. That offer however remained an empty promise. In the meantime they were allowed to live in Batalova Vodenitsa.

A few days ago, on 27 June, the District Mayor of Vuzrazhdane Region, Mr Eva Seizova (member of Borisov's political party, GERB), acting on the basis of the previous decision, warned the Roma inhabitants of Batalova Vodenitsa to leave their houses by 10 July. If they do not do this, a forcible eviction is scheduled for 11 July with demolition of the houses. Thus the Roma from Batalova Vodenitsa face another danger of eviction from their homes.

The BHC asks for your interference in that case through all means you consider appropriate. The address of the Mayor of Sofia is:

Mr. Boyko Borisov, Mayor of Sofia
Moskovska str., No.33
1000 – Sofia, Bulgaria

You can also send an email to Sofia Municipality from the following web site: http://www.sofia.bg/en/display.asp?ime=contact.

Best regards,

Krassimir Kanev
Chairperson, BHC

Az Élet Menete ismét Budapesten!
2008. április 16, szerdán 18.00
Találkozó: A Dohány utcai Zsinagóga előtt.

Az Élet Menete Alapítvány, a Mazsihisz, a Miniszterelnöki Hivatal, Budapest Főváros Polgármesteri Hivatala, a Páva utcai Holokauszt és Dokumentációs központ, civil szervezetek, zsidó és nem zsidó ifjúsági szervezetek ismét közösen szervezi meg a budapesti Élet Menetét.

A holokauszt áldozatainak emléknapján ismét fáklyás felvonulással emlékezünk az áldozatokra. Zsidókra, romákra, másságukért üldözöttekre, ellenállókra és azokra is, akik bátran szembeszállva a fasisztákkal és a nyilasokkal, mentették az üldözötteket. A 2008. évi megemlékezés a Dohány utcai Zsinagóga előtti téren kezdődik, ahonnan- az elmúlt évhez hasonlóan-fáklyákkal a kezünkben vonulunk végig a "Cipők a Duna-parton"
szobor kompozícióhoz, emlékezni azokra az emberekre, akiket a nyilasok 1944-45-ben a jeges Dunába lőttek.

Kedves Barátaink!

Úgy gondoljuk, hogy Budapesten is hagyományt teremtettünk az Élet Menetével ugyanúgy, mint minden évben, Lengyelországban az Auschwitz- Birkenau haláltáborok területén. Tartson ismét velünk, emlékezzünk és emlékeztessünk közösen! Részvételével, emberi tanúságtételével álljon mellénk a kirekesztéssel és a gyűlöletkeltéssel szemben.

www.eletmenete.hu

http://www.eletmenete.hu/index.php?p=Bp2008

INTERNATIONAL ROMA FILM FESTIVAL IN HUNGARY

September 2007

Call for entries

The 4th International Festival for Young Filmmakers in Miskolc, northern
Hungary welcomes entries of all types of films (feature, short, documentary,
animated) to a special category:

\"ROMA-IMAGE - Roma before and behind the camera\".

The festival, organized by CineFest and Hungary\'s only roma radio station,
Radio C, is an unique chance to explore Europe\'s roma-related films.

The films in this category will be awarded by an independent jury. The entry deadline is June 30, 2007. The DVD or VHS of the picture must arrive via mail until the deadline date, together with the signed and approved entry regulation and the obligatory supplements (photos, dialogue list, etc.).
The decision of the pre-jury is foreseen to the August 1, 2007.

Details about festival program, other events, jury, entry form etc. you can find on the webpage www.cinefest.hu.

RADIO C
FM 88.8
www.radioc.hu

Tradition, innovation, music and culture - a roma medium since 2001.

2 February 2010 Dear Colleagues The UK Association of Gypsy Women has embarked on a campaign that will call on the UN for immediate evacuation and re-settlement of the Roma community residing on lead contaminated camps in Kosovo. We are appealing for the support of Romany/Roma/Traveller NGO’s, individuals and all human rights organisations that will use their influence to lobby European and US Governments, not least Antonio Guterres UN High Commission for Refugees and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon regarding the plight of the Roma community residing on the Osterode and Cesmin-Lug refugee camps in Northern Kosovo.

The families’ original homes were at the “Roma Mahalla”, on the southern shore of the Ibar River, part of the oldest Mahalla in the Balkans, having thrived for almost 150 years. The homes here were burned by Kosovan Albanians in an attempt of ethnic cleansing as the conflict for Kosovo was ending: The families were packed into the contaminated camps by the UNHCR with an assurance their stay would be for just 45 days until a safer place could be found, however that was more than a decade ago.

The Roma refugee camps were built close to the Trepca lead mine and smelting works. The factory was closed by order of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UMIK) in 2000, but the slag heaps were never cleaned up.

Osterode camp is overlooked by a 200 metre high mountain of 100 million tons of toxic lead waste. Deadly grey dust blows continually down on the camp below, subjecting the families on a daily basis to toxic lead poisoning on an unprecedented scale.

There are some 650 families, with around 400 children, 200 of which are under the age of ten, residing on Osterode. So far 77 deaths to date in the camp, their organs have simply packed up. Furthermore, even if an immediate evacuation-re-settlement is orchestrated, it will take up to 10 years of intensive medical treatment to rid their blood of the poison. Meanwhile, as many as 200 children are forgotten and abandoned by the UNHCR.

The lead blackens the children’s teeth, blanks out their memory and stunts their growth: mood swings from nervous hyperactivity to something akin to coma; epileptic fits etc, every child conceived on the camps will be born with irreversible brain damage. Armed with this knowledge then and the evidence of the highest levels of poison in the blood ever recorded in history on humans, self affected abortion is preferable.

Dorit Nitzan of World Health Organisation (WHO) regional office, Belgrade, warned this is the worst lead poisoning that they know of in Europe. Lead in the blood is measured in micrograms per deciliter, measured in tens. More than 100 mg/dl in the blood is considered a catastrophically high level. (WHO tests showed the children had so much lead in their blood that medical equipment could not measure it accurately. It should be noted allegedly, that the Kosovo Force (KFOR) soldiers working in the contaminated areas were frequently tested for lead poisoning and were relocated to other parts of the province if the results were above acceptable limits.

Medical treatment, known as “Chelation”; was given to some of the children to clear the blood of the lead- sponsored by WHO but, the success of the treatment assumes that the children have been removed from the source of the pollution. Only one family is known to have left the camp, they were taken to Germany for their child to receive treatment and re-settled there.

Leading toxicologist Professor Alistair Hay, UK Government advisor, said he had never encountered a situation in all the years he had been looking at lead where the situation is as catastrophic as it is for these children.

In 2008 the UNHCR and its sister organisation, UNMIK, abandoned the people on the camps and handed responsibility of them over to the Kosovan Government. The WHO, International Committee Red Cross (ICRC) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have called for immediate evacuation and proper medical treatment for the people on the camps.

Roma families are being ‘voluntarily’ and forcibly returned from European Countries back to Kosovo steadily, it seems with utter disregard to the lifethreatening situation in which they may find themselves. Widespread discrimination against Roma people in Kosovo and the political, security and economic situation is not conducive to their return, moreover, one would imagine, that obtaining documentation and the repossession of property would prove to be extremely difficult for them.

We believe, the Dutch and Norwegian Governments have funded the rebuilding of the Roma Mahalla in Southern Mitrovica, the US Government have also launched a new project to re-house 50 families from Cesmin Lug where children go barefoot even in the winter on the polluted earth, however, the Roma people cannot be expected to feel safe going back to live in the Kosovan Albanian majority south after what happened in 1999, nor should they be encouraged or forced to do so.

Paul Polansky: Author, Historian, Poet, and Former Advisor to the UN on Roma in 1999, and Human Rights Activist, has tried in vain to get the refugees human rights recognised, has recently returned from a week in the camps.

He told me of nine year old Ergin who is suffering from Kidney Failure and his seven year old brother, who shares Ergin’s special diet, he is five years old and is in an even worse condition than Ergin. Although, Ergin has been hospitalised six or seven times during the past year, he will not survive without his special diet. Neither will his brother.

Ergin was taken off the special diet last September by the Kosovo Agency for Advocacy & Development, who are a Pristina-based Albanian NGO that has a contract with the Minister of Communities and returns to administer the Romani camps in north Mitrovica, KAAD said: the government could no longer meet the cost of the 7 euro’s a day for the special diet. Theirs will be probably be, the next two deaths in Osterode. It appears then, that the Kosavan government can find a better use for that 7 euros a day, other than to spend it on rescuing two little children from the jaws of death.

As Paul Polansky said, we have already lost an entire generation of Romani children to irreversible brain damage’, his contention is that it is doubtful, that they will be able to father another generation We strongly feel that the situation of the Romany/Roma/Traveller people across the whole of Europe today, especially that of Ostrode and Cesmin Lug camps are frighteningly reminiscent of events preceding the holocaust and can no longer be ignored. An article in 1996 in the Observer, by Nick Cohen, stated ‘Gypsies have become the Jews of Europe’. It drew comparisons with the attitudes towards the Jews of the 1930s and the Gypsies of the 90s, comparisons that in UKAGW view remain unchanged today. The situation in Kosovo needs intervention as a matter of urgency.

In 2000, the EU leaders pledged to make a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty by 2010, mindful of this then, the time is now for all human rights activists to lobby for the immediate evacuation and re-location, of the Roma community from the living hell that they are forced to endure on a daily basis on the toxic waste camps in Kosovo.

Rachel Francis-Ingham | ukagw@ymail.com

(From http://www.enar-eu.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=15284&la=1&langue=EN)

Racism is a reality in the lives of ethnic and religious minorities in the EU. The extent and manifestations are however often unknown and undocumented, especially in official data sources, and as a consequence it can be difficult to analyse the situation and to establish solutions. Even where there are extensive official data, NGOs offer a vital alternative data source that comes directly from experiences of those individuals and communities experiencing racism on a daily basis.

Against this background, since 2001, ENAR has piloted, extended and continuously improved the ENAR Shadow Reports. The reports developed to become a major tool for monitoring the situation of racism and xenophobia in the EU member states. They also proved to be an invaluable documented starting point for strategic and coordinated action for the anti-racist civil society towards national governments, the European institutions, bodies and the media.

Since the first European Shadow Report in 2004 and following subsequent improvements, many stakeholders, including other NGOs and institutional stakeholders, have remarked the progress and usefulness of ENAR’s analysis. The Shadow Reports have proved to be a major tool for advocacy and communication towards national governments and European institutions and bodies and have been used by other stakeholders as an evidence base. The reports are unique in that they bring together facts & developments to help build a counter-perspective on racism that reflects the views of NGOs and victims and local, national and EU levels and have had a demonstrable impact on policy change, representing a key source of analysis.

With the objective of maintaining highest quality, ENAR is seeking an author to draft the comparative European Shadow Report 2007.

The comparative EU wide Shadow report is based on the ENAR National Reports 2007, covering comparatively the same topics as outlined in the Handbook of Instructions for the ENAR National Shadow Reports 2007.

The European Shadow Report 2007 shall reflect the NGO perspective and the situation of racism comparatively in the European Union and shall include the following:

1. Executive summary and introduction

2. Description of victim groups (e.g. immigrants, ethnic or religious minorities, refugees, visible minorities etc.)

3. Specific areas in which racism and religious discrimination is visible/hidden in the national context, such as the labour market, housing, education, personal experiences etc.

4. Summary of the political and legal context, and policy developments in the areas of anti-discrimination, migration and integration, criminal justice, social inclusion

5. Data collection: a description of the process of collecting data on discrimination or any difficulties experienced in collecting information on this topic

6. Good/best practice of NGO work against racism.

7. Set of recommendations for further actions to be undertaken at EU level

8. Conclusion

The European Shadow Report 2007 shall be produced in English on the basis of 24 National Reports written in English and 3 National Reports written in French.

Financial compensation for completion of the study, which should not be longer than 30-35 pages, is €6000 (tax and VAT included).

Deadline for submitting proposals for writing the European Shadow Report 2007 is Monday, 28 July 2008.

The author of the study will be selected by Thursday, 31 July 2008 and shall start drafting the report on Monday, 4 August 2008.

Deadline for submission of draft study is Friday, 19 September 2008.

Deadline for incorporate changes sent by ENAR Secretariat and submit final draft is Tuesday, 30 September 2008.

Proposals should include:

- Letter of application, including a statement of expertise on human rights and race equality issues in the European context; and language skills
- One relevant writing sample
- A brief elaboration on the methodological approach used to work and timeline including key deadlines and tasks
- Budget breakdown on the costs involved in completing the task

Proposals should be marked “European Shadow Report 2007” and forwarded to ENAR Secretariat, 43 Rue de la Charité, B-1210 Bruxelles, Belgium, Email: katalin@enar-eu.org

Deadline:

13 August 2008

Budget line/available budget:

EUR 200 000

Objectives and supported actions in the field of ENAR's work:

The subject of the contract is to collect and analyse data and information in order to deliver a report and a handbook of good practices as outlined in detail in Annex A.1 of the technical specifications.

Applicants:

---

Legal basis:

FRA2-2008-3200-T03

Community contribution:

Estimated value excluding VAT: EUR 200 000

Publication reference:

FRA2-2008-3200-T03

Contact:

procurement@fra.europa.eu

General remarks:

You can find more information here: http://eumc.eu.int/eumc/index.php?fuseaction=content.dsp_cat_content&catid=3e4a7c4a74f57&contentid=4864e2d596f9c

19.8.2008

Deadline

25 September 2008, 17:00

Budget line / available budget

EUR 220 000 - 280 000

Objectives and supported actions in the field of ENAR's work
The subject of the contract is to collect and analyse data and information in order to deliver a comparative report, a working paper and 6 case study reports. The objective of the project is to study the housing situation of Roma and travellers across the EU, highlighting significant initiatives that improve their living conditions, in order to provide the Agency with the essential evidence for its conclusions and opinions to the Community institutions and EU Member States, which will assist them in developing appropriate policies and measures to improve the situation.

The obligations of the contractor in the context of this project are to develop 1 comprehensive comparative report, 1 working paper containing an analysis of survey data that will be made available to the contractor, 6 case studies, and implement 1 round table conference. The contractor must develop the project in close cooperation with Roma civil society organisations, as appropriate.

The comparative report will rely on:

thematic studies that will be carried out by RAXEN National Focal Points;
on the analysis of the survey data; and
on the key findings of the 6 case studies.
Applicants

Participation in tendering procedures is open on equal terms to all natural and legal persons coming within the scope of the Treaties and to all natural and legal persons in a third country which has a special agreement with the Communities in the field of public procurement on the conditions laid down in that agreement.

Legal basis

FRA2-2008-3200-T04

Community contribution

Estimated value excluding VAT: between EUR 220 000 and EUR 280 000.

Publication reference

FRA2-2008-3200-T04

Contact

procurement@fra.europa.eu

General remarks

You can find relevant documents here: http://eumc.eu.int/eumc/index.php?fuseaction=content.dsp_cat_content&catid=3e4a7c4a74f57&contentid=48a98bcce8051

Between December 10, 2007 - International Human Rights Day - and March 8, 2008 - International Women's Day - Mama Cash (www.mamacash.org/) runs a Campaign 88 Days for women's rights.

You can make a contribution too! How? At 88days.mamacash.org you can read all about the campaign.

One of the easiest and fastest ways to support Campaign 88 Days is to spread the word about women's rights. Know a friend or two who would like to learn about Mama Cash and Campaign 88 Days? Send the campaign e-card to as many people as possible 88days.mamacash.org/page.php?id=2169.

BELGIQUE/4020 LIEGE
BLD.EMILE DE LAVELEYE 122/11
ASENOV ALEKO-0032/0/496488672

Kedves Támogatónk, kedves Barátunk!

Amikor petíciót fogalmaztunk Sólyom Lászlónak, nem gondoltuk, hogy több mint kétezer aláíró gyűlik össze néhány nap alatt – ekkor született meg a Méltóságot Mindenkinek Mozgalom és a meltosag.net. Amikor valamivel később a „Nem az én nevemben" akciót elindítottuk, magunk sem számítottunk arra, hogy több mint tizenhétezer aláírás érkezik majd a nemazennevemben.eu oldalra és a képek száma is meghaladja a több ezret! Pedig ezen az oldalon látszólag semmi sem történt, s az aláíráson, képfeltöltésen kívül semmit nem is lehetett kezdeni vele. Mégis rendületlenül klikkeltetek, nézegettétek a képeket, húsz nyelven olvastátok az oldalt és gyönyörködtetek Oláh Jolán mozaikjában. Úgy gondoltuk, ennél sokkal többet érdemeltek – hiszen éppen azokban az időkben látogattatok rendre hozzánk és vállaltátok névvel, képpel a szélsőjobb előtörése miatti rosszallásotokat, amikor az ország többsége visszavonult vagy belesimult az arctalan tömegbe. Ezért hoztuk létre a www.coMMMunity.hu oldalt – ahol már nem csak nézelődhetsz, olvasgathatsz, képet tölthetsz fel és gyönyörködhetsz, hanem számos más dolgot is csinálhatsz: aktívan építheted az emberi méltóság tiszteletben tartását vallók közösségét. Gyere, regisztrálj, posztolj, blogolj, oszd meg velünk és másokkal gondolataidat, képeidet, filmjeidet és persze hozd el barátaidat is. Ez az oldal a Te oldalad! Egy olyan oldal, amilyen eddig még nem létezett. Nálunk bárki újságíróvá lehet, aki regisztrál és hisz abban, hogy a publikálással visszaszoríthatja a gyűlölködést.

Építsünk együtt egy közösséget, és mutassuk meg, hogy a szabad szónak ereje van!

Szeretnénk veled is megosztani örömünket. Gyere el a nyitóbulijára október 17-én 18.00-tól a Gödör klub kávézójába.

Program: a TÁP színház színház-koncertje, beszélgetés, végül tánc Dj Clairvo lemezeire.

coMMMentezz, ne háborúzz!

PS: Tegeződni és magázódni egyszerre nem szeretnénk - a tegező forma tehát a bizalom és nem a bizalmaskodás jele.

A Contest for young leadership talent from minorities of any kind on www.eurobama.net or www.atmospheuropa.eu  

The AtmosphEUROPA contest is organized by the ICLS (The Intercultural Communication and Leadership School) of Rome – www.intercivilization.net and The Intercivil Society of London. The Contest is supported by the President of European Parliament, leading members of mainstream political groups (left and right) of the European Parliament, the European Commission and a number of civil society partners. The Contest has been inspired by the 21st century social mobilization methods of Barack Obama.

This contest is for you if: YOU ARE less than 30 years old, coming from a minority background and living in Europe and

YOU LEAD on climate protection, on good diversity in society, or on poverty reduction.

YOU WIN this Contest if you mobilize the most people who will vote for you and your ideas on climate, diversity and poverty.

YES. YOU CAN submit your candidacy before 30 September 2009 and the public will vote for you and your leadership ideas on the Internet in October. The 12 most successful candidates (12 stars) will be invited to Brussels for the prime time final on 4 November 2009. Then another public vote will choose the most popular one among the 12 stars.

YES. YOU CAN do this all through www.eurobama.net or www.atmospheuropa.eu.

In the early hours of Monday, February 23 a new violent act has taken place causing the death of a five years old child and his father. Most recently the brutal murder of Marian Cosma, a member of the Romanian national handball team, shocked the whole country. But in addition to these tragic events, there are other crimes taking place, too, day by day which get less attention. However, the fact is that the police and the judiciary in general are unable to cope with their duties and in some cases they made striking mistakes in between the investigation and the verdict. The picture that comes through to the large public from these events is that while during the turmoil some members of the police - sometimes breaking the law and ultimately backing each other - apply unjustifiable violence even against innocent bypassers. They do not take measures against organized criminal groups and ethnic based attacks even if they have all necessary information at their disposal. The criminal gangs in the environs of Veszprém, a town in Hungary, have led an obvious illegal way of life in the front of local authorities. Following the tragic events in Tatárszengyörgy the authorities ignored the obvious fact of perpetrators. All these experiences inflamed popular feelings to an unprecedented degree, the process is being even more intensified by everyday problems stemming from the economic meltdown and the instigative behavior of extremist groups.

Therefore, we civilians, members of the Action Against Violence movement, are asking the Government and all competent authorities to re-establish trust in jurisdiction. Put the existing law in operation in all its rigor now, before the large public demands the application of more severe punishment and the introduction of inhuman punitive sanctions that would only result the spread of violence and injustice. Authorities should make clear that all citizen regardless of the color of their skin are entitled to protection while all perpetrators have to assume the consequences of their deed.

Furthermore, we ask that the Government should take genuine measures for the radical settlement of the situation of millions of people living in deep poverty. The increase of social problems – besides ongoing disadvantages – is considerably contributing to the intensification of the tensions.

We are aware that the solution of the situation does not depend solely on the government. Therefore at the same time we are appealing to every one of our fellow citizens. Although the increase in number of violent acts during the last couple of weeks and the exasperated opinions that followed them have saddened us very much, we are pleased to find out also about many new initiatives within which Hungarians, both from majority and Roma communities, have stood by a country that should be built on reconciliation and cooperation.

More and more people realize that the real difference is not between Roma and non-Roma but between honest and dishonest people which has nothing to do with the color of the skin. Even in the midst of ever increasing tension, more and more people dare give voice to their conviction that stigmatizing an entire ethnic group with collective guilt is unacceptable and is extremely harmful. The clash between different ethnic groups would equally harm all Hungarians: both Roma and non-Roma. Only extremist groups would benefit of it, therefore they use all possible means to intensify artificially the tensions.

Therefore we are asking all Hungarian citizens regardless of their ethnic background to stand for peaceful coexistence, to respect the laws in force and to seek non-violent and non-partisan solutions. We are asking all citizens to give voice to their conviction in this regard and to assist the immediate and larger community by offering alternative solutions to exclusivist and violent acts. And last but not least support all those groups and initiatives which are actively striving to achieve these goals!

Common Action Against Violence Civic Movement

movementagainstracism@gmail.com

Main responsibilities:

To manage and develop the ERIO external and internal communication and information strategies

· On-line publishing - manage, develop and update ERIO's website
· Drafting, editing and issuing regular newsletters and e-news.
· Producing relevant publications and position statements.
· Regularly monitoring of EU policies and activities.
· Regularly monitoring activities and events of the European Roma movement.
· Help develop and implement visual identity and creative aspects of all publications and presentations of ERIO.
· Drafting and editing summaries on important Roma-related events.
· Writing press material.
· Developing, maintaining and updating ERIO's database of media representatives, Roma and non-Roma NGOs, governmental officials as well as EU and other inter-governmental institutions.
· Organizing press conferences or media briefings.

