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

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