Personal skills:

- Outstanding drafting skills
- Fluent English is a must, knowledge of other EU languages and in particular French and Romanes is an advantage
- University degree or equivalent (i.e. journalism, communication or public relations) and/or at least 3 years work experience in a similar position (experience with working with European level NGOs is an advantage)
- Excellent knowledge of desktop publishing and practical application of MS Office
- Experience with developing and updating websites
- Ability to analyse policy documents and media materials, to present concise summaries and to rapidly draft press release or position papers.
- To be familiar with EU processes and the Roma movement.
- To take multiple tasks.
- To work in team.

To apply for the position, submit CV and letter of interest with at least two references to ERIO's Executive Director, Ivan Ivanov at ivan.ivanov@erionet.org no later than April 10, 2008.

**********

The European Roma Information Office (ERIO) is an international advocacy organization, which promotes political and public discussion on Roma issues by providing factual and in-dept information on a range of policy issues to the European Union institutions, Roma civil organizations, governmental authorities and intergovernmental bodies.

The ERIO cooperates with a network of a large number of organizations and acts to combat racial discrimination and social exclusion through awareness raising, lobbying and policy development.

ERIO
Ave. Edouard Lacomble 17
Brussels 1040
Belgium

Tel: 0032(0)27333462
Fax: 0032(0)27333875

For more information:

E-mail: ivan.ivanov@erionet.org

www.erionet.org

The European Roma Information Office ERIO express its deep concern on the aggressive racial attacks against Roma people in Italy by members of the Italian society and on the passive position held by the Italian authorities. ERIO asks the Italian government to take urgent measures to stop Anti-Roma attacks and ensure security and protection to Roma communities.

The latest violent cases against Roma carried out by non-state individuals as well as by police forces are clear signs of an organized anti-Roma action in Italy.

On May 11 the Roma camp in via Novara, in Milan was put on fire with several Molotov cocktails bottles thrown by extremist groups.

On May 13 anti-Roma riots exploded in the Ponticelli area in Naples, and several hundred Roma had to flee from their camps because of the violent attacks from angry local Italian citizens. These attacks were provoked by the alleged attempt of a Romani girl to kidnap a six-months old baby from its Italian parents.
On May 12 and 13 a large scale arbitrary arrests of more than 400 Roma, that were registered and fingerprinted and obviously prepared for deportation, took place in Florence.

All these events and other incidents in different regions of Italy which took place last week are results of a long time tension between local Italians and Roma people, fostered by anti-Roma statements from high level politicians and State representatives. Italian decision makers and right wing extremist try to justify their anti-Roma attitude by an individual case transformed in collective responsibility.

Therefore, the European Roma Information Office calls the Italian government to take urgent measures to stop Anti-Roma attacks and ensure security and protection to Roma communities.

Ivan Ivanov, ERIO executive director, invites "the Italian police authorities to investigate and take legal action against those responsible for the violent attacks against Roma".

Roma community in Italy is mainly made up by European citizens. Therefore they should enjoy the same rights and protection against discrimination like other European citizens residing in Italy.

So, while designing its immigration regulations, Italian government has to make sure that this legislation is in conformity with: the European Directive 2004/38 against discrimination, the Race Equality Directive 2000/43 E , the EU Migration Package which will be adopted soon and other European human rights documents subscribed by Italy. Mr. Ivanov added that "the immigration package which is under elaboration in Italy should not lead to discrimination because the measures taken so far have disproportionate impact on Roma".

Italian government has urgently to adopt policies for the smooth integration of Roma communities and ensure for them equal access to education, employment, housing, health care and public services. In order to do this, Italy shall use the European funds provided for Roma integration.

European Roma Information Office also ask the European Commission to ensure that the principle of equal treatment is strictly followed by each Member state, to adopt a horizontal approach concerning Roma' situation in Europe and to propose as soon as possible a specific European Roma policy.

"Europe has to tackle anti-Gypsysm and discrimination in different policy fields - said Mr. Ivanov - including measures for Roma's integration, to establish effective monitoring in order to ensure full implementation of the anti-discrimination legislation at national level, and to guarantee the respect of human rights and equal treatment of Roma in accordance with the European legislation and basic principles".

On the other hand, ERIO welcomes the today initiative of the European Parliament to debate on the situation of Roma in Italy and other EU countries.
ERIO asks MEPs to find concrete proposals for the solution of the crises. ERIO also suggests to set up meetings with representatives of the Italian Parliament to discuss possible legislative measures concerning the living conditions of Roma.
__________

The European Roma Information Office (ERIO) is an international advocacy organization, which promotes political and public discussion on Roma issues by providing factual and in-dept information on a range of policy issues to the European Union institutions, Roma civil organizations, governmental authorities and intergovernmental bodies.

The ERIO cooperates with a network of a large number of organizations and acts to combat racial discrimination and social exclusion through awareness raising, lobbying and policy development.

ERIO
Ave. Edouard Lacomble 17
Brussels 1040
Belgium

Tel: 0032(0)27333462
Fax: 0032(0)27333875

For more information:

E-mail: ivan.ivanov@erionet.org

www.erionet.org

On 16 May 2008, the European Roma Rights Centre sent a letter to high-ranking Italian government authorities demanding intervention following anti-Romani pogroms taking place in Naples. The letter, sent to the Italian Prime Minister, the Italian President, the Minister of Interior, the head of the Italy’s National Office Against Racial Discrimination and the Public Prosecutor, pointed to similarities between the recent events in Italy and anti-Romani pogroms taking place in Romania in the early 1990s, for which the European Court of Human Rights has ruled against Romania three times since 2005. The ERRC also highlighted the responsibility of high ranking Italian politicians for contributing to the current climate of hostility against Roma in Italy.

In its letter, which was also copied to various intergovernmental institutions, the ERRC urged Italian authorities to:

1) Provide adequate protection to all Roma in Italy against violence racist attacks and other discriminatory actions;
2) Firmly denounce the pogroms which have taken place to date;
3) Ensure adequate and effective investigation of the events in Naples, Milan and elsewhere, and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all responsible persons, including public officials making hostile statements about Roma which incite racial hatred; and
4) Fully co-operate with intergovernmental institutions, international organizations and domestic civil society to swiftly and effective end the human rights emergency of Roma in Italy.

The full draft of the letter is available online at: http://www.errc.org/db/03/03/m00000303.pdf.

For further information, please contact Tara Bedard, Programmes Coordinator, tara.bedard@errc.org, +36.1.413.2200

Persons wishing to express similar concerns are urged to contact:

Mr Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Republic of Italy
Palazzo del Quirinale
Piazza del Quirinale - 00187 Rome
Fax +39 06 46993125

Mr Silvio Berlusconi, President of the Council of Ministers
Palazzo Chigi, Piazza Colonna 370
00187 Rome, Italy
Fax: +39 06 6779 5342/5326

Mr Roberto Maroni, Italian Minister of Interior
Ministry of the Interior, Palazzo Viminale
00187 Rome, Italy
Fax: +39 06 46549815

Mr Marco De Giorgi, General Director
Ufficio Nazionale Antidiscriminazioni Razziali (UNAR)
Dipartimento Diritti e Pari Opportunità
Largo Chigi 19, 00187 Rome, Italy
Fax: +39.06 67792272

Procura della Republica Circondario:Roma
Piazzale Clodio
00195 ROMA (RM)
Via Gregorio VII, 122 (3° piano)
00167 ROMA (RM)
Fax: +39.06.39736135
procura.roma@giustizia.it

Mr Jose Manuel Barroso
President of the European Commission
European Commission
1049 Brussels, Belgium
Fax: +32 2 295 0138/39/40

Mr Hans-Gert Pöttering
President of the European Parliament
European Parliament,
Rue Wiertz, PHS 11B011, 1047 Brussels, Belgium
Fax: +32 2 28 49769

Mr Vuk Jeremic
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia
Chair of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers
24-26 Kneza Milosa St., 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Fax +381 11 3618-366

Ms Polonca Koncar
Chair of the European Committee of Social Rights
Secretariat of the European Social Charter, Directorate of Human Rights
Council of Europe, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, FRANCE
Fax: +33 3 88413700

Mr Thomas Hammarberg
Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights
Council of Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, FRANCE
Fax: +33 3 90215053

Mr Miloon Kothari
UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing
Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights
UNOG-OHCHR, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 9179006

The European Roma and Travellers Forum is seeking for a qualified person
to conduct a quantitative survey on the impact of the EU anti-discrimination
legislation on the situation of Roma in old and new EU member states.

Person specification:

- University degree in Social Sciences or Law;
- Good knowledge of the situation of Roma in the EU and on anti-discrimination legislation;
- Proven experience in quantitative research and in the conduct of comparative surveys;
- Strong analytical and writing skills in English or French;
- Ability to work independently;
- Good knowledge of Romani or multiple language skills highly desirable.

Interested candidates should send a letter of motivation and a copy of their CV including
relevant experience to the Secretariat of the European Roma and Travellers Forum where
further information can be obtained:

European Roma and Travellers Forum

c/o Council of Europe
Bâtiment G
1, quai Jacoutot
F - 67 075 Strasbourg

e-mail: ertf@ertf.org or ertf@coe.int

Ref no: ERTF/2008/01/PR

Title: Communications and PR Officer

Dead-line for application: 22/02/2008

Start date: As soon as possible

Location: Strasbourg, France

Job type: Full-time

Salary: 2,100 EUR net (after tax)

Duration of the contract: 1 year with a possibility for extension

Minimum experience required: 3 - 5 Years

Qualifications: Relevant University Degree

Essential Skills and Experience

* Vision on international affairs: awareness of the international political, economic, social, and cultural context; organisational awareness.

* Managerial skills: influence and authority.

* Professional and technical competencies:
- professional expertise: has state-of-the-art knowledge and experience in the field of communications and public information and ability to address a range of issues related to
the European Roma and Travellers Forum’s information requirements.
- ICT skills;
- planning and work organisation
- Information seeking , analytical thinking, problem solving and judgment skills, conceptual thinking;

* Interpersonal skills: service and client orientation, team working, relationship building and networking, advising, negotiating and diplomacy.

* Communication and linguistic skills: communication, writing and presentation skills; is fluent in English and French language and good knowledge of a second; has knowledge of other European languages; can express oneself, present and draft clearly, concisely and convincingly in English, French or Romani.

* Personal attitudes: initiative and responsibility, result orientation and sense of continuous improvement, concern for quality and efficiency, adaptability, self-management and development, organisational alignment.

* Personal values: integrity, loyalty and conscience, discretion, independence and confidence,
respect for diversity.

Qualifications and Competencies

* A university degree or a recognised professional qualification in Communications, PR or
Marketing
* Proven track record of fund raising activities
* IT literate. Web technology and content management knowledge would be an advantage

To apply please send your latest CV and Motivation letter no later than 15 February 2008 to job@ertf.org. Please quote Ref no. ERTF/2008/01/PR in the subject heading.
__________

The European Roma and Travellers Forum is a non-profit making legal entity governed by the legislation in force in France. Its purpose is to oversee the effective exercise by Roma and Travellers of all human rights and fundamental freedoms protected by the legal instruments of the Council of Europe.

It aims to promote the fight against racism and discrimination and facilitate the integration of these population groups into European society and their participation in public life which also concerns the conditions of the said populations and the implementation of initiatives at the most adequate levels, primarily with regards to housing, health, education and employment.

In order to foster the development of the instruments for partnership which the Forum represents, the Council of Europe provides support for the functioning of the Forum in the form of a contribution of human, technical and financial resources

(8 hours/week)

A prominent feature of eumap.org is the online library, a wide-ranging collection of resources on the topics addressed now and in the past by EUMAP. There are currently close to 6,000 library records, on subjects varying from migration and EU politics to corruption. The main focus is on minority issues, specifically concerning Muslims and Roma, and on media policy. Records include academic and NGO research reports, policy papers, legislation, and media reportage.

EUMAP is looking to recruit a part-time (8 hr/week) Library Assistant, to take on a central task in maintaining and updating library content. The Library Assistant will reside in one of the current or candidate EU Member States. The library assistant can conduct his/her work from any location, as long as (s)he has independent computer and Internet access.

EUMAP staff may refer items to the Library Assistant for inclusion in the library, but the Assistant is also expected to independently review online resources to identify relevant material. The library assistant will enter an average of 25 items a week.

Applications will be accepted until 30 September. For more information, see
http://www.eumap.org/journal/announcements/library_assist_2007

ERRC wishes to announce the vacancy of the post of ERRC Legal Director.
Below you will find all the relevant information for applying for the post.

Documents include the:

• Job description
• Person specification
• Guidance notes for applicants
• Application form
• Equal opportunities form
• Recruitment feedback form

Please follow the link http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=2934 to access the ERRC application documents. You can search our website for information about the work of ERRC at www.errc.org.

The criteria we use for short-listing is set out in the person specification and follow on from the job description tasks. Please take time to read the guidance notes on how to fill out your application. It is important that your application shows how you meet ALL points mentioned in the person specification. If you do not meet all of the criteria or do not have experience on some of the points listed, please state how you would aim to accomplish the work.

Closing date for applications: 18 February (8.00 am Budapest time)
Interview date: Provisionally planned for Monday 3 March 2008 in Budapest

You are kindly asked to send your application (letter of interest, application form, paper and the equal opportunities form; the latter is not obligatory) preferably by e-mail to judit.geller@errc.org. Applications in other formats than outlined in the guidance notes will not be considered. Please ensure your e-mail has been received by requesting confirmation.

ERRC offers a competitive salary and benefits package based on experience.

We kindly ask you not to call for information before you are invited for an interview.

We wish you every success with your application and thank you for your interest in ERRC.

European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)

ERRC wishes to announce the vacancy of the post of ERRC Programme Officer - international advocacy.

Below you will find all the relevant information for applying for the post.

Documents include the:

• Job description
• Person specification
• Guidance notes for applicants
• Application form
• Equal opportunities form
• Recruitment feedback form

Please follow the link http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=2933 to access the ERRC application documents. You can search our website for information about the work of ERRC at www.errc.org.

The criteria we use for short-listing is set out in the person specification and follow on from the job description tasks. Please take time to read the guidance notes on how to fill out your application. It is important that your application shows how you meet ALL points mentioned in the person specification. If you do not meet all of the criteria or do not have experience on some of the points listed, please state how you would aim to accomplish the work.

Closing date for applications: 18 February (8.00 am Budapest time)
Interview date: Provisionally planned for Tuesday 4 March 2008 in Budapest

You are kindly asked to send your application (cover letter, application form and the equal opportunities form; the latter is not obligatory) preferably by e-mail to judit.geller@errc.org. Applications in other formats than outlined in the guidance notes will not be considered. Please ensure your e-mail has been received by requesting confirmation.

ERRC offers a competitive salary and benefits package based on experience.

We kindly ask you not to call for information before you are invited for an interview.

We wish you every success with your application and thank you for your interest in ERRC.

European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)

Brussels, 16 September 2008

Stanislaw Stankiewicz
President of the International Romani Union (IRU) Vice-President of the European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF)

Ivan Vesely
President of Dzeno association

Rroma settled in Europe more than one thousand years ago and are a trans-national European minority on this continent. That they are European is often not accepted nor acknowledged by many individuals and countries.Their history is often reduced to a long litany of discrimination, attempts at extermination, exclusion, poverty, and now, Rroma are mostly considered to be a social problem. While all this did and still does occur, a closer look at the facts shows that in countries and regions where they weleft in peace, Rroma actually integrated and lived peaceful lives.

With the rise of the nation states in Europe in the 19th century and the climaxes that resulted from Nationalism in the 20th century, the situation clearly deteriorated. In many countries the exclusion and discrimination do continue. That Rroma never had nor wanted to have a country puts them at the mercy of the policies of the places they live in.
With eight to twelve millions Rroma in Europe, Europe is faced with a challenge: How to accept and integrate them. For if this doesn’t happen, Europe will face a problem of proportions that are no longer manageable. One often speak about a “Rroma Problem”, we prefer to say that it is Europe as a whole that is faced with one. Today, basic human rights, the foundation of the European Union, are still not respected. Worse, as seen lately in Italy, policies based on ethnicity are put in place by a European government, with almost no concrete reactions.

Officially, Rroma are citizen of the country they live in. In practice, they are often considered to be second-class citizen at best, and administrative discrimination is a fact in many countries. Clearly, some laws have been enacted, some window dressing has been put in place. Policies vary from self-government, reserved seats in parliaments, to minority status, but these are not addressing the fundamental issue of the recognition of Rroma as true citizen of their countries and of Europe.
Europe has passed enough laws, conventions, directives (for example 2000/43, EC 29/6/2000; 2000/78,EC 27/11/2000), about human rights and minorities and the European Union’s members have signed all of them. But these are often not respected. In practice, not all European countries have updated their laws to reflect these directives, or, have often not enforced them.

Populism is on the rise, and all to often, politicians look for scapegoats. Italy suddenly awoke to the fact that among the more than one million Romanians in their country, there are about 100,000 Rroma. Certainly not one million, and certainly not since a few months. No, some of them have been there for several years.

We have to ask how can the political processes be influenced to try to change and improve the situation of Rroma in Europe. How can local laws be changed, how can local attitudes and stereotypes be addressed?

There certainly needs to be more education of the majority population to counter the usual prejudices and to allow them to open their minds towards Rroma. The press, but also many NGOs are in dire needs to change their representation and thoughts about Rroma. All too often, these represent and reduce Rroma to a poor, uneducated, unemployed or to outright criminals. If all Rroma did conform to these stereotypes, where would we be today? But without changing this, how can one further the Rroma integration in Europe and how can one change society so that Rroma are considered to be citizen like any others?

In the 21st century, there are still many Rroma who live in the middle of Europe like in the third world. No real houses, no water, no electricity, no infrastructure provided by the state, segregation in school, police excess, and indifference from the local population at best. Apart from the segregation and discrimination, this is not only true about Rroma but is also a fact in many rural regions in the new European Union members.

Experience has shown that in such difficult situations, Rroma loose their traditions, language, and culture. And this happens here in Europe, in the European Union. This process of acculturation in turns, increases the difficulties in integration. Marginalisation prevents Rroma from improving their situation. Children have few chances to study in good schools as they are still discriminated against or put into special schools. Incentives from governments are often ill thought. We, as Rroma, still do not understand why this is still the case and think that this is inadequate. Rroma are still not truly respected within the European Union, even though this institution is the very one based on the respect of all.

Politicians have not done much to change this. They should turn towards integration, and not resort to populist measures. Demonizing Rroma as the archetypal “foreigner” is dangerous… A lot of time was lost, and the policies put in place were not effective. We, Rroma, have enough of seminars, conferences, speeches; we want concrete facts, work, political will, decisions about Rroma, decisions and actions which will generate true changes. And make sure Rroma are recognised as true European people. We also have enough of groups, coalitions, which are pushing themselves on the forefront, saying they represent Rroma, often without any Rrom in their ranks. All to often, one Rrom is taken as a partner, as a figurehead in projects aiming at helping Rroma.

It seems to us that all to often, Rroma are still not trusted as true partners. There is a pattern of paternalism both at political and grassroots level. “We know what is best for you” is still the norm. Inclusion of truly representatives organisations, based on democratic structures, is still not the norm. We wish to see more projects initiated by Rroma for Rroma, on the premises of “Rroma help Rroma” in full partnership with political organisations and NGOs.

Three years into the Rroma decade, the increasing issues, the lack of overall progress begs for a new approach and decisive action. The time is now right to go a new way. To give ourselves the goal to truly resolve some of the problems Europe is facing, and to push for the integration of Rroma. We need to educate both communities to change the mentalities and thoughts. The general population needs to understand and accept that Rroma are Europeans, that they are part of our common culture, and Rroma need to change and open themselves towards the challenges of the future. Let’s not focus on the past, focus on the “victim” syndrome, but look proudly forward at what we can achieve.
We sincerely hope that this meeting will mark a turning point. The list of participants, with the president of the European Commission, Mr. Barroso, with Mr. Soros, with ministers from various governments etc., shows the importance of the challenge. We hope that all participants will look for a common road and strategy to change the deteriorating situation of Rroma in Europe. We hope that Rroma and Rroma organisations will be considered as true partners in this process.

Rroma have changed in the last twenty years. Many young ones are becoming true activists, are organising across national borders. The manifestations against some of the Italian policies in Italy, Vienna, Madrid, have shown that they are ready to take their destiny in their own hands. Rroma organisations, such as this IRU have also changed, have democratised, become more transparent. But they need support. Rroma organisations have all to often be deprived of financial support for concrete projects. We, as the IRU, but also on behalf of other representative organisations, ask once again to be considered as full-fledged partners. We would like once again to stress that without support from the Rroma community at large, no program can succeed.

The European Union also needs to monitor the Rroma situation and its member states closely and react immediately. The Italian case shows that this is alas not yet the case. Disrespect of policies, principles, and laws should not remain without any consequences. The European Union should act decisively against any attack against democracy.

We, as the International Romany Union, want to thanks Slovenia for the opportunity to present our views to Europe at large, and also Croatia, where we will organise shortly the 7th Rroma World Congress. We hope that France, with its tradition of human rights, and the Czech Republic, the next president of the European Union, will continue to further the dialogue but also will take concrete actions to improve the overall situation of Rroma in Europe.

For if we, all Europeans, including Rroma, do nothing, we are facing a potential catastrophe. If the situation in some countries deteriorates, Rroma will move. And this in turn will fuel resentment and further exclusion. The time to act has come. We hope that as the IRU, but also on behalf of other Rroma grassroots organisations, we will be partners in this endeavour.

Stanislaw Stankiewicz
stahiro.irul@neostrada.pl

Ivan Vesely
vesely.ivan@wo.cz

Let’s share about the European Convention on Human Rights' impact on Europeans everyday lives, its achievements and shortcomings. Let's debate about how we perceive our rights to life, liberty, security, a fair trial, family life and freedom of conscience, religion and expression.

By becoming a fan of the Convention’s Facebook page, you will have the opportunity to view topical movies, access pictures, leave comments on the wall, get to know with numerous multimedia resources as posters, animated brochures and podcasts, follow discussions and keep up to date with the latest events! Last but no means least, here you can get in touch with human rights supporters from all around Europe.

Our rights, our freedoms - Our Convention on Facebook - see you there!

A Council of Europe Newsalert

Imagine this.

May – June 2008

Four Molotov cocktails are thrown into a Jewish neighborhood in Italy. Two days later, assailants burn down another Jewish neighborhood causing approximately 800 residents to flee. Crowds of people are seen cheering live on the main national TV channel RAI yelling: Jews out! The riot police is not even alerted at the time the broadcast takes place.

During the next weeks, a number of similar incidents happen. The minister of interior, known for his anti-Semitic stands during his previous job as the minister of employment, decides the Jewish children should be fingerprinted for what he calls “safety reasons”.

The OSCE, organization which deals mainly with security issues and conflict prevention and resolution, known for taking extensive commitments to combating racism and promoting tolerance, announces it will discuss in one month’s time, during its next meeting in Vienna, on Jewish-related issues.

The OSCE plans to have the following three sessions:

Role and responsibility of regional and local authorities to assist in integrating Jews

Good practices and major challenges in improving the situation of Jews at local level: examples from municipalities

Policies to facilitate equal access of Jews to public services, in particular social services and education

Indeed the above are hard to imagine. Both the incidents and the reactions would be hardly believable even to the existing wishful European hardcore anti-Semites. It would be out-of-the-question that the OSCE would address only issues on the extreme margins of the relevant issue, and avoid mentioning ethnically motivated attacks or the blatant Italian officials anti-Semitism. Would be expected from leaders of the democratic world to speak harshly against Italy and condemn the acts of hate targeting Jews.

At http://www.ergonetwork.org/fascism.htm you can find the entire article which presents not only a long list of abuses in Italy targeting Roma but also the failure of Europe and Intergovernmental organizations to deploy similar standards for Roma as for ethnic majorities of Europe but also the reluctance to really speak up against anti-Gypsyism. The article concludes:

Anti-Gypsyism continues to be the most widespread, accepted and unpunished form of racism in Europe. The current Italy crisis – in which parties with explicitly racist agenda seize the state and begin implementing their explicitly racist agenda, while at the same time fomenting the public to vigilante acts of violence – has no precedent in post-Holocaust Europe.

Although there have been muted expressions of concern at the current events in Italy, no entity has dared accept measures with any teeth – such as for example invoking the human rights emergency provisions of the Treaty on European Union – for the sole reason that, in Europe “such confrontational measures are not done in polite company”. This was, indeed, the same logic which led to widespread European and international tolerance for Hitler. After all, it was argued at the time, perhaps he had some positive points. Many in Italy and Europe for that matter say the same when it comes to strident “disregard and contempt for human rights*” (* from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights –UDHR) in the case of Roma or ”barbarous acts*” such as recent events in Italy, Hungary and Romania. On 10th of December this year there will be 60 years since the adoption of the UDHR. Most of the Roma will rightly say that these 60 years were mainly wasted.

Valeriu Nicolae

Szerdán este agyonlőttek egy roma férfit Tiszalökön. Éppen munkába indult. Az eddigi hírek alapján lényegében izárható, hogy bármilyen személyes indok, üzleti vita, vagy leszámolás állna a háttérben. Ez már a sokadik ilyen merénylet, és eleddig a rendőrség egyetlen tettest sem volt képes elfogni. Vajon mit érezhet ma bárki, lány, vagy fiú, asszony, vagy férfi, fiatal, vagy öreg, aki történetesen romának született? Vajon miként fekszenek le aludni? Miként küldik holnap iskolába a gyerekeiket?

Jó tizenöt évvel ezelőtt az ausztriai Felsőőrön a cigánytelep bejáratánál csőbomba robbant és több gyereket megölt. Másnap reggel valamennyi osztrák iskolában egyperces felállással emlékeztek meg a tanulók és tanáraik az áldozatul esett roma gyerekekről. Mi sem fordíthatjuk el a fejünket e tragédiákat látva. Osztozunk a hozzátartozók gyászában, az áldozatokat saját halottjainknak tekintjük és követeljük a rendőrségtől, hogy minden eszközével azon legyen, hogy a tetteseket kézre kerítse.

Ezért békés megmozdulást szervezünk április 27-én 18 óra és 20 óra között Budapesten, az Országos Rendőr-főkapitányság Teve utcai székháza előtt, a Róbert Károly krt.-Váci út kereszteződésénél, a Magyar Allamkincstár előtti füves területen. Mécsessel, gyertyával rójuk le kegyeletünket az ártatlan áldozatok emlékére.

Méltóságot Mindenkinek Mozgalom
http://www.meltosag.net/

The European Roma Grassroots Organisation and Romani Criss have launched a protest against recent open and “coded” anti-Gypsyism at the highest level within the Romanian political and diplomatic elites. Both organizations consider that these declarations have an unfortunate but expected correspondent in Romanian society and in Romanian stadiums. The full text of an open letter looking at last week's incidents in Ireland and in Romanian stadiums can be found at http://www.ergonetwork.org/openletter.htm.

Anybody insterested in signing the letter can do so by sending an email to either cezara@romanicriss.org or info@ergonetwork.org.

For more information, please contact Valeriu Nicolae (004) 0742379657 or Cezara David 0723818413.

http://www.ertf.org/referendum 

ERTF Charter of Rights for the Roma

Why a Charter specifically for the Roma?

With regard to the situation of Roma in terms of human rights in Council of Europe member states, the Forum has agreed to develop a country-by-country approach, and following the analysis of the situation, make suggestions and proposals as to how the problems of racism and Anti-Gypsyism identified in each country might be overcome.

Existing recommendations and resolutions have two weaknesses: Firstly, inter-governmental bodies, such as the OSCE, the UN-Commission on Human Rights, or the Council of Europe, tend to work in a vacuum and their conclusions are sometimes diluted as a result of negotiations. Participation of representatives of the Roma community in the preparation of these texts would resolve part of this problem.

Secondly, these recommendations and resolutions are usually not binding; and often not applied by member states. If improvements are to be made to protect the human rights of the Roma, a binding European Charter on Roma Rights needs to be drafted and ratified by member states. This would enable the Roma and their representatives to use all legal means to ensure the implementation of measures.

The Plenary Assembly of the European Roma and Travellers Forum in November 2006 entrusted its Executive Committee with the preparation of a draft of this charter which would bring together all the existing recommendations on the situation of Roma into a single binding legal instrument. The Plenary Assembly adopted a document which would serve as a basis for drafting such a charter.

In 2007/08 the Forum’s Directorate on Human Rights and Directorate on Migration organised several discussion groups with Roma and non-Roma experts on Human Rights and International Law to examine a first draft of the text which was prepared in early 2007.

A legal expert has also provided a second draft which was discussed at the Plenary Assembly of the Forum in November 2008.

A Charter of Rights for the Roma have been created based on this analysis.

The final version of the document is now available for you and we need your vote. We kindly ask you to visit our web-page: www.ertf.org/referendum to have a look at the ERTF Charter of Rights for the Roma and vote either YES or NO.

Each person who feels that he belong to Roma, Sinti, Traveller and all related groups all over the world will have an unique opportunity to express themselves in the next 72 hours starting October the 9th 2009 at 00:00h by entering his/her e-mail address and by clicking the Yes or No button.

Your participation and your vote in this unique e-referendum is vital and will contribute to shaping of the Roma movement.

_________________________

DEN TUMARO VOTO AKANA VASH E ERTF-ski Karta anda e Romenge Chachimata

ERTF Karta anda e Romenge Chachimata Soske jekh Karta specijalno e Romenge?

Pala e situacija le Romengi pala e manushikane chachimata ande thema membre anda o Konsilo la Europako, o Forumo akceptujsardas te buhlearel jekh them-pala-tem dikhipe, thaj pala e analiza le situacijaki, te kerel sugestije thaj propozalura ke sar te phageren pes e problemura le rasismoske thaj Anti-Ciganismoske save arakhle pes ande svako them.

E rekomandacije thaj e rezolucije save si akana si len duj kovlimata:

Anglunes, e inter-governmentalno institucii, sar si o OSCE, o UN-Komisija anda e Manushikane Chachimata, vaj o Konsilo la Europako, si len e tendinca te keren buki anda jekh vacuum thaj lenge konkluzije si butivar dilujme sar jekh rezultato katar e negocijacije. E participacija katar e reprezentative le Romenge ande preparacija kadale tekstongi shaj te reshil jekh rig anda kado problemo.

Dujto, kadala rekomandacije thaj rezolucije maj butivar na-j musaj/obligatorichno; thaj butivar na-j aplikime katar e thema membre. Kana si te keren pes lacharimata anda e protekcija le manushikane chachimatengi anda Roma, jekh obligatorichno Europaki Karta anda e Romenge Chachimata trebul te ramol pes tha te avel ratifikime katar e thema membre. Kado shaj delas voja le Romenge thaj lenge reprezentativenge te len opre sa e legalnb mesuri kash te kerel pes siguro e implemetacija le mesurengi.

O Plenarichno Kidipe katar e Europako Forumo e Romengo thaj e Phirutnengo anda o Novembro 2007 das zor ko Eksekutivno Komiteto kash te lacharen jekh drafto pala kadi karta savo bi anelas khetane sa e rekomandacije save si aba pala e situacija le Romengi ande jekh obligatorichno legalno instrumento. O Plenarichno Kidipe adoptisardas jekh dokumento savo shaj te avel jekh baza kash te ramol pes jekh kasavi karta.

Ando 2007/08 e Forumosko Direktorato pala e Manushikane Chachimata thaj o Direktorato pa Migracija organizisarde maj but diskusijake grupura khetane e ekspertonca Roma thaj Gadze pala e Manushikane Chachimata thaj Internacionalno Zakono kash te eksaminin jekh angluno drafto savo kam avel diskutime ko Plenarichno Kidipe le Forumosko ando Novembro 2008.

Jekh Karta anda e Romenge Chachimata sas kerdi pe kadi analiza.

E finalno versia kadale dokumentoski si kherdi thaj si shutini pe tumaro voto. Akharas tumen te den ande ande amari web-patrin www.ertf.org/referendum te dikhen le ERTF-eski Karta anda e Romenge Chachimata thaj te den tumaro voto Yo vaj Na.

Svako manush so prindzarel pes sar Rom, Sinto, Phirutno thaj aver grupe pashe phanle kadalenca ande sasti luma si len jek uniko sansa pe phenen peskiri opinia ande avutne 71 casuri, o statro si katar 09. oktobro 2009. So trebul te keren si te thon tumari e-mail adresa thaj te pnenen Yo vaj Na.

Tumari participacia thaj tumaro voto ande kado uniko referendumo si vitalno thaj kadalesa ka keren kontribucia ando zuraripe e Romane muvmentosko.

Valaki vagy valakik megint meggyalázták a Roma Holokauszt emlékművet a budapesti Nehru parton. Ezért, immáron harmadik alkalommal, jórézésű budapesti polgárok ismét letakarítják.

Felhívunk minden jó érzésű embert, hogy február 13-án, szombaton, 15.00 órakor jöjjön a budapesti Nehru partra a Roma holokauszt emlékműhöz vödörrel, szivaccsal és vízzel, hogy közösen mossuk le a gyalázatot!

Tapasztalataink szerint egyre többen és többen érezték szükségét, hogy maguk is tevékenyen hozzájáruljanak az emlékezés méltóságának helyreállításához. Míg az első alaklommal pár ember, addig másodszorra már több tucatnyian mosták és fényesítették a gránit tömböt, így a mostani alkalommal joggal számíthatunk közel száz fő részvételére. Ezért akciónkat, a törvényi előírásoknak megfelelően, a rendőrségen bejelentettük.

Kezdeményező Clemens Prinz, a Tilos Rádió német nyelvű műsorának munkatársa, műfordító, valamint a Tilos Rádió sok más munkatársa.

Az esemény szervezésében kizárólag pártoktól független magánszemélyek vesznek részt. Felkérünk mindenkit, hogy megjelenése esetén tartózkodjon a pártokhoz köthető szimbólumok használatától. Köszönjük.

Előzmény

2009. november 29-én néhány jóérzésű ember letisztította a Roma Holokauszt emlékművet a Nehru parton, melyet valakik fekáliával szennyeztek be. http://www.noltv.hu/video/2065.html

2009. decemberben 17-én, miután másodszor is meggyalázták az emlékművét, 30-40 jóérzésű ember ismét letakarította. http://www.168ora.hu/itthon/allatszarral-mocskoltak-be-a-roma-holokauszt-emlekmuvet-48359.html  

Kérjük, hívd meg ismerőseidet, vagy oszd meg az esményt az üzenőfaladon!

Köszönjük!

Dear Everyone on the Planet!! (almost) -

It all starts on this Friday June 15th !!!!!

I am thrilled to announce the long-awaited (by me anyway) theatrical opening of our feature film about Gypsy musicians from around the world.

Yes, they're calling it the "Buena Vista of Gypsy music" -- but in this commercial world of cinema, we need people in seats before we can be the Buena Vista of anything much.... So please do book your tickets & forward this invitation to everyone who may be interested. (As usual for all indie films, early box office figures are important for keeping the film around).

Don't hesitate to ask if you need more information or if you'd like flyers (real or electronic) to pass along to interested people and places.

Thanks from me and the many people (really lots of us) who've worked on this film in the past 6 years!

Jasmine


The Movie:

5 bands from 4 countries on a 6-weeks tour across America. Dazzling performances. Full theaters. Backstage chaos. Giggles, tears and friendships. Poverty and a wedding in Romania, a transvestite in Rajasthan, racism in California, political triumph in Macedonia... it's all there.

Johnny Depp admires them, crowds flock to sell out their shows, and one of the musicians just makes it home in time to die among family. This rich feature documentary is a dramatic journey of highs and lows, with raw powerful music, reflecting the harsh but triumphant history of Romani people through the centuries.

GYPSY CARAVAN is a wild celebration of the musical world of the Roma, juxtaposed to the real world they live in. Luscious music interweaves with the stirring real life tales of the artists' homes and families. Shot by documentary icon Albert Maysles, the film takes place on WMI's tour across North America and in the artists' homes around the world.

Features performances by some of the top Gypsy musicians alive today: Macedonian diva and "Queen of the Gypsies" ESMA REDZEPOVA, traditional Indian folk troupe MAHARAJA, Romanian brass band FANFARE CIOCARLIA, the famous Romanian violin wizards TARAF DE HAIDOUKS, and the Spanish ANTONIO EL PIPA FLAMENCO Company from Andalucia.

The Dedication:

GYPSY CARAVAN has screened this month at festivals in Seattle, London, Krakow and Transilvania. It launched at Tribeca and has been an award winner and festival favorite from San Francisco to Nashville and Vancouver, and from Korea to Karlovy Vary.

Beyond the music and fun, we have seen a lot of strong reactions at film festivals this past year, and it's clear that this film has enormous potential to create change and launch critical dialogues around the world about Roma. Even today the "Gypsy" stereotypes often overshadow the reality of Romani people who are targets of systemic poverty, oppression, racism and abuse of human rights. This film can nurture voices that are left unheard and support those who are already trying to help individuals and families routinely living with pain and suffering.

You can make a global difference with a very small and simple first step: just come and enjoy watching a film about great musicians. And slowly we will end up changing the negative images in our minds and in the world.

This film is dedicated to

Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005 - 2015

An initiative of 8 governments, the UN, George Soros & the World Bank joining Roma communities to fight poverty and discrimination, prioritizing education, employment, health & housing.

www.RomaDecade.org

--

Trailer & info at www.GypsyCaravanMovie.com

Soundtrack from World Village/Harmonia Mundi in all major outlets on June 12th.

For more information contact Little Dust Productions at 212 228-7777 or info@littledust.com,
or Karen O'Hara at karenoh@aol.com or 520-326-0813.

US SCREENING SCHEDULE
(please check local listings - these may change & we are adding more cities!):

- June 15, New York, NY, Angelika Film Center
- June 15, New York, NY, Lincoln Plaza Cinemas
- June 29, Los Angeles, CA, Nuart Theatre
- June 29, Washington, DC, E Street Cinema
- July 6, Pasadena, CA, Laemmle One Colorado Theater
- July 6, Irvine, CA, Regal Westlake Cinemas
- July 6, Rhinebeck, NY, Upstate Films
- July 6, Cambridge (Boston), MA, Kendall Square Cinema
- July 6, San Francisco, CA, Embarcadero Center Lumiere or Opera Plaza Theater
- July 6, Berkeley, CA, Shattuck Cinema
- July 6, Santa Cruz, CA, Nickelodeon Theaters
- July 6, Monterey, CA, Osio Cinemas
- July 6, San Luis Obispo, CA, Palm Theatre
- July 13, Santa Rosa, CA, Rialto Lakeside Theater
- July 20, Seattle, WA, Varsity Theater
- July 20, Santa Fe, NM, The Screen
- July 20, Rochester, NY, Little Theater
- July 20, San Diego, CA, Ken Theater
- Aug 2, Ithaca, NY, Cornell Cinema
- Aug 10, Austin, TX, Regal Arbor Theater
- Aug 10, Yellow Springs, OH, Little Art Theatre
- Aug 10, Athens, GA, Athens Cine
- Aug 15, Portland, ME, The Movies on Exchange Street
- Aug 24, Chicago, IL, Music Box Theatre
- Sep 14, Atlanta, GA, Midtown Art Cinema
- Sep 14, St. Louis, MO, Tivoli Theatre

4 August 2011 – In a letter to the Macedonian government, refugee and Roma rights organisations have expressed concerns that the recent measures which have been taken in order to prevent Macedonian citizens from seeking asylum in the EU would violate basic human rights principles. In a move to diffuse pressures from the side of the European Union, the Macedonian authorities have recently kept several hundred Macedonian citizens from leaving their country.

Over the last few months, refugee organisations and professionals working with asylum seekers noticed that asylum seekers from Serbia and Macedonia would suddenly drop their application and return to their home country citing fears of punishment. More recently, evidence appeared that the Macedonian authorities kept Roma from leaving Macedonia under the pretence that they would apply for asylum abroad. According to a statement made by the Macedonian Minister of Interior, Gordana Jankulovska, at the so-called Salzburg Forum, which brings together the Ministers of Interior of eight Central and Eastern European States, 764 Macedonian citizens were prevented from leaving Macedonia between April 29th and June 27th. Prior to this meeting, she declared that the persons, who would be rejected at the Macedonian border, would have their passports stamped as a “clear sign to our colleagues at the other border crossings that these persons need to be subjected to additional controls.” She added that the purpose of this measure was to prevent these people from abusing the visa-free system and damage Macedonia’s reputation abroad.

Roma who were deported to Macedonia claimed that they lost their social benefits upon their return. Macedonian Roma NGOs, which have been enrolled as part of the government’s campaign to curb the number of asylum seekers, reported warning their clients that they would risk losing their social benefits and health coverage and might even be issued a travel ban. According to Macedonian media reports, the same NGOs were given the task of informing the Roma constituency that they might face imprisonment upon their return. Indeed, the Macedonian government has made several attempts to criminalise emigration. In July, the former Minister of Justice, Antonio Milošoski, presented a draft proposal for a reform of the criminal code aimed at introducing the abuse of the visa-free regime within the EU as a criminal offense. Accordingly, travel companies and tour operators, who would transport persons, trying to stay in the EU, would face imprisonment of up to five years, even if they were unaware of these persons’ intentions. The same minister also announced another law reform, which would enable the Macedonian authorities to deprive failed asylum seekers and returned migrants of their passports.

According to the NGOs, these measures are not only in contradiction with the Macedonian constitution, but also violate basic principles of international human rights. They remind the Macedonian government that freedom of movement, which includes the right of every person to leave every country including his or her own, is protected by several international conventions and treaties, which Macedonia has subscribed to. They highlight the absence of a legal basis and criteria upon which people are prevented from travelling. They also point out that the freedom of movement is concomitant with the right to have a passport, which can only be restricted under very specific conditions. They also warn that although only a few Macedonian citizens have been granted asylum recently, it does not imply that these citizens do not have the right to seek asylum. In this context, the NGOs point out that international organisations including the EU Commission have remained concerned about the widespread discrimination of Roma in Macedonia and their social marginalization.

They also express concerns about the discriminatory character of the governmental measures as Roma are the most targeted. The NGOs call on the Macedonian government to refrain from any measures which are not in accordance with international human rights law. Instead, they invite the government to combat poverty and discrimination as the root causes for Roma to apply for asylum. Finally, the NGOs ask the Macedonian government to integrate the Kosovo Roma refugees who have been kept in limbo since their violent expulsion from Kosovo, more than twelve years ago.

Chachipe a.s.b.l.

The letter is available here: http://romarights.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/letter_macedonian_authorities_030811.pdf

Dear Madam/Sir,

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights - giving the same rights and freedoms to 800,000 million Europeans - the Council of Europe (www.coe.int) set up a panel consisting of high-level personalities to answer questions related to human rights issues.

The Directorate of Communication is pleased to invite human rights activists and large public to submit questions to DC_paneldiscussion@coe.int by 13 October 2010.

To promote this important treaty and the discussion panel, we would be most grateful if this information could place on your website.

Thank you very much for your interest and co-operation.

Kind regards

Barbara Orkwiszewska

Public Information & Publishing Directorate of Communication Council of Europe

Tel.: 00 33 (0)3 88 41 38 36

www.coe.int

Call on the Hungarian authorities to protect Roma communities from harassment and violent attacks and to thoroughly investigate racially motivated incidents and ensure perpetrators are prosecuted.

http://action.amnesty.org.uk/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=1194&ea.campaign.id=9976

On 6 March the far right Jobbik party held a march of up to 3000 people in Gyöngyöspata village. The party was reportedly invited to the village ‘for the protection of Hungarians’ after an alleged incident between a resident and members of the local Roma community.

After the march, around 200 vigilantes from the New Hungarian Guard, Civil Guard Association for a Better Future and Vagabonds for the Protection of Hungarians were reported to have remained in the village and were harassing and verbally abusing local Roma residents. The vigilantes have reportedly been marching in military outfits, carrying whips and axes and issuing verbal death threats to resident Roma families. Due to fear of racist attacks by the vigilantes, many Roma families subsequently stopped sending their children to school. The vigilantes have announced that their next target will be Roma communities in the town of Hajdúhadháza.

According to local NGO representatives and Amnesty International staff police have reportedly taken little action to prevent the harassment. Although police check-points were eventually established according to reports state that Roma residents were told to ‘behave’ and nothing would happen to them.

The Hungarian authorities have an obligation under international human rights law to ensure the security and physical integrity of their citizens, without discrimination, and to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate, punish and provide redress for racially-motivated attacks including harassment by non-state actors. According to the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the authorities are obliged to adopt immediate and positive measures designed to eradicate all incitements to, or acts of, discriminatory violence.

Milan, March 25th, 2010

From the fire in Livorno to the murders of Abdul Salam Guibre, the Romanian Ionut Cristian Birzudel, and the Moroccan Yussuf Errahali, there have been many murders committed for racist reasons - murders that are often (when there are no witnesses or surveillance cameras present) reported in the newspapers as “a settling of accounts between immigrants”. If we then consider the number of attacks, attempted murders, rapes and beatings, the numbers grow out of all proportion, placing Italy at the top of the list in the European Union for xenophobic and racist violence. EveryOne Group is carrying out some research into this incredible aspect of Italian society and collaborating on the same delicate topic with important international organisms. It is a difficult investigation which far too often has seen our activists/scholars hit by intimidation and serious forms of institutional repression (this in spite of the fact that we are carrying out our research on behalf, or in collaboration with, the most important international agencies and institutions). In Italy the politicians, authorities and media generally try to prevent the crimes committed against immigrants and Roma being reported as xenophobic crimes - which is what they are. This is because they wish to give the Italian people the impression that the security policies against foreigners are not identifiable with negative phenomena such as racism and xenophobia. As a result the present emergency is not considered the spread of racial hatred, but instead the inborn “anti-sociality” and criminal tendencies of non-Italians. It is no coincidence that the anti-immigrant, anti-Roma policies are put forward as policies for legality, security and against social and urban decay. It is a media strategy which also prevents the news getting out of Italy about the climate of racism that is now present on all levels of society. And this is one of the tasks our group has taken upon itself: to stop a curtain of silence and disinformation falling on the tragedy of racial violence and abuse. As well as the better known cases, it is important to point out that a great number of murders of immigrants are taking place without the culprits ever being brought to justice. We only have to search Google for “immigrant murdered”, “corpse of an immigrant found”, “immigrant’s body found without ID” etc. to realise how widespread this phenomena is and the extent of the political and media censorship of those who want it kept quiet.

If in 2008 25% of the victims of violence in Italy were foreigners (http://ilsecoloxix.ilsole24ore.com/p/italia/2009/12/03/AMFascAD-omicidi_maggior_famiglia.shtml), today the percentage is even higher and very often the media does not even mention the presumed nationality of the murder victims. These are very high numbers which are unequalled in the European Union, because in Italy foreigners make up only 6.7% of the population. In the photo, young Abdul Salam Guibre, known as Abba, victim of racial hatred

EveryOne Group +39 393 4010237 :: +39 334 3449180 :: :: +39 331 3585406

www.everyonegroup.com :: info@everyonegroup.com

Location: Warsaw, Poland

Closing date for applications: October 5, 2007

Background:

The Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues (CPRSI) (www.osce.org/odihr) is tasked with providing advice and assistance to participating States in regards to the implementation of their commitments regarding Roma, namely of the provisions contained by the OSCE Action Plan on Roma and Sinti (Maastricht Ministerial Decision No. 3/03) (http://www.osce.org/item/7956.html). Since June 2006, the CPRSI has been engaged with preparing a status report on the implementation of the Action Plan; a process which is done regularly and provides the basis for briefing participating States on the achievements regarding improving the situation of Roma and Sinti across OSCE region. This task requires additional resources in collecting and processing relevant information.

The CPRSI aims to host an intern that will assist in the collecting and processing relevant information regarding the progress of participating States in implementing their commitments towards Roma.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Senior Adviser on Roma and Sinti, the intern will be tasked to:

a.. Assist in collecting and processing material related to the various provisions of the Action Plan on Roma and Sinti;
b.. Collect and process information relating to the implementation of the Action Plan by participating States (material which can be used for the next Status Report);
c.. Collect and process information and materials from other international organizations (EC; CoE; UN; UNDP; UNICEF; FRA; OSI; other) regarding Roma-related policies, strategies, programmes, as implemented by states, or directly by them. Store and cluster the information according to its source;
d.. Assist the CPRSI with the logistic aspects of preparation of the HDIM and Human Dimension Meetings, including side events organized or convened by CPRSI;
e.. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Note: The intern will be given information regarding channels and sources (mainly electronic) for checking and /or requesting for information regarding situation of Roma.

Deliverables:

a.. Progress reports each month;
b.. Final report by 15 June 2007.

Internship Dates: 5 January - 31 June 2008

Necessary Qualifications

. Roma-related knowledge and interest in learning;
. Good writing skills in English and in researching;
. Good organization, communications and reporting skills;
. Ability to liaise with Roma NGOs, as instructed, as well as with other departments within the ODIHR, when required;
. Knowledge of Romani language is an asset;
. Post-graduate student or recent graduate;
. Working experience with Roma communities is an asset.

Remuneration Package

For the duration of the internship the person will be covered with life, accident and disability insurance at the cost of the OSCE/ODIHR. The intern will also be able to participate in a group health insurance scheme at his/her own expense. The OSCE/ODIHR has received funding from the Roma Participation Programme (RPP). The RPP will pay an intern from a post-communist country (Eastern Europe, former Yugoslavia and Central Asia) a stipend and travel expenses to Warsaw.

How To Apply

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the application form for internships found under http://www.osce.org/employment/13111.html and send it via e-mail to recruit@odihr.pl. Please read carefully the requirements mentioned on this page before applying.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see www.osce.org/about/13131.html

The OSCE is committed to achieving a better balance of woman and men within the Organization. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

The Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) is looking for a Coordinator to manage its Global Forced Evictions Programme (GFEP).

COHRE is an international human rights organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland, working to protect and promote the human right to adequate housing. COHRE has regional programmes in Africa, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region, along with thematic programmes on housing and property restitution; women and housing rights; the right to water; litigation of economic, social and cultural rights; and forced evictions. Established in 1994, COHRE operates from offices around the world. (For more information see www.cohre.org)

The aim of the GFEP is to monitor, prevent and remedy forced evictions throughout the world. The GFEP gathers information about planned, implemented and averted evictions around the world, and uses its extended network to publicise and advocate against the practice. The programme undertakes rapid response actions, such as writing protest letters and releasing media statements. In a selection of COHRE key focus countries, the GFEP works intensively with affected communities, support organisations and other partners to undertake fact-finding missions; joint advocacy at local, national and international levels; media campaigns; and legal action. The GFEP also provides research and other support to the work of all COHRE programmes.

The GFEP Coordinator will be based in one of COHRE's offices; the exact location will be determined as part of the selection process.

The Coordinator will be responsible for:

• Developing and implementing the programme’s annual Plan of Action
• Supervising COHRE staff in the programme and recruiting staff when necessary
• Fundraising and writing GFEP activity reports
• Developing and managing the GFEP's annual budget
• Coordinating evictions monitoring, research and database management
• Producing the biennial Global Survey on Forced Evictions, as well as other reports and publications
• Coordinating and participating in fact-finding missions, rapid response actions, and other advocacy actions at local, national and international levels
• Organising training programmes
• Networking with organisations and communities resisting forced evictions and engaging in joint strategies and initiatives.

Required Skills/Background:

• Experience with housing rights, displacement or forced eviction issues
• Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills
• Experience in coordination, project management, financial management, facilitation and training
• Ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure
• Ability to make public presentations to a variety of audiences
• A proven manager of people, who enjoys helping colleagues perform to the best of their potential
• Willingness to travel often (sometimes on short notice and for extended periods of time)
• Written and oral fluency in English (other languages would also be considered an asset)
• A postgraduate degree, preferably in human rights law, development, or other related fields.

Applicants should send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae including a publications list, contact details
for three referees, and a recent, original, unedited writing sample to gfepcoord@cohre.org.

The application should be in English. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, 28 September 2007.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

COHRE encourages applications from candidates who are female and/or nationals of developing countries.
The position involves a competitive remuneration package.

COHRE Global Forced Evictions Programme
www.cohre.org

Kedves Barátunk!

A Méltóságot Mindenkinek Mozgalom csatlakozik a Jöjj és Lásd! roma gyalogos menethez, amely Jászladányból indul Budapestre

A Jászsági Roma Polgárjogi Szervezet elnöke, Kállai László és a hozzá csatlakozó szimpatizánsok gyalog indulnak október 3-án Jászladányból, hogy szót emeljenek a Magyarországon élő romákat érintő hátrányos megkülönböztetés ellen, amely tapasztalható a közoktatásban, az igazságszolgáltatásban, az egészségügyben, a médiában, és számos egyéb területen. A menet október 11-én, vasárnap délelőtt 11h-ra ér a Hősök terére, ahol az eddigi egyik legnagyobb roma tüntetésre kerül sor.

A Hősök terén az ország minden részéről buszokkal érkező szimpatizánsok csatlakoznak Kállai Lászlóhoz és csapatához. Ezt követően a több ezres tömeg együtt vonul fel a Sándor-palotához, hogy átadják Sólyom László Köztársasági Elnök úrnak peticiójukat (kb. 15:30h).

A rendezvény pártpolitikától mentes, a Hősök terén felállított színpadon kizárólag civilek szólalnak fel! 

Fellépnek: Váradi Roma Café | Szilvási Gipsy Band | Romano Drom | Enikő és Ricardo | és mások

Gyere te is! Az MMM kezdeményezői | www.meltosag.net

Kedves Barátok, Érdeklõdõk!

Ha nem a szokványos jótékonysági adományozásban szeretne részt venni, és ha többet akar tudni a Hétesi modell programról kapcsolódjon be a gyûjtésbe, valamint nézze meg a

www.hetes09.blog.hu

www.cseppgyerek.blog.hu

www.irodalmicentrifuga.hu (folyóiratban a hétes, bódis kriszta cimkefelhõ alatt)

Arra gyûjtünk, hogy karácsony elõtt egy nagy szállítmányt vihessünk Hétesbe, és hogy minden család a lehetõ legoptimálisabban kapjon. A hétesi modell program részét képezõ, már hagyományos telepi karácsonyi ünnepséghez és közös fõzséhez pénzadományoknak is örülünk:

Interkulturális és Irodalmi Centrifuga Alapítvány

10700440-44513106-52000001

ezért:

1. Úgy kérnénk a csomagokat, hogy külön legyenek felcimkézve a gyerek ruhák (korosztályok szerint) illetve a felnõtt ruhák és a cipõk, valamint külön az ágynemük, függönyök, abroszok ilyesmik.

2. Gyûjtünk még tárcsás mosógépet (automaták nem jók, mert nincs vezetékes víz), centrifugát, babakocsit, kiságyat, használható állapotban levõ kerékpárokat, játékokat

3. Higiéniai eszközöket: folyékony szappan, sampon, fogkrém, fogkefe (lehetõleg 'utazós',azaz amit tokba lehet tenni), vitaminok, hipo, pelenka és intim betét

4. karácsonyfa díszeket, szaloncukrot, édességet, vitaminokat Szállítani sajnos nem tudunk.

Önkéntesünkkel kell felvenni a kapcsolatot,és vele idõpontot egyeztetni, nála gyûjtünk:

Hámori Éva

30/4477036

szeretettel:

Bódis Kriszta

író, rendezõ, pszichológus

We are pleased to offer what is probably the largest working reference library of books about Gypsies remaining in private hands – almost 400 items running to about 500 volumes, for sale as a collection. The collection reflects the previous owner’s interest in Asia and is particularly rich in linguistic research, tracing the origins of the Romany language in India through their movements in Eastern Europe, up to the present day in Britain and the United States. Many books concern folklore and history, including a number of foreign language publications, and many of the items are of the utmost rarity, including several that I have never handled before. Many items are association copies, some including letters or interesting inscriptions, and many were formerly owned by important scholars or luminaries in the Gypsy Lore Society, which is itself represented by a complete run of its august journal – often found in parts on the market but rarely complete. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like more information. http://www.gyork.co.uk/

Milan, April 15th, 2010

In spite of the recent resolution issued by the European Parliament reasserting the illegality of the camp clearances without alternative lodgings; despite the warning from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that Roma settlements must be protected and the forced evictions stopped, the Milanese local authorities, undaunted, are still persecuting the Roma and Sinti communities present on its territory. On April 9th, a deployment of 30 local police officers cleared the three settlements in Via Siccoli, Via Guglielmo Pepe and Ponte delle Milizie. More than 100 Roma citizens living in conditions of extreme hardship (among them sick and handicapped people, pregnant women and children) were charged with illegally occupying private land and forced to leave their makeshift shelters despite having nowhere else to go, or being offered any social assistance. The huts the families were living in were bulldozed, while the areas will soon be “secured” to prevent the Roma or homeless returning to the site. While Riccardo De Corato, the deputy-mayor, gives interviews to newspapers and TV channels boasting about the operation that has led to the umpteenth humanitarian crisis, Milan has also adopted repressive measures against the Roma who live in “authorized camps”. Before next summer, in fact, twenty surveillance cameras will be installed over the entrances to the settlements in Via Triboniano, Via Idro, Via Chiesa Rossa and Via Martirano. The cameras will be linked up to police and Carabinieri stations to control the families living in the camp around the clock; families who have already suffered the humiliation of having to adhere to “a sociality pact”, which are special laws very similar to the rules in force in the ghettoes during the Nazi period. The project, initiated by the local authorities, has been approved by the City Police Chief, Gian Valerio Lombardi. The cost of installing these cameras amounts to 479,000 Euros - an astronomical sum, 24,000 Euros per camera ! “With this amount, added to the other 12 million Euros that Milan spends every year on clearing Roma settlements,” say EveryOne Group's co-presidents, Roberto Malini, Matteo Pegoraro and Dario Picciau, “our organization could have funded thirty factories in the “Romasia Project”, and this would have provided a home and work for all the Roma families present in Milan today. Instead, these policies, which are prompted by racial hatred, have led to a huge waste in public money; offered a terrible image to the world of a city that claims to be a European metropolis - and caused a disastrous situation of hardship and marginalization for more than one thousand human beings”.

For further information:

EveryOne Group

+39 340 8135204 :: +39 331 3585406

info@everyonegroup.com :: www.everyonegroup.com

English-language fellowship programme for persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities

Duration: 3 months, from April 2009

Venue: United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva, Switzerland

Deadline: 17 November 2008

Details and Application Procedures: http://lgi.osi.hu/documents.php?id=2294

2010. május 14-én 13 órakor megalakul az új Magyar Országgyűlés. Egy országgyűlés, mely nemhogy nem „forradalmi”, hanem sokkal inkább retrográd. A Jobbikkal olyan erő került a parlamentbe, mely az európai történelem leggyötrelmesebb, legfájdalmasabb korszakát idézi. Olyan eszmék jelentek meg és kaptak támogatást a legutóbbi demokratikus választáson, melyekkel nem lehet és nem érdemes vitatkozni. Eszmék, melyek haladás helyett visszalépést, épülés helyett rombolást hoznak. Eszmék, melyek valójában sohasem voltak korszerűek.

Mi, demokraták, ebben a helyzetben egyet tehetünk: megmutatjuk, hogy ezen eszmék már rég kimentek a divatból. Megmutatjuk, hogy ezen eszmék és hirdetőik a Haza és Haladás ellen valók. Megmutatjuk, hogy ezen eszméket minden demokrata érzelmű hazafi elutasítja, képviselőit pedig nem hajlandó komolyan venni és igyekszik kívül tartani a politikai divatszalonon. A Méltóságot Mindenkinek Mozgalom a Jobbikot és annak a magyar parlamentbe kerülését a „helyén” kezeli. Nem tiltakozunk, nem demonstrálunk, nem szervezünk politikai tűntetést, mert nem a Jobbikkal van vitánk. Velük nem vitatkozunk, mert még tiltakozással sem kívánjuk politikai jelenlétüket tudomásul venni, elismerni. Nem tesszük, mert a mesékből megtanultuk, hogy az ellenség a mi dühünkből meríti erejét.

Mi nem dühöngünk, nem háborgunk. Nem harcolunk, hanem görbe tükröt állítunk eléjük.

Éppen ezért 2010. május 14-én 13 órára villámakciót szervezünk a Kossuth térre. Ha te is úgy gondolod, ahogy mi, akkor valamilyen számodra kedves (kockás vagy csíkos, kötött vagy horgolt, sárga vagy rózsaszín, bőr vagy papír, cipzáras vagy gombos, szőrme vagy hasított bőr, feliratos vagy jeltelen) mellénytölts magadra és sétálj egyet velünk csendesen, transzparensek nélkül. Üzenjük együtt minden Jobbikos képviselőnek: Mi ismerjük a helyes mértéket, és látjuk, hogy TÚL NAGY A MELLÉNYük. Mi, velük szemben tudjuk, hogy a fekete gárdista egyenruha és a Jobbik már rég KIMENT A DIVATBÓL.

Várunk:

12:40 - Kossuth tér - Szalay utca sarka

12:45 - A 2-es villamos Szalay utcai megállója (a Vágóhíd utca felé közlekedő)

12:50 - A Parlament előtti, Alkotmány utcával szemközti terület

12:55 - Báthory utca - Kossuth tér sarka

13:00 - Vértanúk tere Mellénnyel a mellényúlás ellen!

www.nemazennevemben.eu

www.meltosag.net/  

Dear Colleagues!
We are a human rights group based in India, exclusively working for the Nomadic people(Gypsy) of India. we are expanding to all the Asian countries where Nomadic /Gypsy people are more visible.
As you are aware about the living conditions of the Nomadic gypsies are not better than their European counterparts, we request to include Asian Gypsy/Nomadic people in the celebrations of the decade Roma inclusion 2005-2015, kindly lobby for us so that Asia is also included. we salute you for your achievements in making the European and world fraternity accepting for this Decade.
msrao
National coordinator
NCNTHR

About http://kosovoroma.wordpress.com

The aim of this new website is to inform about the situation of Roma in Kosovo and Kosovo Roma in Diaspora. Before the war, Kosovo was the home to 120,000 to 150,000 Roma. A first Romani presence in Kosovo has been traced back to the 14th century (1394) in the town of Prizren.

Roma in Kosovo enjoyed a comparatively high living standard. They had their own institutions, news papers and theatres. The Roma Mahala in Kosovska Mitrovica was one of the oldest and largest Romani settlements in the region with its own infrastructure.

Kosovo Roma became the biggest "collateral damage" of the nationalist conflict between Kosovo Serbs and Albanians. More than 100,000 Roma were chased from Kosovo in the aftermath of war. Romani settlements such as the Fabricka Mahala in Kosovska Mitrovica and the Roma Mahala in Pristina were burned down and looted in acts of reprisal and retaliation.

Today, the Roma community in Kosovo counts merely a few thousand people. Most of them live in a destitute condition at the margins of the Kosovo society. They have no voice in Kosovo society. Political participation including in the negotiations surrounding the Kosovo status does not exist.

The majority of Kosovo Roma live in diaspora, most of them in Serbia and Montenegro, many in refugee or IDP camps. There are also smaller Kosovo Roma communities in Macedonia and in Bosnia. Eight years after the end of the war, their status as well as the status of many of the ten thousands Roma who escaped to Western Europe is still not resolved.

By creating this website, we want to inform about a community which has fallen into oblivion. We also aim to provide a platform for exchange between Roma from Kosovo hoping that we can still bring about a policy-change necessary to put an end to years of suffering and to restore human dignity.

Devlesa!

The Kosovo Roma Website Team

E-mail: kosovoroma@gmail.com

Now Accepting Applications! Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship, Deadline: May 27 - http://bit.ly/gtyZHj 

The International Women’s Media Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2011-12 Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship, named for the 1998 IWMF Courage in Journalism Award winner and The Boston Globe correspondent who was killed in Iraq in May 2003.

The fellowship will run from September 2011 to March 2012. The application deadline is May 27, 2011. This program, created with Neuffer’s family and friends, aims to perpetuate her memory and advance her life mission of promoting international understanding of human rights and social justice while creating an opportunity for women journalists to build their skills.

One woman journalist will be selected to spend an academic year in a tailored program with access to Boston-area universities as well as The Boston Globe and The New York Times. The flexible structure of the program will provide the fellow with opportunities to pursue academic research and hone her reporting skills covering topics related to human rights. The Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship is open to women journalists whose focus is human rights and social justice.

Applicants must be dedicated to a career in journalism in print, broadcast or online media and show a strong commitment to sharing knowledge and skills with colleagues upon the completion of the fellowship. Excellent written and spoken English skills are required. A stipend will be provided, and expenses, including airfare and housing, will be covered. Click here to learn more. http://bit.ly/gtyZHj

I would like to present the first annual NY Gypsy Film Festival, dedicated to embracing the Roma culture and heritage of gypsies from around the world.

The festival takes place the first week of October from October 1-7 and all screenings, Q&A's, and musical events will be held at the Bulgarian Bar Mehanata located @ 113 Ludlow St. in the Lower East Side.

The festival will be comprised of twelve films from Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Greece, and the US.

Through literally centuries of slavery, genocide, massacre, and relentless ostracization, the Romani (Gypsy) people who presently number around 15 million worldwide, continue to suffer unprecedented levels of violence, civilian attacks through fervent segregation, police brutality, and an appalling lack of legitimate representation in art and media. Abrasively, intimately, and artfully handled in 12 hand-picked films from Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Greece, and the US, the first annual New York Gypsy Film Festival brings some of these artists and their subjects to the forefront of the so called First World, with love, and without mercy.

The NY Gypsy Film Festival will host the world premiere of Sándor Cs. Nagy's Mundi Romani, a Hungarian documentary that depicts twelve artists presented at the 2007 Venice Biennale as part of the Roma Pavilion.

Human Heart Explodes is a film directed by Helder Mira, produced by Matt Orefice and Paul A. McDonald. The documentary visualizes Safet Tairov's struggles to help his disadvantaged and ostracized Roma (Gypsy) community in a small village in Eastern Europe. A discussion with the filmmaker will take place after the screening of this film.

A special event presentation screening will be held of the documentary The Pied Piper of Hutzovina , a journey of filmmaker Pavla Fleischer's travels with musician Eugene Hutz from Budapest to Ukraine. There will be a Q&A following the screening with Pavla Fleischer.

Luchia Dragosh's The Child Within, is another special event screening of a dramatic feature that investigates the lives of three young pregnant women from Bulgaria, Belarus, and China, who flee to America despairing their circumstance to search for lives of freedom. Instead they find themselves victims of human trafficking. Q&A with the filmmaker to follow the film's screening.

A special closing screening will be held on October 7, 2007, presenting The Gypsy Caravan with a Q&A to follow the film by Director/Producer/Writer Jasmine Dellal. The Gypsy Caravan is an ethnographic exploration of Roma musicians such as renowned Romanians Taraf de Haidouks and Fanfare Ciocarlia.


Screening Schedule:

Mon October 1 - Pretty Dyana 45 min 7:00 PM

Mon October 1 - Garlic And Watermelons 66 min Q&A 8:00 PM**

Tue October 2 - Everyday Life of Roma Children from Block 71 22 min 7:00 PM

Tue October 2 - Porraimos 56 min Q&A 7:30 PM**

Wed October 3 - The Soul Has no Ethnic Origin 13 min Q&A 7:00 PM**

Wed October 3 - The Child Within 93 min Q&A 7:30 PM**

Thur October 4 - The Pied Piper of Hutzovina 63 min Q&A 7:00 PM**

Fri October 5 - Virtuosi from Nowhere 78 min 7:00 PM

Sat October 6 - Mundi Romani-The Venice Biennale 25 min 7:00 PM

Sat October 6 - Human Heart Explodes 85 min Q&A 8:00 PM**

Sun October 7 - American Gypsy 80 min Q&A 7:00 PM**

Sun October 7 - Gypsy Caravan 109 min Q&A 8:30 PM**

**Q&A w/filmmaker

Musical performances and visual art depicting Roma themes will be presented at screenings TBA.

We look forward to having you join us in the celebration of The Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005-2015.

For more information regarding NY Gypsy Film Festival, please contact Aljerrari (917) 945-2234 / nygypsyfilmfestival@gmail.com


Thank You,
Nicoletta Bumbac

http://www.meltosag.net/uccu-informalis-roma-oktatasi-projekt/

Sosem volt még Magyarországon akkora igény a társadalmi gondolkodás megváltozására, annak fejlődésére, mint napjainkban.

Többek között ez az igény hívta elő az „Uccu” projektet.

A civil kezdeményezés célja, hogy lehetőséget teremtsen a találkozásra és a dialógusra roma és nem roma fiatalok között. Reméljük, hogy ez a lehetőség tágítja a fiatalok gondolkodását, és egyúttal csökkenti a diszkriminatív, előítéletes gondolkodást. A program lényege, hogy középiskoláknak kínálunk az informális oktatási módszereire épülő, 90 perces, a roma társadalommal kapcsolatos oktatási programokat.

Ezekkel a játékos és interaktív foglalkozásokkal arra törekszünk, hogy a fiatalok és diákok minél több információra, és személyes tapasztalatra tegyenek szert a romákkal kapcsolatban és minél nyitottabbá váljanak egymás iránt.

Az „Uccu” projekt egyik legfontosabb eleme a személyesség és az interakció, ezért alapvető fontosságú, hogy ezeket a foglalkozásokat roma fiatalok tartsák, önkéntes alapon. Az élesben történő oktatási programok megelőzően a projekthez csatlakozó roma fiatalok részt vesznek majd egy felkészítő tréningen, ahol elsajátíthatják az informális oktatás módszereit, valamint egyéb szükséges technikákat és tartalmakat tanulhatnak meg.

A civil kezdeményeséshez hosszútávú partnerként csatlakoztak a Haver alapítvány, az OSI, a Kurt Lewin alapítvány, valamint magánszemélyek.

Hogyha kedvet érzel ahhoz, hogy önkéntesként csatlakozz az „Uccu” csapatához, és egy oktatótárssal interaktív foglalkozást tarts diákcsoportoknak arról, hogy mit jelent romának lenni, akkor keress fel minket, hogy megbeszélhessük a továbbiakat.

A jelentkezésed nem kötelez semmire, sem Téged, sem minket! Mindennek a személyes beszélgetésen kell eldőlnie.

Információ és jelentkezés:

László Flóra, program koordinátor

Email: flora.laszlo@gmail.com

The Romani Morpho-Syntax (RMS) Database is now accessible online on

http://romani.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/rms

Featuring:

- Comprehensive documentation of over 150 varieties of the language
- Phrase exemplification of all data in sound, transcription, and translation
- Browse, search, and query facilities
- Dynamic map-generating function that plots the distribution of features
- Extensive Help menu
- Link to Romani Linguistics Page with background information on the Romani language
- bibliographical database of Romani linguistics
- downloadable DVD presentation in 17 languages on the historical development of Romani

and more.

Username and Login are NOT required in order to access the database

Note that data entry for some categories and samples is still in progress.

Comments are welcome and can be sent to romani@manchester.ac.uk

Yaron Matras
Professor in Linguistics
School of Languages, Linguistics & Cultures
University of Manchester
Manchester M13 9PL, UK

If you wish the information about your organization to be included in the emerging Roma organizations database, please, send a message, which including the following information on your organization:

1. Title.

2. Address.

3. Telephone.

4. Fax.

5. E-mail.

6. Website.

7. Skype or ICQ or Yahoo Messenger.

8. Profile on Facebook or Twitter or LinkedIn.

9. Areas of activity of your organization.

Send the message to romale@zahav.net.il with the word “Database” in a “Subject” line. All received relevant information will be posted shortly on http://www.idebate.org/roma/.

Looking forward to hear from you!

Mr. Valery Novoselsky, Editor, Roma Virtual Network.

http://www.valery-novoselsky.org/romavirtualnetwork.html 

I am writing to you to advocate for the new campaign of La Drom Kotar, which aims to have October 8th officially declared the “International Roma Women’s Day”, in recognition of the work of all Romani Women. The idea behind the campaign was conceived at the above mentioned congress. Please feel free to check out the website of the campaign (http://dromkotar.org/en/) or to go directly to the campaign page to sign the petition (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/8octubre/). La Drom Kotar believes that education is a tool for social change and I stand right along side this idea. Please help and sign the petition. By signing, it allows for 1. International Recognition that allows for organizations to apply for grants to continue their efforts 2. Allows the international community to see that the Roma people are organized and trying to change their future. If we receive 250,000 signatures the Spanish and Catalan Government will listen and declare the 8th of October International Roma Women’s Day. I ask you because I think you would not only be interested in this information and campaign, but perhaps could help us spread and share the news.

PLEASE take a moment to look at the website of La Drom Kotar Mestipen (http://dromkotar.org/en/ )and decide for yourself if you would like to support their efforts. If you feel like signing the petition, please visit (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/8octubre/). Also, I would like to highlight that the petition has been translated to various language: Spanish, Catalan, Romany, Romanian, Turkish and Italian. Thanks again and please know that I am here for ANY questions you might have.

Rosamaria Cisneros-Kotic

FACEBOOK – NO PLACE FOR GYPSY/ROMA/TRAVELLER HATE PAGES

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights - which arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are entitled – states that: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”

Adopted under the auspices of the Council of Europe, the European Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities sets forth a number of principles according to which States are to develop specific policies to protect the rights of minorities. These include: Promote the conditions necessary for minorities to maintain and develop their culture and identity, (Article 5) and Protect the rights to freedom of assembly, association, expression, thought, conscience, and religion. (Articles 7, 8, and 9)

Sadly, these remain empty words for many in the Gypsy/Roma/Traveller community as discrimination and prejudice (which Sir Trevor Philips, chair of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, describes as “the last ‘acceptable’ form of racism in the UK”.) is experienced here in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, on a daily basis. A worrying trend is the use of social networking sites such as Facebook to promote hatred towards the Gypsy/Roma/Traveller communities and to encourage others to take ‘vigilante’ style action to cleanse Gypsy/Roma/Travellers from an area.

These pages use offensive terminology such as: ‘pikey’ or ‘gypo scum’; a recently uploaded (now deleted) page contained comments calling for encampments to be petrol bombed. Whilst we accept that one of the key under pinning principles of social networking sites, and indeed the internet itself, it to enable a free flow of information, we do not accept that information that openly incites racial hatred and/or violence falls within these core principles.

Indeed, Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, sub section Safety, would appear to agree with us: You will not post content that: is hateful, threatening, or pornographic; incites violence; or contains nudity or graphic or gratuitous violence, You will not use Facebook to do anything unlawful, misleading, malicious, or discriminatory. Given the above statement, it is difficult to understand why Facebook is not exercising its responsibility to protect those users who are abused and offended by such pages or why, despite repeated reports by users, there is such a delay in these pages being removed. As a company recently valued at $50 billion,

Facebook could easily absorb the cost of installing software that would enable ‘instant’ deletion of pages which are clearly designed to incite racial hatred or at the very least a system which enables people to disable offensive and criminal content immediately which could then be reviewed by Facebook moderators at a later date. This petition is designed to remind Facebook that they have a duty to uphold every individual’s right to be protected from discrimination and physical harm and to urge Facebook to take all steps necessary to demonstrate that their company is not a ‘third party promoter’ of bigotry and prejudice.

Please sign this petition – say no to hate pages on Facebook http://www.petitions24.com/facebook__no_place_for_gypsyromatraveller_hate_pages

The UK Association of Gypsy Women would like to renew our appeal to all Gypsy Roma Traveller NGOs and individuals to help us to keep up the pressure on those European Governments who are forcibly returning the Roma community back to Kosovo. Thomas Hammarberg has condemned Governments of those countries that are indulging in this inhumane practice and so should we.

Please, support the Commissioner when he speaks out against such disgraceful practices by European Governments by writing to them. The returnees have no safe place to go some live in disbanded derelict properties without food, money or prospects of work, some have no choice but to return to live on the poisoned Toxic Waste Camps where death is probably the only possibility of their future that is guaranteed. Kosovo cannot be called a ‘Sanctuary’ but rather a return to a life of living hell. Please see a report below sent to UKAGW by a colleague from the Kosovo Medical Emergency Group

A personal report of the founder of the NGO Hope and Aid

I want to just refer to one other incident that had an effect on me, and about which surely someone in the Political arena should care? I and the 'Robin Hood' team were distributing aid to a Roma community in Fushe Kosova, on the outskirts of Pristina. A reasonably well dressed man stepped forward and tried to speak to me with a few words of broken English, and pulled out of his pocket a single sheet of paper. It had an official stamp, and I quickly recognised it as a repatriation paper. The man was born in Kosovo, and he is now 35. He hadn't lived in Kosovo since he was taken to Germany by his parents at the age of 17.

He has now been made to return (forced repatriation) from Norway (he also mentioned Germany) and was very keen to show me where he was living. I agreed to go with him after we finished, and he waited very patiently. When we arrived, we found a house of brick that had been built by his late father in the early 90's, but was never finished. His father died in the 90's. The house had no kitchen or bathroom, indeed nothing other than brick walls, concrete and rubble floors, and a tiled roof; no electricity, windows, or doors, and it has clearly been used by animals in the intervening period. The man has been sleeping on a piece of foam covered by a single blanket, and his smart travel suitcase stood beside it with all his worldly possessions contained therein, (which were actually just a few other clothes).

He has lived in Germany and I think Norway for 18 years. Having become used to western European living standards, it was clear that he had simply no idea how to now live on nothing!

I was shocked, he showed me a photograph of himself taken previously, looking smart and well dressed, and despite his relatively smart clothes, the difference was 'worlds' apart. He was desperate for me to help him get back to Germany where he had been forced to leave his girlfriend and his children, but the best I could offer was to get his message to MTS to properly investigate his circumstances, and to try to raise his plight, and that of so many others who are being forcibly repatriated from Europe.

I have no wish to accuse, or to pass judgment, but I'm told that many thousands of similar repatriations are being made to Kosovo, daily, and weekly, from across the EU, sometimes with promises of being met and looked after at the airport on arrival. Just yesterday Wednesday 14th April, Germany and Kosovo agreed on the return of some 14,000 former refugees, yet the Municipalities and our friends in MTS are overwhelmed and totally unable to cope properly with assistance for all of these 'human beings' who are largely being consigned to an existence on 'nothing'!

Programme Director

ERRC wishes to announce the vacancy of the post of ERRC Programme Director. Below you will find all the relevant information for applying for the post.

Documents include the:

* Job description
* Person specification
* Guidance notes for applicants
* Application form
* Equal opportunities form
* Recruitment feedback form

Please follow the link to access the ERRC application documents: http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=2848.

You can search our website for information about the work of ERRC at www.errc.org.

The criteria we use for short-listing is set out in the person specification and follow on from the job description tasks. Please take time to read the guidance notes on how to fill out your application. It is important that your application shows how you meet ALL points mentioned in the person specification. If you do not meet all of the criteria or do not have experience on some of the points listed, please state how you would aim to accomplish the work.

Closing date for applications: 3 September (8.00 am Budapest time)

Interview date: Provisionally planned for 21 September 2007
in Budapest

You are kindly asked to send your application (letter of interest, application form, paper and the equal opportunities form; the latter is not obligatory) preferably by e-mail to dora.eke@errc.org. Applications in other formats than outlined in the guidance notes will not be considered. Please ensure your e-mail has been received by requesting confirmation.

ERRC offers a competitive salary and benefits package based on experience which is subject to negotiations.

We kindly ask you not to call for information before you are invited for an interview.

We wish you every success with your application and thank you for your interest in ERRC.

European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)

“The Gypsies are cumming like wolves, they’re multiplying like sheep.

The first to leave will be international companies. There won’t be anyone to sell their new shit to, and they’ll move away to somewhere with less Gypsies and more money. Who’s going to buy soap for soft and tender white skin? Dirty Gyppos?”

“The difference between Gypsies and cattle is that cattle are subject to veterinary control. Livestock can't behave like Gypsies, but the reverse is allowed. Bovine rights and freedoms have been under serious pressure to years, and during that time the Gypsy woman has given birth to twins again and she's as bloody-minded as a cow yet again.”

The above are to be found in articles by Kalin Rumenov, the recipient of the 2008 Bulgarian Chernorizetz Hrabur "Young Journalist" prize. These articles are regularly published in the "Novinar" national newspaper, which makes no effort to distance itself from his views or to publish any balancing material to counter Rumenov’s. The Bulgarian Press Ethics Commission does not consider this to be a problem worthy of their attention.

This award was received by Kalin Rumenov at an official ceremony in Sofia, Bulgaria on the 25th of May 2008 in the presence of leading politicians, members of Parliament and journalists. The awards for press journalists were instituted by the Union of Publishers in Bulgaria in 2002, covering 11 categories.

Rumenov consistently portrays Roma in violently offensive terms as backward and second-rate, as a community whose members are unable to take decisions for themselves and their own development. He calls on the state to deal with them by all possible means, presenting Roma as a pest which threatens the security of the “better” Bulgarian ethnic group.

Following the award to Kalin Rumenov, a coalition in Bulgaria of various professional groups set up a petition for the prize to be publicly withdrawn. Those who signed the petition to withdraw his prize are calling on the President and the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, who were present at the ceremony to make a public declaration that they do not share the values represented by the racist author.

Please join this protest and participate in the campaign demanding a recall of the prize and a condemnation of anti-Gypsyism in the Bulgarian media.

Please send an e-mail to ieifoundation@yahoo.com or v.nicolae@diplomacy.edu including your name, position and country and we will add your name to the existing list.

To see the full letter of protest and list of signatures please go to http://www.ergonetwork.org/bulgariakrl.doc . For a translation of the worst of Kalin Rumenov;s article please go to http://www.ergonetwork.org/krarticle.doc
The coalition which backed the petition is monitoring the development of the case and will provide information on any decisions taken and on its future intentions. At the same time, the coalition is launching an appeal to the relevant international and European organisations and institutions and to individuals to support the demand set out in the petition as appropriate.

Signed on behalf of the Campaign secretariat:

Adela Peeva, Bulgaria
Ivailo Dichev, Bulgaria
Kalina Bozeva, Bulgaria
Krustio Krustev, Buglaria
Liliana Makaveeva, Bulgaria
Mark Bossanyi, UK/Bulgaria
Valeriu Nicolae, Romania

Radio Chachimo from eight countries: Germany, Balkan, United Kingdom,
Rumania, Spain, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Sweden.

Radio Chachimo, SR International's most recent production in Romany,
has now been on the air for five moths. In June, contributing partners
from all around Europe will be gathering for a conference in Stockholm
to evaluate their work and for discus the program Radio Chachimo.

You have possibility to listening to our program at this address
www.sr.se/romani

We welcome your comments on and suggestions for the program!

Best regards
Swedish Radio/SR-international
Radio Romano
Agnes Lakatos
radioromano@sr.se

The Roma Education Fund, a foundation dedicated to closing the education outcome gap between Roma and non Roma, announces an open call for one position of a member of the Western Balkan Selection Board as a part of the REF/ Scholarship Programs for Kosovo.

The position is short term Consultancy based activity and subject to renewal.

Required skills, knowledge and experience:

- Candidates must hold MA, PhD or equivalent degree;

- Be citizens of Kosovo;

- Have at least two years of experience in Academia and/or have good knowledge of the Educational system in the country and the Western Balkan region overall.
Excellent writing and oral skills in English.

- Willingness to contribute a considerable amount of time to familiarize themselves with the Applications/Reports, Selection Guidelines, Program policies, Project plans and other Program related materials.

- Willingness to travel to one of the Western Balkan region for Selection Meeting, as well as attend annual coordination meeting in Budapest.

- Ability and Interest to work in multiethnic environment.

- Good knowledge of issues related to access to higher education for minority in the region

- Knowledge of Roma Education issues represents an advantage.

Individuals identifying themselves as Roma are strongly encouraged to apply.

CV and Letter of Intention in English to be sent on the following email addresses:

Rodica Moroi rmoroi@romaeducationfund.org

and Merziha Idrizi midrizi@romaeducationfund.org

Deadline for submission of applications is August 15, 2009.

26 February 2008 – In a document published today, Romano Them warns about plans to forcibly repatriate Roma and other so-called vulnerable groups to Kosovo after independence. Romano Them refers to the adoption by the Kosovo government in October 2007 of two policy documents, the Readmission Policy and the Strategy for the Reintegration of Repatriated Persons, which lay down the groundwork for the readmission of a large group of forced returnees after UNMIK's departure.

Both documents and in particular the Reintegration Strategy put the accent on the reintegration of so-called vulnerable groups which have so far benefited from a relative protection against forced repatriations on the basis of the UNHCR's position on the continued need for international protection of individuals from Kosovo.

Several references indicate that Roma, together with Ashkalija and Kosovo Egyptians will be among the first targets of forced repatriations, Romano Them says. Both documents seem to indicate that the UNHCR's position will be increasingly hollowed out by administrative practice. Romano Them refers to a note issued by the German Federal Ministry of Interior in December last year explaining that in future the geographic origin of a person from Kosovo will determine whether a person can be forcibly repatriated or not.

Romano Them stresses out that the main deterrent to the return of Roma to Kosovo has been the unstable security situation and their lack of trust in the Kosovo institutions to protect their rights. Referring to official reports, Romano Them points out at the persistent discrimination of Roma in Kosovo which includes their neglect in the reconstruction process.

Forced returns of Roma to Kosovo, under the given circumstances, raise a number of human rights issues, not only in relation with refugee protection, but also in terms of guaranteed political, economic, and social rights, Romano Them says. For Romano Them, they constitute an implicit acknowledgment by the international community of its failure to create the conditions for safe returns of Roma and other minorities to Kosovo as part of its mandate under UNSCR 1244 (1999).

Romano Them is an internet platform informing about the situation of Roma in Kosovo and Kosovo Roma in diaspora.

The document is available on the website of Romano Them.

See: http://kosovoroma.wordpress.com/2008/02/26/by-force-if-necessary-minority-returns-to-kosovo-after-independence/

Romano Them

__________


Zorea dendo irinipa ani Kosova: Romano Them chivela puchipe palo respekti e Manushikane Hakajenge

26 Februari 2008 - Ano dokumenti publicirimo-ikaldo avdive, Romano Them delamen angleder ki godi palo bilachipa e planekso kotar e zorea dendo irinipa e Romengo thay yavere akharde ko anav nasigurime grupe e manushengo palo Kosovako biumlavipe. Romano Them ko akava pandelape ko 2 dokumentya kola isine ande kotar e Kosovaki gavermenta ko Oktombri 2007 bersheste Readmisijako Dokumenti thaj Strategiya pali Reintegracija e Manushenge kola irinenape, dokumentya kola anena baza pali readmisiya-irinipa pobare grupake manushengo kola zorea irinenape palo UNMIK-sko muklipa e Kosovako.

Soduj dokumetya a majbut e Reintegracijaki Strategiya chivela punkto ki reintegraciya e nasigurime grupe e manushengo, kola ji akana isinelen beneficiya kotar e relativno siguripa ando zorea dendi repatriyaciya-irinipa, bazirimo ki UNHCR poziciya palo phiravni Internacionalno suguripa e manushengo kotar Kosova.

Pobuter reference dena ano jandipa kay Roma, Ashkaliye thay Kosovake Egipchanya ka oven jekto manusha kolen ka astarel zorea irinipa, Romano Them penela. Soduj dokumentya chivena ki godi kay UNHCR-ski poziciya, na ka lelpe ani administrativno praktika. Panglo akaleya Romano Them akharelape ko vakeripa ano Decembro 2007 bersheste kova isine dendo kotar o Germansko Federalno Ministri palo Andrune Bukya kote ov motavela kay ano avutnipe geografsko pandlipe e personako kotar Kosova na ka lelpe ano dikhipe kana mangelape e persona te irinelpe zorea.

Romano Them mothavela kay majmahatno daravipe Romengoro te irinenpe ki Kosova isi bizosiguripe e situciyako, thaj lengoro bipakyavipe ano kosovake instituciye. Panglo oficijalno reporteya, Romano Them chivela ko jandipa biachavdi diskriminaciya e Romengi ani Kosova, kote ando peste chivela rekonstruciyako procesi.

Zorea irinipa e Romegoro ani situaciya sar soy, vazdela jek pobaro numero e Manushikane Hakajengoro, kola pande na samo e e nasle manushengi siguripa-protekciya, so majdur panglo e garantirime poliitikune, ekonomiyakr thay sociulikune hakaya, phenela o Romano Them. Romano Themeske akala ande ji ki indirektno jandipa kotar e Mashkarthemutne Puvya palo lengiri na shukar buti vash pali kreaciya e kondicijengo e sigurimo irinipa e Romengoro thay yavere minoritatengo kova chivdo sar mandati ani rezoluciya 1244 (1999).

Romengi ani Kosova thay e Kosovake Romengo kola arakhenape ani diaspora.

Dokumenti shay re arakelpe akate:

http://kosovoroma.wordpress.com/2008/02/26/by-force-if-necessary-minority-returns-to-kosovo-after-independence/

Romano Them

To any concerned parties:

I would like to be in contact with any Romani folk who would be willing to shed some light on a tradition that was attributed to the Romani in Germany/Hungary. If anyone had family members who ever travelled to Goslar, Germany in their lifetimes, please contact me. My email: Ulfur_Engil@bk.ru

Thank you.

"I held my son Robi's head in my lap. He kept trying to say that they, they, they, that they had shot him, but he was not able to say it. My little grandson wasn't really conscious, he gasped for air, lying there with closed eyes, and the tears just ran from his eyes" - On February 23, Csaba Csorba and his wife Erzsebet lost their firstborn son, 27-year-old Robi, and their four-year-old grandson Robika. They were escaping from their home, which had been set on fire, when they were shot down from behind. Little Robi would have been five years old on June 8: he wanted a bicycle for his birthday.

Roma and non-Roma mourn together with the Csorba family. We will stand behind them at the funeral. Together we will see father and son off on their final journey. It is the responsibility of all of us that events have reached this point.

We will not allow further innocent victims to die in Hungary. We will be there in Tatárszentgyörgy on Tuesday, March 3 at 1:00 p.m.

The organizers are private individuals. Questions may be addressed to Bence Békés at 06-20-329-7711.

The Roma Education Fund seeks an administrative assistant for its office in Budapest, Hungary.

The ideal candidate should:
- Speak fluent Hungarian, and a good command of the English language (written and spoken) is essential and Romani preferable
- Have excellent organization and communication skills
- Have at least 2 year’s experience in a similar position
- Have high level secretary qualification would be an advantage
- Be ready to take on multiple tasks such as: general office administration, writing meeting minutes, organize seminars and conference
- Be reliable, accurate, should like to work in team but also be ready to work on own initiative

The position offers:
- challenging and diverse tasks
- work with a dynamic international team
- competitive salary
- enjoyable environment

CV and motivation letter in Hungarian and English (proposal for wage level welcome), should be forwarded to: jzsiga@romaeducationfund.org

The deadline for applications is November 9, 2007.

For more information about the Roma Education Fund, please visit www.romaeducationfund.org.

Consultant – Communications Analyst

Terms of References

Background:

In January 2005, the Roma Education Fund (REF) came into existence as a Swiss Foundation with the goal of closing the education outcome gap between Roma and non-Roma children in Central and Eastern Europe.

At the donor conference in Paris in December 2004, co-chaired by the World Bank, OSI, and the Council of Europe Development Bank, 13 donors committed EUR 34 million of funding to the REF. This EUR 34 million constituted REF’s “seed funds” to start up operations and help mobilize further funding. In 2005, the REF Office in Budapest was set up and necessary staff recruited.

After two years of successful operations a new communication and fundraising strategy was developed and approved by the Board during its meeting of June 14, 2007. The implementation of the Fundraising Strategy is the next priority for REF for 2007-2009. As a first step, the REF management has decided to recruit a consultant for its new fundraising team, whose terms of references are described below.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Consultant will contribute to advancing the implementation of REF’s Fundraising Strategy. More specifically, the Consultant will form part of REF’s new fundraising team and will carry out different communications activities. These will include, among others, the following tasks:

* Monitoring and drafting grant applications in English. This will be the principal task of the Consultant, in cooperation with other REF staff.

* Contributing to renewing donor relations with existing donors and establishing cooperation with new ones, including everyday correspondence and communications.

* Engaging in REF’s external and strategic communications activities, including drafting articles, reports, and other information materials presenting REF for external audiences.

Qualifications:

* University diploma in journalism, communications or similar fields.

* Excellent English language knowledge, both written and oral.

* Experience in writing grant applications in English.

* Excellent ability to synthesize information in written form.

* Around 5 years of work experiences, preferably in a multi-cultural environment.

* Experience in working with Roma affairs, social inclusion and/or education is a plus.

* Ability to work under pressure and long hours, if necessary.

* Location in Budapest. (The candidate should be based already in Budapest).

* Roma origin is a plus.

Reporting:

The Consultant will report directly to the Director of the Fund.

Contact:

Please send letter of interest in English and CV with three references to Vbodoczky@romaeducationfund.org before 12 August, 2007.

Detailed information on REF can be found at www.romaeducationfund.hu

The purpose of the Roma Education Fund is to contribute to closing the gap in educational outcomes between Roma and non-Roma by initiating policies and programs to support quality education for Roma--including desegregation of educational systems in countries that have formally joined the Decade of Roma Inclusion.

Mr. Alexandre Marc, Executive Director of the Roma Education Fund (REF), has announced his decision to go back to the World Bank to take a new assignment. The REF Governing Board is eager to ensure continuity of the REF's ongoing actions and to provide for a smooth transition. It is inviting applications for the post of Executive Director, for candidates to succeed Mr. Alexander Marc.

The role of the Executive Director is to support and advise the REF Board in devising its policies, to manage REF programs, to manage the staff, and to raise funds. The Executive Director is accountable to the Governing Board.

Duties:

* Manage--and be accountable to the Governing Board for--the REF's operations, staff, and finances.

* Build and sustain a network of technical expertise on Roma education, so that this network is available to the REF and others.

* Develop strong collaborative links with all stakeholders, including those involved in the Decade of Roma Inclusion.

* Represent the REF externally.

* Advocate improved educational outcomes for Roma.

* Liaise with REF contributors and raise resources for the organization.

* Sustain the independence, objectivity, and integrity of the REF.
Profile

The successful applicant must have:

* The vision and drive to further develop the REF's activities.

* A successful track record of at least five years of managing staff, resources, and fiduciary responsibilities, preferably in a European multicultural environment.

* Experience with minority inclusion issues, programs, and projects, preferably involving Roma.

* Knowledge of education issues as they pertain to minorities.

* Ability to work effectively and sensitively with a very wide range of stakeholders, including: Roma people, Roma organizations, governments at all levels, international agencies, aid agencies, foundations, non-government and civil society organizations, and educational leaders.

* Familiarity with international organizations in Europe, especially the European Commission and the Council of Europe.

* Strong administrative and budgetary skills.

* Knowledge of the principles and techniques of grant administration.

* Excellent spoken and written English. Knowledge of other relevant European languages is desirable.

* Excellent public speaking and advocacy skills.

* The highest personal integrity.

Salary and Benefits: Commensurate with experience

Applicants should send a letter of interest, a statement (of up to 500 words) indicating the contribution they could make to the Roma Education Fund, a full CV, and the names of two references who may be contacted before interviews are held to:

Roma Education Fund
VÁCI UTCA 63
1056 BUDAPEST
HUNGARY
WWW.ROMAEDUCATIONFUND.ORG
PHONE: 36-1-235-8030
FAX: 36-1-235-8031
office@romaeducationfund.org

Deadline for applications: May 15, 2007

European Roma and Travellers Forum
Press Release

Strasbourg, 16 January 2009: Today, in a letter addressed to United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon the European Roma and Travellers Forum expressed its indignation at the decision to exclude the Roma Holocaust from the commemoration ceremony.

Mr. Kawczynski, president of the European Roma and Travellers Forum said this decision did not honor the United Nations, which should be at the forefront in respecting the memory of persecuted populations.

“The Holocaust was the implementation of the Final Solution, Hitler’s genocide programme intended to eradicate the genetic contaminants in his plan to create a master race. Only Jews and Roma were subject to the Final Solution, and both peoples lost the same percentage of their total number. However, since the end of the war in 1945, nothing has been done to acknowledge the Romani survivors” said the ERTF president.

Mr Kawczynski reminded United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon of his statement at a Press Conference on 14 December, 2006 where he strongly maintained that “Denying historical facts, especially on such an important subject as the Holocaust, is just not acceptable. Nor is it acceptable to call for the elimination of any State or people. I would like to see this fundamental principle respected both in rhetoric and in practice by all the members of the international community”

He added that the United Nations’ decision to exclude Roma from Holocaust remembrance therefore clearly contradicted his views and only perpetuated the marginalisation of the Roma people in the historical record. The Roma continue to face exclusion and discrimination at all levels.

Mr. Kawczynski asked the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon for a meeting to discuss the increasing discrimination and marginalisation of Roma in member states.

* * *

The European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF), which has a partnership agreement with the Council of Europe and a special status with this institution, is Europe’s largest and most inclusive Roma organisation. It brings together Europe’s main international Roma-NGOs and more than 1,500 national Roma organisations from most of the Council of Europe’s member states.

For further information please contact:

European Roma and Travellers Forum
c/o Council of Europe
F – 67 075 Strasbourg
Tel.: 00 33 3 90 21 53 50
Email: ertf@ertf.org or ertf@coe.int

From the 25th to the 28th September, with the sponsorship of the Working Group on Minorities of the United Nations, AICRA (member of SKOKRA) will celebrate an internacional encounter of the Romani People, in Buenos Aires, at the Apart Hotel & Spa Congreso, with the participation of Romani attendants and representatives from Europe and Latin America, in a few days the agenda of the event will be available. The subject of the meeting will be: "Human Rights, Discrimination and Romani Associationism." Two representatives of the Working Group on Minorities and of the local Government of Buenos Aires will attend the event.

Information:

Jorge Bernal & Juan Carlos Atanasio
AICRA-SKOKRA
jorge@bernal.net.ar

Dear All!

As an editor of IDEA's Roma web page at http://idw.idebate.org/roma/ I'd be grateful if you would assist me with reliable information on any Roma individual who is well-integrated in civil society and, at the same time, did not lose his/her ethnic identity. Such profiles are very much needed in order to break the negative stereotypes against Roma people widespread in the countries of Central and South-Eastern Europe.

The profile of a Romani individual can be composed in a such format:

Name
Year of birth
Country of residence
Profession
Biography in brief
Photo (if available)

You can send me this info at romale@zahav.net.il

Baxt, sastipe!

Kind regards,
Valery Novoselsky.
Editor of Roma Virtual Network

http://romove.radio.cz/en/article/21737

Czech Radio has announced on December 10 that it will be sponsoring the Romipen Photography Contest, to which the participants can send the photographs documenting the Romany life, their traditions and customs. Contest is opened to all persons and that includes professional as well as amateur photographers, Roma, as well as Non-Roma from various countries. Deadline for the participation in the contest has been set for May 31, 2008. Exact rules of this contest can be found on http://romove.radio.cz/en/clanek/21738.

The contestants’ assignment is to take a photograph of any “scene” from the Romany life - such as the themes from the life of Romany family, my Roma friend, Romany at work, relaxation or at fun, Roma artists or tradesmen, Christmas, Easter or other holiday celebrations, important lifetime events (baptism, weddings, funerals) and other situations that the life can bring us.

Photographs will be continuously published on this web site. When the contest ends the professional jury will select the winning work which will be awarded by interesting prizes (video camera, digital camera, MP3 players, etc.). The winning work will be selected by June 30, 2008 and the results of evaluation will be published the following day.

The Czech Radio is sponsoring the Romipen Contest on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the existence of the Roma www.romove.cz Internet website, 15th anniversary of the functioning editorial board of the Czech Radio and on the occasion of ending the year 2007 which the European Commission has declared as the year of equal opportunities for all.

Contest will be organized under the patronage of Dzamila Stehlíkova, Minister for Human Rights and National Minorities in the Government of the Czech Republic.

please find updates on the Situation in Italy on www.RomNews.com.

- Dozens of articles

- Videos

- Maps on the Roma Ghettos in Rome/Italy

- Contact to Roma in the field in Italy

- Call for Support of the Roma National Congress

__________

po RNN araken e maj neve infomacije pala situacija ande Italia po www.RomNews.com .

- But artiklura

- Videos

- Mapi kaj thaj sar trajin e Roma ande Ghettura ande Roma/Italia

- Kontaktura ke Rom ande Italia

- Akaraimo po djutipe katar o Roma National Congress

__________

auf www.RomNews.com erhalten Sie die aktuellsten updates zur Situation in Italien.

- Duzende Artikel

- Videos, u.A. einen Bericht des heute journals vom 15.05.08

- Kartenmaterial zu Roma Ghettos in Rom/Italien

- Kontaktinformationen zu Roma vor Ort

- Hilfeaufruf des Roma National Congresses.

RomNews Network
Roma Press Agency since 1993
Hamburg / Germany
Emergency Hotline: +49 179 7507848

please include rss feature on the page(s) thanks

Dear Sir/ Madam,
I am a Romanian citizen, a Roma ethnic, and sophomore student in the drama class at the National Academy for Performing Arts in Bucharest, UNATC.
I already have been accepted and got an invitation letter to study at the Acting Corps, Los Angeles, USA, in the academic year 2007/2008.
This is why I ask you whether individual Roma students, seeking to better their professional development, receive any financial help from your organization.
According to your web-site, they do not.
But I just wanted you to clarify this for me, and maybe tell me who could indeed provide me the scholarship money I need.
Best regards,
Alina Serban
Bucharest, Romania
+40-748-926-641

On September 15th, the U.S. Department of State, with its partners from youth and democracy organizations, academia, and the film/entertainment industry, launched the Second Annual Democracy Video Challenge—a worldwide competition aimed at enhancing the global dialogue on democracy. The Democracy Video Challenge asks filmmakers, democracy advocates, and the general public to create short videos that complete the phrase, “Democracy is…” Deadline: January 31, 2010.

The winners are selected by the online voting public. Six regional winners receive an all expense paid trip to the United States.

About the challenge

Create a video short that completes the phrase "Democracy is…"

The Prize

- An all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., New York and Hollywood.

- Gala screenings of the winning videos in Hollywood, New York and Washington

- Exposure to filmmakers and the U.S. film and television industry.

- Meetings with democracy advocates from government, media and civil society.

The Timeline

- SUBMISSION DEADLINE - MIDNIGHT GMT JANUARY 31, 2010.

- Challenge semifinalists will be selected on or about March 31, 2010.

- An independent jury will narrow down the semifinalists to 21 finalists on or about May 15, 2010.

- The general public will vote online for the winning videos May 15 – June 15, 2010.

- Seven winners – one each from the Western Hemisphere, Europe, Middle East/North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South & Central Asia, East Asia/Pacific and one anonymous winner – will be announced in mid-June 2010. The six publicly identified winners, one from each of the six geographic regions, will travel to the United States to claim their prize in the fall of 2010.

The Details

- You must be 18 or older to enter.

- Videos can be any style: fiction or documentary, animated or live action.

- Videos must be no longer than three minutes.

- Videos must be in English or have English subtitles.

- Contestants may enter anonymously, but anonymous winners cannot collect the grand prize.

- See contest site for a complete list of rules: http://www.videochallenge.america.gov/.

I am seeking contact with NGOs and Roma working on issues related to informal settlements in urban and peri-urban areas of Macedonia, BiH, Serbia, Montenegro, and/or Croatia. I am specifically interested in progress of stated objectives within their Decade action plans. You can reach me at mhughes2@uno.edu. I look forward to hearing from you!

Activate yourself! Present making and postcard writing night for Ketrin.

January 12, Tuesday 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.

AIHU Office 1064 Budapest, Rózsa utca 44. 2 em. 15

We provide: stationery, color paper, glue, ideas (origami, drawings etc.), tea, music, etc.

You provide: yourself.

We are looking forward to seeing you! Are you coming?

Participate in the currently ongoing international solidarity action organized by AI with the victims of violent attacks against the Roma in Hungary. The aim of this is to express our solidarity with the survivor of the latest attack, Ketrin Balogh, whose mother was shot dead (http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/romani-woman-shot-dead-hungary-20090804). The incident is being treated as a racist attack.

Since the launch of the solidarity action at the end of November Ketrin received 30-40 letters or postcards. She was really happy to receive these. The arrived mostly from Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, UK and the US. She has for far received only 2 messages from Hungary. Write to her! Please send messages of support and solidarity to Ketrin, through cards, letters, children’s drawings at the address of the family’s lawyer who will regularly deliver your messages to Ketrin. Please do not send fresh flowers as they may not be delivered in time for Ketrin to enjoy them. You may include a religious message.

   Ketrin Balogh, C/O Dr. Árpád Csonka

   3100 Salgótarján

   Március 15. út 4., 3/52

   Hungary

Ketrin prefers Hungarian, so if you want you can also write a message in Hungarian: "Gondolatban Veled vagyunk!"("We are thinking of you")

This action will be a first step in a wider country strategy for Hungary, and will be framed in the scope of the work on Roma within the Non-Discrimination Campaign in Europe: 

* Attacks by non-state actors against racial and religious minorities will be included in a report in late 2010, providing a regional perspective on this question. 

* The Hungary team at the IS will visit Hungary in the New Year to research this issue, meet with civil society and families of victims of attacks as well as the authorities in order to make recommendations for effective action against the attacks in spring 2010. Please watch out for the campaign in February!

__________

Aktiváld magad! Ajándékkészítő és levélíró este Ketrinnek.

Január 12, Kedd 17:00- 19:00

AIM Iroda gyere és írj te is Ketrinek!

1064 Budapest, Rózsa utca 44. 2 em. 15.

Amit mi adunk: kellékek (színes papír, olló, ragasztó, matrica etc.), ötletek (origami, rajzok etc.), tea, zene stb.

Amit te hozz: magadat!

Várunk. Jössz?

Az Amnesty International Nemzetközi Titkársága szolidaritási akciót szervezett a Romákat ért erőszakos támadások áldozataiért Magyarországon. Az akció célja, hogy együttérzésünket fejezzük ki a legutolsó, 2009. augusztusi támadás túlélőjével, Balogh Ketrinnel akinek édesanyja a történtek következtében meghalt (http://web.amnesty.hu/h%C3%ADrek/agyonlttek-egy-roma-nt-magyarorszagon ). Az incidens rasszista indíttatásból elkövetett tettnek minősül.

Ketrin eddig 30-40 szolidaritási üzenetet kapott, aminek nagyon örült. Ezek főleg Németországból, Ausztirából, Hollandiából, Nagy Britanniából és az Egyesült Államokból érkeztek. Magyarországról eddig 2 üzenetet kapott. Kérjük, hogy Te is küldj Ketrinnek szolidaritási üzenetet még ma! Írhatsz neki hosszabban, de egy pár sornak is nagyon örül.

Cím:

   Balogh Ketrin (Dr. Csonka Árpád )

   Március 15. út 4., 3/52

   Salgótarján 3100

Ez az akció egy átfogóbb magyarországi stratégia első lépése lesz az európai Diszkrimináció Mentességi Kampány romákra kiterjedő munkájának keretein belül. Az Amnesty International Nemzetközi Titkárságának Magyarországért felelős csapata várhatóan január 29. és február 8. között hazánkba látogat majd a kérdést vizsgálandó. Kérjük, figyeld a februári kampányt!

A SOTE-n orvos egyetemi felvételi előkésztőt vezetek szeptembertől, ehhez keresek 15-20 érettsgizett roma fiatalt az egész ország területről, akik orvosok szeretnének lenni, s VISSZA AKARNAK MENNI ORVOSNAK A SAJÁT LAKHELYŰKRE!

A következő emailen várjuk a jelentkezst: buraikatalin@gmail.com 

Csatlakozzon társadalmi célú kampányunkhoz! 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stastny-novy-rok-Slovensko-Boldog-Uj-Evet-Magyarorszag/181696465145

A látszólag egyre súlyosabbá  váló szlovák-magyar ellentét, és az ebből adódó feszültség oldására társadalmi célú kommunikációt tervezünk megvalósítani többek között valamely, nézettségét tekintve kiemelkedő szlovák, illetve magyar televíziós csatornán és egyéb kommunikációs csatornákon. Minél nagyobb média lefedettség elérése a cél marketing és pr eszközökkel. 

Meggyőződésünk, hogy a feszültséget elsősorban az aktuál-politika generálja, ezért úgy véljük, hogy a két ország civil társadalmának nagy részét pozitívan befolyásolhatja az általunk tervezett gesztus értékű kampány. A két országban egyidejűleg zajló média kampány 2010 januárjának első felében egy egyszerű, mindkét fél számára eljuttatott üzenettel kívánja a megbékélést előmozdítani:

Štastný nový rok, Slovensko! / Boldog Új Évet Magyarország!

http://boldogujevetmagyarorszag.sk / http://stastnynovyrokslovensko.hu

A Magyarországon terjesztett társadalmi hirdetést szlovák civil szervezetek, a szlovákiában sugárzott “Štastný nový rok, Slovensko”-ot pedig magyar civil szervezetek dedikálják.

Vagyis kezdjük az új évet új lappal, új párbeszéddel, a párbeszédet pedig jókívánsággal!

A projekt alapfontosságú részét képezi továbbá egy weboldal, ahol többet is meg tudhatnak az érdeklődők a kampányról, valamint egy blognak is helyet adna a site, ahol a kampány eredményessége is lemérhető. 

A megvalósítás tervezett ideje: 2010. január 

A kampány politikai ideológiáktól és pártoktól független, a kezdeményező öt magánszemély.

Kérjük, amennyiben szervezete csatlakozna a kezdeményezéshez, küldje el a boldogujevet@gmail.com

* e-mail címre szervezete pontos nevét

* kapcsolattartó nevét

* telefonos

* és e-mail elérhetőségét.

Kérjük, továbbítsa a felhívást partnereinek! Kérjük, amennyiben kapcsolatban áll szlovákiai civil szervezettel, értesítse a kezdeményezésről!

A kampányhoz kizárólag civil szervezetek jelentkezését várjuk, a honlapon azonban lehetőség lesz magánszemélyek és egyéb szervezetek csatlakozására is.

A honlapok indulásának várható időpontja 2009. december 15.

További információért keresse a szervezőket a boldogujevet@gmail.com vagy a novyrok10@gmail.com e-mail címen.

Várjuk csatlakozási szándékukat, üdvözlettel,

a szervezők:

Bakos Gábor | Bindics Gábor | Juhász Péter | Lippai Hunor | Nagy Patrik

Summer Course in Romany Studies at Central European University in Budapest

We would like to solicit your help to promote the summer course, funded by the European Commission within the framework of Marie Curie Conferences and Training Courses, on “MULTI-DISCIPLINARY AND CROSS-NATIONAL APPROACHES TO ROMANY STUDIES - A MODEL FOR EUROPE” among your colleagues, your graduate students, or any interested researchers.

Course Dates: July 6-24, 2009
Location: Central European University (CEU), Budapest, Hungary,
Detailed course description: http://www.sun.ceu.hu/romany

Faculty:

Michael Stewart, Department of Anthropology, University College London/CEU, Nationalism Studies; Julia Szalai, Institute of Sociology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences/Nationalism Studies, CEU; Judith Okely, Oxford University, IGS Queen Elizabeth House, UK; Yaron Matras, University of Manchester, UK; Paloma Gay y Blasco, University of St. Andrews; Elisabeth Tauber, Institute of Ethnology and African Studies, University of Munich, Germany; Henriette Asseo, Ecoles des Hatues Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Paris; Judit Durst, University College London; Livia Jaroka, European Parliament, Brussels; Ilsen About, European University Institute, Florence; four junior faculty from our previous training program

Target group:

a) Minimum requirement is a first degree allowing the student to pursue doctoral studies.

b) The main target group is junior and postdoctoral researchers interested in developing Romany Studies primarily involved in academic MA or Ph.D. education.

Other persons who are engaged in research in a non-academic environment (think tanks, government departments, NGOs and the like) are also eligible. Given the political and policy importance of the topics we deal with we expect a significant minority of our trainees to be researchers in NGOs, government or other non-university public institutions. We expect the majority, however, to be academically engaged researchers.

c) Eligibility categories:

* Early-stage researchers with up to four years’experience of their research career (engagement in a relevant academic program or professional activity) Applicants in this category will in general have precedence.

* Experienced researchers with up to ten years’experience of their research career (engagement in a relevant academic program or professional activity)

* Experienced researchers with more than ten years’experience of their research career (engagement in a relevant academic program or professional activity), who have a ‘European Union’ citizenship, but do not live in Europe at the time of the events

Language of instruction: English

Application deadline: February 16, 2009
Online application (from mid November): http://www.sun.ceu.hu/apply

We’d be grateful if you could forward this information to those potentially interested in our summer school (individuals, listservs, blogs, electronic journals, etc.) and/or have a short announcement placed on a relevant web site.

Thank you for your kind assistance.

Sincerely yours,

Kornelia Vargha
CEU Summer University
Program Officer
Budapest, 1051
Nador u. 9.
Hungary
Tel.: (36-1) 328-3699
Fx.: (36-1) 327-3124
email: varghak@ceu.hu

Petíció Erzsébetváros Önkormányzatának Képviselő-testületéhez

A Roma Sajtóközpont eddigi működése és felbecsülhetetlen gyűjteménye Budapest és az ország egyik büszkesége, munkatársaik áldozatos tevékenységének köszönhetően az emlékezés és a demokratikus jogállamiság, a civil szemlélet meghatározó példája. Függetlenségével és szabadságával a magyar kultúrában, civil mozgalomban, médiában megkerülhetetlen értéket teremtett. Alulírottak támogatásunkról biztosítjuk a Roma Sajtóközpontot és munkatársait, társadalmi szempontból különösen fontosnak tartjuk további működésének biztosítását. Felhívjuk a VII. kerület illetékeseit, hogy döntésüket vizsgálják felül, a hatályos jogszabályok és rendelkezések figyelembevételével, illetve a Roma Sajtóközpont társadalmi súlyára és értékére tekintettel biztosítsák és támogassák eddigi tevékenységét.

A petíciót itt írhatod alá: http://www.petitiononline.com/2010rsk/petition.html

The dearth of acivity surrounding education and human rights as they involve the Roma has seemed to greatly suffered due to the current economic climate here in Romania. Any thoughts as how a Ph.D reseracher may address this problem?

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Roma Pavilion International Award for Young Curators and Art Critics

Theme: Paradise Lost - The First Roma Pavilion

Organized by:
The Roma Cultural Participation Project of the Arts and Culture Network Program, Open Society Institute, Budapest.

The Award:
The Roma Pavilion International Award for Young Curators and Art Critics will award a prize of € 1,500 for the best - most thorough, analytical and constructively critical - review written about Paradise Lost–The First Roma Pavilion by a young curator and/or art critic of contemporary art. The authors should consider the wider theoretical context behind the idea of this transnational representation of a strong cultural identity. What is expected is not only a review about the Pavilion, but a critical survey on the connected topics of 'transnational community', 'historical globalized nation', and the issues around the representation of the mnority 'community' and 'plural identity' in the modern nation-state.

The submitted review could be an already published critical essay about the Roma Pavilion or one written specifically for this purpose. Should the prize be won by a group of authors the prize will be divided among them equally.

Eligibility requirements:
Each candidate may submit only one essay only for the competition. The call is open to curators of all nationalities born on or after January 1, 1972 - the age limit is 35 years. Should the submitted review be the work of more than one author, all the authors must meet the age requirement. Submissions will be accepted upon the timely receipt of the application documents. For collective entries each candidate must complete the application package. Entries must arrive by 12 PM (noon) on Friday, November 30, 2007 at the following e-mail address: acnp@osi.hu.

The application package should include the following documents:

Biography of the applicant - no more than 500 words;

Completed application form (NOTE: The application form can be requested from acnp@osi.hu.);

Analytical/critical essay - maximum 3,000 words.

Should any of these be missing or not meet the specified requirements, the entry will be excluded from the competition.

Language:
Applications and reviews should be submitted in English. Applicants are encouraged to also submit the text in the form and in the language it was originally written or published in, in order for the jury to verify the terms and expressions used by the author in the original wording.

Participation cost:
Participation is free of charge.

Evaluation:
The winners will be selected by a professional Jury of 5 members. The author best author will be awarded a prize and his/her review will be published on the website of the Roma Pavilion starting December 15, 2007.

The Jury
The international Jury is composed of five members. Each jury member will cast one vote in accordance with the criteria of the Award.

Members of the Jury:

Barnabás Bencsik

Barnabás Bencsik, born 1964, curator, lives and works in Budapest. He earned his degree in literature and history, and later in the history of art from ELTE University, Budapest. He became involved in the changing period of the Hungarian post-communist art scene, from 1990 to 1999 he run the Studio Gallery, Budapest the exhibition venue of the Studio of Young Artists Association. Parallel, he was visual arts program-coordinator at Soros Center for Contemporary Arts–Budapest between 1993–1995, when the CEE network of the offices were established, He worked as curator at the Trafo Gallery, Budapest (1999-2001) and as chief curator at the Műcsarnok|Kunsthalle, where he contributed to the realization of the show at the Hungarian Pavilion of the49th Venice Biennale. In 2001 he was the artistic director of MEO–Contemporary Art Collection, Budapest, and from 2002 he worked as an independent curator. He initiated and from 2006 he is the director of the ACAX /Agency for Contemporary Art Exchange (acax.hu), which is an office to support and develop various type of cooperation between the local and the international art scene. He is author of several publication on contemporary art and art criticism in Hungarian and international magazines, as well as exhibition catalogues.

Silvina Der-Meguerditchian

Silvina Der-Meguerditchian is the granddaughter of Armenian immigrants to Argentina and was born in Buenos Aires in 1967. She grew up in Argentina and since 1988 lives in Berlin. She is visual artists and runs since 2005 a virtual dialogue platform for Armenian contemporary artists. This platform presents a forum for frank dialogue on questions relating to identity, the potential for an Armenian identity beyond defined borders and notions passed on for generations, such as nationality, tradition and language.
A recurrent theme of her artistic work is the remembrance of the ethnic dislocation of the Armenian people and the genocide they suffered. Silvina Der-Meguerditchian ties a net. She connects the disparate, builds bridges between separate worlds and seeks a dialogue with the unknown. Her main focus is always on the actual process of joining and dissolving, constructing and deconstructing identity. Silvina Der-Meguerditchian’s work represents a type of mnemonics, namely the individual and collective art of commemoration. She is the curator of "Under Construction" - Talking about identities in the Armenian Transnation, the first Armenian Diaspora representation at the current Venice Biennial. http://www.underconstructionhome.net/underconstr_venice/bienal_intro.html

Annie Fletcher

Annie Fletcher is an independent critic and curator who lives and works in Amsterdam. She is interested in investigating the potential of curatorial practice (what it means to show and mediate art) and believes in the potential of dialogues and knowledge production and examining how any space marked for art (a museum, art school, a kunsthalle or residency program) sets up such a dynamic. Her current and recent projects include co-curating with Charles Esche the project "Be(com)ing Dutch in the Age of Global Democracy" at Van Abbemusuem (2006-2008), co-curating with Frederique Bergholtz "If I Can't Dance - I Don't Want To Be Part Of Your Revolution" at various locations from 2005 to 2008 (www.ificantdance,org), “Cork Caucus” with Charles Esche, Tara Byrne & Sean Kelly (NSF) and Art/Not Art in Cork, Ireland 2005 (www.corkcaucus.org). Be[com]ing Dutch is a two-year project, developed both inside and outside the Van Abbemuseum, which consists of debates, reading groups, artists' projects, exhibitions, residencies, and forms of collective participation and production. Be[com]ing Dutch asks whether art might offer alternative examples of thinking about how we might live together today. It seeks to put our ideas of cultural identity under pressure and examine the processes of inclusion and exclusion in the world today. Be[com]ing Dutch is developed by Charles Esche and Annie Fletcher and others in- and outside the Van Abbemuseum. Institutional partnerships: BAK [Utrecht], New Museum of Contemporary Art [New York], Goldsmiths College [London], Kosmose [Eindhoven] and Stichting Interart [Arnhem]. The project Be[com]ing Dutch by the Van Abbemuseum has been awarded the Development Award for Cultural Diversity 2006 by the Mondriaan Foundation. www.becomingdutch.com/

Beral Madra

Beral Madra, a critic and curator directing BM Contemporary Art Center (since 1984) www.btmadra.com Coordinated the 1st (1987) and the 2nd (1989) Istanbul Biennale, curated exhibitions of Turkish artists at the 43rd, 45th, 49th, 50th and 51st Venice Biennale. Since 1984 she has organized solo and group exhibitions of local and international artists in her art center and in other official art spaces in Istanbul. Beral Madra is representing Istanbul scholarship of Berlin Senate since 1995. She is founding member and art advisor of Diyarbakır Art Centre (established September 2002 www.diyarbakirsanatmerkezi.org), founding member and president of AICA, Turkey (established 2003). Recent Exhibitions: March 2007 ‘”Neighbours in Dialogue” A group show for the collection of Ars Aevi Contemporary art Museum, Sarajevo with artists from South Caucasus, Middle East and the Balkans, Feshane, Istanbul / September November 2007 “Unfinished” Opening exhibition of BM Suma, the new space of BM Contemporary Art Center, www.bmsuma07.blogspot.com. Recent Books: Neighbours in Dialogue Editors: Beral Madra/Ayºe Orhun Gültekin, Norgunk Publishers, Istanbul, 2005 / Maidan, Eassays on Contemporary Art in South Caucasus and Middle East, BM Contemporary Art Publications, 2007.

Marina Grzinic

Marina Grzinic, philosopher, artist and theoretician. Lives in Ljubljana. Works in Ljubljana and Vienna. Dr. Marina Grzinic is Professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna (Institute of Fine Arts, Post Conceptual Art Practices). Grzinic is a researcher at the Institute of Philosophy at the ZRC SAZU (Scientific and Research Center of the Slovenian Academy of Science and Art), Ljubljana, Slovenia. She also works as a freelance media theorist, art critic and curator. Marina Grzinic has been involved with video art since 1982. In collaboration with Aina Smid they produced numerous videos, a short film and video installations. http://www.grzinic-smid.si/

Dear Friends,

As the director of the Domari Society of Jerusalem, an organization taking care of Dom people, I would like to give you some insight about the realities of our life.

I am saddened to inform you about the plight of our Gypsy sisters and brothers in Gaza. They live together with Palestinian people, thus also becoming the victims of the conflict. Until now the people in Gaza Strip did not have an easy life, it was riddled with poverty, anxiety and lack of hope.

Recently, the situation is really miserable. We receive a lot of information and alarming signals from Dom families. Many Gypsies have already lost their lives, and many more have been left wounded. Those, who are left live in fear and despair, worrying about what is yet to come. The ones living in Gaza have often lost everything they had. It is heart breaking for us, also because our ethnic group, already small, is decimating. Watching our relatives suffer is not easy as well.

On the behalf of Gypsy community from the Holy Land, I would like to ask you to remember about us, and keep our troubles in your minds. The Gypsies should stand united and supportive of each other, in order to survive and protect our culture.

I do hope and believe something could be done, to make the life of Gaza Gypsies a bit better.

Let’s pray for peaceful times to come, as well as take action to make the world a better place.

We count on you and your support. It is important for us, that the people know the facts and mishaps we face.

May God bless you and keep you safe!

Amoun Sleem
Director,
Domari Society of Jerusalem
P.O.Box 51488, Jerusalem (Al Quds)

GSM: +972 54 206 62 10
Office: +972 2 532 45 10

E-mail: amoun_sleem@hotmail.com

URL: http://domarisociety.googlepages.com/

___________

For the ones who would like to assist the victims practically:

Bank account:

Domari Gypsy Organization of Israel
REG: 580350890
Mercantile Discount Bank ltd.
Sallah Eddin Branch no. 638, Jerusalem
Account No. 503878

Az Amaro Trajo „Életünk” Roma Kultúráért Alapítvány a Romani Divat Stúdióval együttműködve kreatív, készségfejlesztő képzést hirdet a roma kultúra és motívumok iránt érdeklődő kézügyességgel rendelkező fiatalok számára.

A képzés gyakorlati beállítottságú, célja, hogy a jelentkező fiatalok olyan divat termékek (ruhák, kiegészítők, ékszerek, használati tárgyak) tervezzenek az alkotóműhelyben a képzés időtartama alatt szakértők iránymutatásával és segítségével, amelyek hagyományos roma mesterségeken, illetve roma motívumokon, színvilágon alapulnak. A képzés egy vizsgamunka elkészítésével zárul.

A képzés része, hogy a fiatalok saját otthonukban, szűkebb, vagy tágabb környezetükben kutatómunkát folytassanak, egy-egy hagyományos roma motívumot, forma- vagy színvilágot magán hordozó tárgynak a képzésen való bemutatásával ötleteket merítsenek az általuk elkészített terv megalkotásához, és ezzel a többi részt vevőt is inspirálják. A képzés keretében lehetőség van a ruhatervezés, ékszertervezés, vagy lakberendezési tárgyak tervezésére irányuló foglalkozások látogatására. Egy tematikus képzés 6 alkalomból áll.

A képzésen elkészült vizsgamunkákat a Romani Divat Stúdió elkészíti, és a legjobb terveket egy nagyszabású divatbemutatón fogjuk felvonultatni ezév őszén, szeptember 21. napján az Iparművészeti Múzeumban. A divatbemutatón emellett bemutatásra kerülnek az Alapítvány által meghirdetett nyilvános pályázatra beérkezett tervek is (www.romanidesign.hu Design Pályázat menüpont).

A képzés helyszíne: 1074 Budapest, Dohány utca 76.

A képzésen való részvétel ingyenes.

A képzésre jelentkezni lehet: a jelentkezési lap elküldésével a kepzes@romanidesign.hu email címre és személyesen a 1072 Budapest, Akácfa utca 20. szám alatti üzletünkben a jelentkezési lap leadásával (a jelentkezési lap letölthető: www.romanidesign.hu  jelentkezési lap menüpont alatt)

Dear Friends,

I would like to bring your attention to new opportunities of the Managing Multiethnic Communities Program of the Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (Open Society Institute, Budapest). We invite you to follow the links provided to learn more and to access application materials. We would also appreciate your help circulating this information.

1. Incorporating Diversity into Public Administration Education: Topical Issues in Curriculum Development Workshop

Co-organized by MMCP/LGI, the Curriculum Resource Center (CRC) and Center for Policy Studies (CPS), Central European University, Budapest, Hungary

Date: 4-7 November 2008

Place: Budapest, Hungary

Deadline for Applications: 15 September 2008

http://lgi.osi.hu/documents.php?id=2068


2. Trainings of the Managing Multiethnic Communities Program


* Introductory Training for Policymakers: Ethnic Diversity and Public Service Delivery

Budapest, 3-8 November 2008

Deadline for Applications: 20 June 2008

http://lgi.osi.hu/documents.php?id=2078

* Training of Diversity Trainers: Basic Skills for Teaching Diversity Management

Budapest, 21-27 November 2008

Deadline for Applications: 20 June 2008

http://lgi.osi.hu/documents.php?id=2079

* 4th MMCP Diversity Management Training Jamboree

Budapest, 23-27 November 2008

Deadline for Applications: 20 June 2008

http://lgi.osi.hu/documents.php?id=2077

For more on all these activities, including application information, visit: http://lgi.osi.hu (see “events”).

For regular updates from MMCP/LGI, as well as news, current resources, and opportunities related to the management of diverse communities, subscribe to the Managing Multiethnic Communities Newsletter: http://lgi.osi.hu.

For registration assistance, write to lgiresearch@osi.hu.

We look forward to hearing from you, and best of luck!

Meghan Simpson

Research Associate
Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative
Open Society Institute
Budapest, Hungary
email: lgiresearch@osi.hu
web: http://lgi.osi.hu

By Marie-Francoise

Created 17/12/2010 UA: 256/10

Index: EUR 39/007/2010

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 31 DECEMBER 2010.

Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

The authorities in Cluj, a city in north-western Romania, are preparing to carry out the forced eviction of Roma communities living in Coastei and Cantonului streets by the end of December. Amnesty International is concerned that reportedly houses will be demolished, and some families will be moved to new housing units that do not meet the criteria of adequate housing while others may face homelessness.

On 15 December, families in Coastei street received oral notifications indicating that they have to remove their belongings by 17 December, when the municipality will move them to alternative housing. According to the municipality, there are an estimated 345 people living in Coastei street, including an estimated 140 people who do not have residency in Cluj, and who are at risk of being sent back to their place of residence, raising concerns over their right to freedom of movement.

The authorities have not consulted the affected community on the eviction plans in a full and participatory way. The Mayor announced that 40 families will be housed in new housing units constructed on the outskirt of the city in the Pata Rat area and that those who refuse to be moved will not be provided with alternative housing. This area, according to information received by Amnesty International, is in the proximity of a garbage dump and separated from the rest of the city and the residents will face difficulties in accessing work opportunities and public services, including education and health.

An estimated 429 people (around 100 families) residing in houses, improvised shacks and containers in Cantonului street are also likely to be evicted. The number of alternative housing units which is being proposed by the city authorities is limited and is expected to accommodate only 40 families, which raises serious concerns that a number of people may be made homeless if they are evicted.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English or your own language:

- Urging the city authorities to ensure that any evictions of the communities currently living in Coastei and Cantonului streets are carried out only as a last resort and in full compliance with international human rights standards;

- Urging them to ensure that the eviction is put on hold until genuine consultation with the Roma community of Coastei and Cantonului Streets to identify all feasible alternatives to evictions and on resettlement options has been conducted;

- Urging the city authorities to provide adequate alternative housing, compliant with requirements under human rights law and that people are not forcibly moved to their original places of residence and prevented from returning.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 31 DECEMBER 2010 TO: Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

Mayor of Cluj-Napoca

Sorin Apostu

Str. Motilor 5

Cluj-Napoca 400001,

Romania

Fax: +40 264 599 329

Email: sorinapostu@primariaclujnapoca.ro  



Copies to:



Prime Minister

Emil Boc

Guvernul Romaniei

Piata Victoriei nr. 1,

Sector 1, Bucuresti

Romania

Fax: +40 21 313 98 46

Email: drp@gov.ro  



President

Traian Basescu

Palatul Cotroceni,

Bulevardul Geniului nr. 1-3

Cod postal 060116

Sector 6 - Bucuresti

Romania

Fax : +40 21 410 38 58

Email: procetatean@presidency.ro  

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.

Ambassade de Roumanie

Rue Gabrielle 105

1180 Bruxelles

eMail: secretariat@roumanieamb.be  

Fax 02.346.23.45

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Amnesty International visited Cluj and the Roma communities living in Coastei and Cantonului streets in December 2010. The Roma communities were anxious about the threat of possible eviction. They told Amnesty International that – in the past several months - the city authorities had announced that they were to be evicted. The community in Coastei is situated about a five-minute walk from the city centre. The households receive mail to their address and at least some of them are connected to the electricity supply.

The city authorities confirmed - during a meeting with Amnesty International on 8 December 2010 - that they plan to move the families from Coastei Street to new housing units in Pata Rat area. According to the Deputy Mayor, construction of five units accommodating 20 families should be finished by 15 December. He stated that the future tenants would receive short-term rental contracts which may be extended. The municipality quoted multiple complaints from the staff of the nearby public library and an office of a multinational company in the proximity of the Coastei Street as the reasons for the eviction.

Under international law, evictions may be carried out only as a last resort, once all feasible alternatives have been explored in genuine consultation with the affected communities. The authorities then have a duty to provide them with adequate notice; legal remedies, adequate alternative housing and compensation. They must ensure that persons are not rendered homeless or vulnerable to the violation of other human rights as a consequence of eviction. According to international standards, evictions should not be carried out in particularly bad weather or at night and the authorities have a duty to provide those affected with adequate notice.

As a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Romania is also under an obligation to ensure to everyone lawfully residing within its territory the right to move freely and to choose his or her place of residence. Amnesty International is therefore concerned at the allegations that persons who are not originally from Cluj will be sent back to the places of their original residence, as this would violate their right to freedom of movement and to choose their place of residence.

Romania is a party to a range of international and regional human rights treaties which strictly require it to prohibit, refrain from and prevent forced evictions. These treaties include the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Covenant on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the Revised European Social Charter. The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has emphasised in its General Comment 7 that evictions may be carried out only as a last resort, once all other feasible alternatives to eviction have been explored. Even when an eviction is considered to be justified, it can only be carried out when appropriate procedural protections are in place and if compensation for all losses and adequate alternative housing is provided.

UA: 256/10 Index: EUR 39/007/2010 Isavelives.be: le site d'action de la section Amnesty International Belgique francophone - Rue Berckmans, 9 - 1060 Bruxelles. Tel: 02/538.81.77

Source URL: http://www.isavelives.be/en/node/6297

Your support urgently needed against exclusion of Roma from historic Sulukule!

One of the oldest Romani communities in the World, the Sulukule Romani population is being forced to leave their historical neighborhood.

The Sulukule neighborhood, situated in the Historic Peninsula of Istanbul is being depopulated through a gentrification project implemented by the Metropolitan and Fatih municipalities of Istanbul. As it stands, the project, promoted as an "urban renewal" is in its last phase. In February 2008 the demolishing of the houses will be started.

Despite the efforts of the local people, of the Sulukule Association for the Enrichment of Roma Culture and for Solidarity, of the academicians from several universities, and of the NGO’s, the project is developed by local authority under non-transparent conditions, without consulting the community and without considering their demands, needs and feedback.

The alleged "urban renewal project" is a reconstruction plan which involves the complete demolition of the current neighbourhood, home to more than 3000 Roma, and its replacement with housing which is unaffordable for most of the original inhabitants. The Roma will be forcibly moved from their 1000 year-old historical neighborhood to an area 40km outside the city. Moreover, as the municipality wants them to pay for the public housing they will receive, this forcible move is accompanied by a debt obligation that they will not be able to meet.

Because it will evict the Roma of their home, annihilate and assimilate the Roma culture in Istanbul, the project needs to be stopped. Your support is crucial to carry out this feat.

The 1000 year-old home of the Roma
The Roma first came to Istanbul from India in the 11th century when the city was still the capital of the Byzantine Empire. And they spread around the World from here. Following the conquest of the city by the Ottomans in 1453 and with the permıssıon of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, they were settled near the city walls in the Sulukule as well as in the nearby Ayvansaray neighborhoods. For hundreds of years, Sulukule acted as a pilgrimage location for Roma from all over the world. It is one of the most important cultural centers of Roma music and dance as it continues to be a crucial worldwide resource for training musicians and dancers.

Your support is needed for the cessation of the "urban renewal project"

Because;

The Sulukule urban renewal project is a non-transparent non-participatory project.

It is against the clauses of the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

It is implemented in the buffer zone of the ancient land walls of Istanbul, which are on the World Heritage list. As such, it fails to abide by the principles of the Vienna Memorandum and the Convention regarding the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

To help prevent the forced exile of the Sulukule Roma,
To protect the historical and cultural values of Istanbul, which are on the World Heritage List,

Please express your objection to this project by writing to the following officials,

Abdullah Gül
President of Turkey
Mail Address:
T.C. Cumhurbaskanligi
Cankaya-Ankara
Turkey
e-mail: cumhurbaskanligi@tccb.gov.tr

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
The Prime Minister of Turkey
Mail Address:
Basbakanlik
Kızılay
Ankara
Turkey

Ertuğrul Günay
Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey

Mail Address:
T.C. Kultur ve Turizm Bakanligi
Ataturk Bulvari No. 29
06050 Opera
Ankara
Turkey
e-mail: ertugrul.gunay@kulturturizm.gov.tr

Kadir Topbas
Mayor of Istanbul
Mail Address:
Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediye Baskanligi
Sarachane
Istanbul
Turkey
e-mail: baskan@ibb.gov.tr

Mustafa Demir
Mayor of the Fatih district of Istanbul

Mail Address:
Büyük Karaman Cad.
No. 53
Fatih
Istanbul
e-mail: mustafademir@fatih.bel.tr

Contact Persons:
Hacer Foggo (hacerfoggo@gmail.com)
Derya Nüket Özer (deryanuket@gmail.com)
Viki Ciprut Izrail ( vikichco.@hotmail.com )

Italy, February 18th, 2010

ITALY, TWO HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS FROM EVERYONE GROUP RECEIVE A PENAL ORDER (A CRIMINAL CONVICTION WITHOUT GOING TO TRIAL) FOR THEIR HUMANITARIAN WORK: "IT IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE WORLD "

THE NEWS GIVEN BY THE HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION: "A CONVICTION BASED ON INACCURATE EVIDENCE GIVEN BY A POLICE OFFICER. IT IS THE UMPTEENTH EPISODE OF ABUSE OF POWER BY THE ITALIAN AUTHORITIES "

EVERYONE GROUP APPEALS TO THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION AND THE FRONTLINE FOUNDATION: "WE ARE ASKING FOR SUPPORT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, VICTIMS IN ITALY OF VIOLENCE, INTIMIDATION AND JUDICIARY ABUSE OF POWER, A WORSE SITUATION THAN IN TOTALITARIAN REGIMES WHERE THE INDIVIDUAL IS AT LEAST GUARANTEED THE RIGHT TO DEFEND HIMSELF

On February 12th, 2010, Roberto Malini and Dario Picciau, co-presidents with Matteo Pegoraro of EveryOne Group, international human rights organization based in Italy, received notification of a penal order, with the prison sentence commuted into a heavy fine. In the decree, issued on 5/11/09 by the Pesaro Justice Court - Office of the Magistrate for Preliminary Investigations – condemns the activists for the offence punishable by art. 110, 340 of the Italian Criminal Code, because on December 20th, 2008 "in complicity with each other, they caused the interruption, or at least disturbed a police operation aimed at identifying three foreign citizens, and used abusive and disparaging language towards the officers from Pesaro-Urbino Police Headquarters, and interfered in the carrying out of their duty. "

"It is the umpteenth episode of abuse from the authorities (and in particular from the Police Headquarters) we have been subjected to in Pesaro and in Italy " say the co-presidents of the Group. "Throughout 2008 and in the early months of 2009 we were repeatedly summoned to police headquarters because of our humanitarian work in defence of the Roma community living in our Country ".

After the protests of our Organization for the endless camp clearances of Roma families (without any offer of assistance) and after our protests over the illegitimate expulsion of a group of Afghan refugees who had applied for asylum, the Pesaro Police Commissioner issued Roberto Malini a verbal warning on the following grounds: "Seeing the Roma are notorious criminals, I consider EveryOne Group part of a criminal organization and I invite it to cease its activity ". Following this warning, the activists of EveryOne Group were subjected to various episodes of intimidation and provocation, while the brutal operations aimed at driving the Roma out of the city continued. The attitude of the Police Commissioner and the anti-Roma programme carried out by the Pesaro authorities have been the subject of various Parliamentary questions, leading to the transfer of the Police Commissioner to a different detachment.

Following the camp clearance (in mid winter) of the last Roma families to take refuge in Pesaro, EveryOne Group filed a complaint to the Public Prosecutor's Office at the same Pesaro Justice Court - reporting both the violation of human rights and the open hostility shown towards human rights defenders.

"We were expecting the Prosecutor's Office to investigate the abuse committed by the local authorities towards the Roma community ", say Malini, Pegoraro and Picciau, "actions that have led to several deaths (due to the hardship suffered by seriously ill people, who were suddenly left without a shelter over their heads), miscarriages (due to the stress and fear experienced by the pregnant women faced with so many armed police officers) and serious humanitarian emergencies.

Instead, the same authorities made use of a legal instrument that exists only in Italy, an instrument that violates article 24 of the Italian Constitution. We are talking about a conviction without a trial, yet another intimidatory tool used against human rights defenders which allows an untrue statement made by a police officer to become law without the accused being given the opportunity to contradict him.

We are aware that there is a danger of falling into a legal ‘black hole’, but we have decided to oppose the sentence and we will continue to oppose it on all levels, even if this means taking the case before the European Court of Human Rights. It is a fundamental principle of civility and democracy which does not only concern this episode, but international activism as whole, and the endless obstacles and dangers involved in defending the lives and the dignity of our most vulnerable citizens ".

As for the case in question, Roberto Malini and Dario Picciau say "on the evening of December 20th, 2008 a police officer was talking in an arrogant manner to a young Roma man, while his colleague waited in the patrol car in front of the bar to be served with sandwiches and drinks. We greeted the young man, Nico Grancea, who we knew very well seeing we had been offering him assistance for over year. In answer, we received from the first officer a brusque and threatening invitation to show some identification. We have had dealings with the police force for years and therefore have sufficient experience to know not to rise to the bait. The police officer took down our details without issuing any notification. The magistrates investigating the case did not listen to what the owner of the bar, Mr. Grancea, or the EveryOne activists had to say. The Pesaro investigating magistrate then decided for "a conviction without a trial ".

"Through our appeal and the relevant procedures for defending our humanitarian work" says EveryOne Group,"we intend to bring the case to the attention of the authorities in charge of protecting human rights defenders, in order for them to establish efficient organisms that defend the work of activists who are forced to operate in extremely difficult conditions ".

On February 14th, 2010 Malini and Picciau's case was brought up by the co-president of EveryOne, Matteo Pegoraro, in Dublin, during the 5th Frontline Platform for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, which EveryOne Group (the only European organization) had been invited to attend along with 99 other human rights defenders from all over the world – activists who have received several threats during the course of their human rights activities. "We are appealing to the Frontline Foundation (which protects human rights activists all over the world in cooperation with the United Nations and European institutions) to take up our case. We hope too that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, - always very alert to episodes of this kind - to immediately intervene against this judiciary abuse, which has no precedent in European activism. We will fight " says Pegoraro, "to ensure that these two human rights defenders – who have been involved for many years in difficult campaigns in defence of minority groups – are not subjected to this violation, even more so if we consider that as co-presidents of EveryOne, they were operating in Pesaro and on Italian territory on behalf of the European MP, Viktoria Mohacsi with the precise aim of investigating the behaviour of the authorities towards the Roma people in Italy.

On behalf of our group, we invite civil society, the politicians who are more alert to matters of fundamental rights, the human and civil rights associations and organizations and the European and international institutions and authorites, to express their criticism of an action that goes against all the charters on the human rights of the individual – as well as violating the international laws on the protection and freedom of action and movement of human rights defenders ".

For further information:

EveryOne Group

+39 393 4010237 :: +39 334 3449180 :: +39 331 3585406

www.everyonegroup.com :: info@everyonegroup.com

Dear Friends, We, the Roma Community Centre, would like to draw your immediate attention to the impending planned demolition of the houses of four Romani families in Vilnius, Lithuania. The situation is especially urgent in the light of the extreme weather conditions and the fact that all of the families have children under 12 years of age.

On 27th January 2012 four Romani families, residing in the informal settlement of Kirtimai on the outskirts of Vilnius, Lithuania, received notifications that their houses are to be demolished at 8.00 am on 13th February 2012. The decisions are based on the conclusions of the Vilnius District Courts between the years 2010 and 2011 as regards the illegality of the buildings.

As the court decisions were taken among several cases almost two years ago, the motivation to carry them out now in February, which is usually the coldest month, is unclear. Out of the 10 people in the three houses concerned, there are seven children under 12 years of age, including a six-month-old infant. The temperature in Lithuania in the current period reaches -30 degrees. The local authorities are not providing any alternative housing solution for the families facing eviction.

Unfortunately, this event contradicts the effort of Lithuanian authorities to close the gap between the Roma minority and the majority of the population, as was stated, when committing to submit the National Roma Integration Strategy under the framework of the European Commission.

Furthermore, the planned evictions violate numerous human rights provisions, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

We would like to bring the attention of the international community to this precarious situation and ask them to support us in demanding:

1. suspension of the eviction until suitable weather conditions

2. provision of alternative housing to the Roma families Thank you for your attention.

Kind regards,

Roma Community Centre

For more information please contact: Ana Rozanova

Email: ana.rozanova@gmail.com Website: www.roma.lt

The Roma residents of İstanbul's Sulukule neighborhood, who now have to empty their houses after losing a legal battle earlier this year to save their quarter from the local municipality's urban renovation project, are making their voices heard on the other side of the world thanks to a new song by the US gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello.

The New York-based multi-ethnic gypsy punk band, best known for its theatrical stage performances, is lending moral support to the residents of Sulukule through the song “Educate Thy Neighbor,” the Anatolia news agency reported on Friday. The group performed “Educate Thy Neighbor” during appearances across the United States throughout the summer as part of their US tour, which wrapped up earlier this month with a concert at the All Points West Festival in New Jersey. “Educate Thy Neighbor” will also be featured on the band's upcoming studio album, set for release next month, Anatolia reported.

Gogol Bordello frontman Eugene Hütz was inspired to write “Educate Thy Neighbor” during a visit to İstanbul last summer, during which the band's members also visited the neighborhood, billed on the band's Web site as “the oldest Roma settlement in the world.” Through their Web site, http://gogolbordello.com, the band is also lending support to alternative civil society projects to save the area from being demolished.

Part of the lyrics of the song read: “Streets of Sulukule / Are down, down, down / Urban progress bullies / Try to steal its crown / Till first note a-ripples / And street beats erupts / Now you see who's heart and soul / Is bankrupt … Educate thy neighbor / Bout the urban plot / To pave over culture / For new parking lot.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO7cwm98vB8

ERRC wishes to announce the vacancy of the post of ERRC Legal Administrator. Below you will find all the relevant information for applying for the post.

Please go to http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=2765 to access the ERRC application documents. You can search our website for information about the work of ERRC at www.errc.org.

The criteria we use for short-listing is set out in the person specification and follow on from the job description tasks. Please take time to read the guidance notes on how to fill out your application. It is important that your application shows how you meet ALL points mentioned in the person specification. If you do not meet all of the criteria or do not have experience on some of the points listed, please state how you would aim to accomplish the work.

Closing date for applications: 18 June (8:00 am Budapest time)
Interview date: Provisionally planned for 9 July 2007 in Budapest

You are kindly asked to send your application (letter of interest, application form and the equal opportunities form; the latter is not obligatory) preferably by e-mail to dora.eke@errc.org. Applications in other formats than outlined in the guidance notes will not be considered. Please ensure your e-mail has been received by requesting confirmation.

ERRC offers a competitive salary and benefits package based on experience which is subject to negotiations.

We kindly ask you not to call for information before you are invited for an interview.

We wish you every success with your application and thank you for your interest in ERRC.

European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)

Salary £26,810 (pro rata for part time staff)

Amnesty International is looking for two campaigners to work at the International Secretariat to lead its campaigning work on the Western Balkans. Amnesty International is recruiting one full time position (1 year fixed term contract) and one part time permanent position.

You will lead on the development and implementation of specific campaigning strategies and actions to mobilize the organization's worldwide membership to campaign effectively against human rights violations in the region. You will act as a focal point to provide advice to Amnesty International’s membership on actions and develop campaigning materials. You will need proven campaigning experience, first hand working experience or knowledge of the Western Balkans, proven knowledge of human rights as well as political judgement. You will also need to have effective writing and communication skills and an understanding of membership organizations. You must have an excellent ability to speak, read, write and understand English. Ability to understand and read Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian is essential; knowledge of Albanian and/or Macedonian and/or Slovenian and/or a relevant Romani language is desirable.

If you are interested in applying for the above role please visit the website at www.amnesty.org/jobs

ERRC wishes to announce the vacancy of the new postition of EU Officer

Below you will find all the relevant information for applying for the post.

Documents include the:

- Job description
- Person specification
- Guidance notes for applicants
- Application form
- Equal opportunities form
- Recruitment feedback form

Please go to www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=2939 to access the ERRC application documents. You can search our website for information about the work of ERRC at www.errc.org.

The criteria we use for short-listing is set out in the person specification and follow on from the job description tasks. Please take time to read the guidance notes on how to fill out your application. It is important that your application shows how you meet ALL points mentioned in the person specification. If you do not meet all of the criteria or do not have experience on some of the points listed, please state how you would aim to accomplish the work.

Closing date for applications: 31 March 2008 (8.00 am Budapest time)

Interview date: Provisionally planned for 21 April 2008 in Budapest

You are kindly asked to send your application (cover letter, application form, paper and the equal opportunities form; the latter is not obligatory) preferably by e-mail to judit.geller@errc.org. Applications in other formats than outlined in the guidance notes will not be considered. Please ensure your e-mail has been received by requesting confirmation.

ERRC offers a competitive salary and benefits package based on experience.

We kindly ask you not to call for information before you are invited for an interview.

We wish you every success with your application and thank you for your interest in ERRC.

European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)

ERRC wishes to announce the vacancy of the post of ERRC Executive Assistant. Below you will find all the relevant information for applying for the post.

Documents include the:

Job description
Person specification
Guidance notes for applicants
Application form
Equal opportunities form
Recruitment feedback form
Please follow the link to access the ERRC application documents: http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=2855. You can search our website for information about the work of ERRC at www.errc.org.

The criteria we use for short-listing is set out in the person specification and follow on from the job description tasks. Please take time to read the guidance notes on how to fill out your application. It is important that your application shows how you meet ALL points mentioned in the person specification. If you do not meet all of the criteria or do not have experience on some of the points listed, please state how you would aim to accomplish the work.

Closing date for applications: 8 October (8.00 am Budapest time)

Interview date: Provisionally planned for 22 October 2007 in Budapest

You are kindly asked to send your application (letter of interest, application form; and the equal opportunities form; the latter is not obligatory) preferably by e-mail to patricia.devenyi@errc.org. Applications in other formats than outlined in the guidance notes will not be considered. Please ensure your e-mail has been received by requesting confirmation.

ERRC offers a competitive salary and benefits package based on experience which is subject to negotiations.

We kindly ask you not to call for information before you are invited for an interview.

We wish you every success with your application and thank you for your interest in ERRC.

European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) is an international public interest law organization defending and promoting the human rights of Roma. The ERRC pursues its goals through strategic litigation, international advocacy, research and policy development, and training. Established in 1996 and based in Budapest, the ERRC has an international Board of Directors, employs approximately 20 staff, as well as consultants and interns, and has an annual budget of over US$ 2.4 million. For more information, see the ERRC website: http://www.errc.org

Post Title: Financial Officer (reporting and projects)

Reports to: Operations Director

Annual gross salary: contracted in € (paid in HUF) plus benefits

Purpose of the post:
The Financial Officer prepares key financial reporting documents and for projects handles all financial matters related to projects (including project budget proposals, project expenditure monitoring, project partners financial team coordination, project financial reporting, project cash flow monitoring, project financial forecasts to ensure a smooth financial process in this regard). S/he supports financial reporting towards management and prepares monthly financial overviews, assist the financial team in budget development and core finances by ensuring timely coding of expenditure items and providing feedback to ERRC accountant. S/he ensures compliance with project donor conditions and Hungarian financial regulations.

Areas of Responsibility:

General Tasks include:

- Preparing event related and annual budgets as well as overviews of sub-budgets as required on a monthly, quarterly and/or annual basis
- Preparing financial reports to donors
- Coding all ERRC expenditure items as per the General ledger and ERRC budget ledger numbers and coordinating with ERRC accountant the developments/changes of the GL
- Monitoring and providing budget/expenditure developments to the Operations Director and other Senior Staff
- Providing departmental detailed and itemised expenditure overviews on a monthly basis to heads of departments
- Supporting the Operations Director in the preparation of overviews of staff related costs within the core and project related budgets
- Ensuring financial reporting on external contracts as well as reviewing those contracts with external partners
- Assisting the Operations Director in developing budgets
- Supporting the Operations Director in the preparation of financial reports to the ERRC Board
- Providing suggestions for systematising and harmonising financial reporting
- Taking over tasks of Financial Officer/Cashier at times of his/her absence

Project related tasks include:

- Preparing project budgets as well as overviews of sub-budgets as required in close cooperation with Project Manager and/or Operations Director
- Setting up and utilizing monitoring tools and assisting in the supervision of spending of project budgets
- Controlling and assessing project expenditure against budgets
- Coding project related costs against project cost ledgers
- Monitoring and controlling project related bookkeeping and regularly providing feedback to ERRC accountant
- Ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting on projects run by ERRC
- Providing project reports for auditing procedures and liaise with auditors as required
- Extracting and copying financial receipts with the support of the Administrative Assistant/Librarian
- Preparing quarterly overall projects’ expenditure analysis
- Ensuring that ERRC partners fulfil donor requirements in their financial reporting
- Supporting the Project Manager as required with financial information
- Maintaining regular communication with project partners concerning finances
- Other tasks as assigned by the Operations Director

Essential and desirable requirements for the post are outlined in the person specification and need to be read in conjunction with the tasks listed above. Knowledge of SUN system and/or controller/EU project management experience is an advantage.

Please send applications and motivation letter via e-mail to the attention of Ms. Hajnalka Németh to Hajnalka.nemeth@errc.hu or via fax to +36-1-413-2201.

For more information, see http://www.errc.org

Application deadline: Monday, January 19, 2009

ERRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ERRC wishes to announce the vacancy of the post of ERRC Programme Director

To access the ERRC application documents and relevant information for applying for the post, please follow this link: http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=2742. You can search our website for information about the work of ERRC at http://www.errc.org.

Closing date for applications: 29 May (8.00 am Budapest time)
Interview date: Provisionally planned for 2 July 2007 in Budapest

You are kindly asked to send your application (letter of interest, application form, paper and the equal opportunities form; the latter is not obligatory) preferably by e-mail to dora.eke@errc.org. Applications in other formats than outlined in the guidance notes will not be considered. Please ensure your e-mail has been received by requesting confirmation.

ERRC offers a competitive salary and benefits package based on experience, which is subject to negotiations.

We kindly ask you not to call for information before you are invited for an interview.

We wish you every success with your application and thank you for your interest in ERRC.

European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)

http://www.minorityrights.org/7323/employment-opportunities-amp-internships/europe-and-central-asia-programmes-officer--budapest.html

This is initially a one-year post with strong possibility for extension, full time, based in MRG’s Budapest Office. We are looking for a Programmes Officer to work on the implementation of a number of programmes around minority rights protection in Europe, the South Caucasus and possibly Central Asia.

The potential successful applicant will be educated to degree level and have good knowledge of human and minority rights instruments and mechanisms and international development policy, as well as some experience of working on or in the region. Applicant will have at least one year’s experience of working in the field of human rights or development as well as strong administration skills.

The application pack can be downloaded below.

Download

Job description & person specification (Word .doc)
http://www.minorityrights.org/download.php?id=541

Application form (Word .doc)
http://www.minorityrights.org/download.php?id=542

Information for job applicants (pdf)
http://www.minorityrights.org/download.php?id=543

Equal opportunities form (pdf)
http://www.minorityrights.org/download.php?id=544

Closing date for completed applications: Sunday, 2nd November 2008

Please email your application to Ildiko Magyar at ildiko.magyar@mrgmail.org

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews on the week beginning with 10th November in Budapest

The Roma Education Fund (REF), which supports quality education for Roma children, seeks a country facilitator to provide support to requesting and implementing organizations for REF financed projects and to help in the coordination of REF country program for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. The successful candidate is expected, for an initial period of up to 4 months to be assigned and provide support to REF's portfolio in Serbia and Montenegro too.

The candidate should possess the following:

-Speak fluent Serbo-Croatian, and have a very good command of English language (written and spoken). Being a Romani speaker is a strong advantage;
-A university degree;
-Experience in issues of education;
-Excellent organization, administration and communication skills;
-Experience in implementing and evaluating projects;
-Good knowledge of issues related to Roma education and of the NGO sector in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Similar knowledge of Montenegro and Serbia will be a strong advantage.
- Be reliable, accurate with a proven ability to work in team but also ready to work on its own initiative.

What will the job provide:

- Challenging and diverse tasks;
-Work with a dynamic team of NGO and -Government officials;
-Competitive salary;
-Work and learn at the international level;
-The staff will benefit from training in country and in REF head office in Budapest;

Candidates from all the former Yugoslav Republics are encouraged to apply for this position. The successful candidate will be expected to live in one of the countries in which he/she works and to travel frequently within the countries for which he/she is responsible.

A copy of the full terms of reference for this position can be obtained from www.romaeducationfund.org:

CV and motivation letter in English (including a proposal for wage level), should be forwarded to:

sainov@romaeducationfund.org

The deadline for applications is: November 20, 2008