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.

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 

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

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/.

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.

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

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.

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/

"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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Jerusalem, 10th January 2009

Dear Friends,

After our letter informing about the situation in Gaza we received many voices of support and willingness to help. I would like to ask you to support our action, and make lives of Gypsies in the Holy Land easier.

Our organization would like to provide the most needy members of Domari community from the West Bank, but also Gaza with food boxes. Lack of food and poverty are one of the biggest problems for our society, and they require an immediate solution. As many as 1000 families need our help, and the estimated cost of one box amounts 200 NIS (equal to 40 Euro or 50 USD). Each box will contain rice, sugar, tea, milk, flour, vegetable cans and other necessary items. For traditionally big Gypsy families (often having as many as 6 children) that kind of help will be of big significance.

We also are in touch with charitable organizations who are able to transport food, clothes or blankets to Gypsy families in the Gaza Strip.

Your contribution can be sent via PayPal to Mr Valery Novoselsky, founder of Roma Virtual Network, our brother and supporter.

PayPal account: nov_val@zahav.net.il

We will be extremely thankful for any kind of help given to us in these difficult times. Let’s do not give up hope of witnessing peaceful days, in the same time working for making our today better.

May God bless you all

Amoun Sleem

Director
Domari Society of Jerusalem
P.O. 51488 Jerusalem (Al Quds)
GSM: +972 (0)54 2066210

Terms of Reference -- Financial Assistant

Background:

The Roma Education Fund (REF), founded in 2005, is a non-profit organization promoting the access of Roma children to quality education in fourteen countries of Europe. It provides grants, technical assistance and policy advice to governments and civil society organizations. The REF Office is located in Budapest, Hungary, with sixteen staff. In addition, five Country Facilitators and a Policy Development Advisors are working for REF in different partner countries.

Objective:

The REF is seeking a Financial Assistant to its office in Budapest, Hungary. The Financial Assistant will work closely with the Financial and Administrative Manager of REF and thus, provide support to the operation of the office.

The Finance Assistant will work full time, according to the terms of his/her employment contract, which includes a three-month probation period as per the Hungarian Labor Law.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

His/her responsibilities will include, but be not necessarily limited to, the following activities:

1. Office Financial Management, including

- paying bills,

- managing petty cash,

- preparing documents necessary for bookkeeping and accounting,

- maintaining contact with accountants and service providers,

- assisting in human resource management issues, including preparation of monthly payroll information for the accountants,

- assisting to develop the internal financial system (manuals, expenses coding),

- preparing contracts for REF suppliers and other partners

- tracking and updating the cash flow management.

2. Projects/Grants Financial Management, including

- assisting in contracting approved grants and releasing disbursements,

- assisting in preparing periodic management reports on finances, expenditures and budget,

- keeping track of project financial management documents to be received from the beneficiaries,

- liaising with the beneficiaries as necessary,

- taking part on financial monitoring of REF projects to check the proper usage if the REF funds based on the REF financial requirements and providing capacity building for the beneficiaries related to finance and administration operation

3. General Office related matters, including

- managing supplies and services for the operation of the office,

- taking charge of maintenance and repair of the office facilities, including the rented office, furniture and office technology equipment

- making regular quotations to reach the best deals among REF existing and possible suppliers.

Required Qualifications:

- BA or MA degree in Finances, Accounting or similar fields.

- Minimum of three years of experience working in any of these or related fields.

- Fluency in English and good English writing skills.

- Fluency in Hungarian, both written and oral.

- Good analytical skills and attention to details.

- Ability to work in a multinational team, under pressure, large number of tasks and meeting tight deadlines

- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office programs

- Knowledge and experience in capacity building with external clients

- Familiarity with the Decade of Roma Inclusion and working with Roma NGOs would be advantage

Starting Date:

March 1, 2009.

Reporting:

The Finance Assistant will work in close collaboration with the Financial and Administrative Manager; therefore, he/she will report to the Financial and Administrative Manager directly.

Application Deadline:

February 1, 2009.

Applications, consisting of a CV and a Motivation Letter with wage level welcome, should be sent to the following email address: jzsiga@romaeducationfund.org, to the attention of Mr. Jeno Zsiga.

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

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.

Prof. Wladyslaw Bartoszewski is the bearer of the European Civil Rights Prize of the Sinti and Roma to be conferred for the first time on 18 December 2008 in Berlin. Bartoszewski, former Polish foreign minister and presently Undersecretary of State and Plenipotentiary of the Polish Prime Minister for International Dialogue, was chosen to receive the award for his exemplary commitment to the recognition and equality of the Sinti and Roma Holocaust victims, which he couples with a tireless support of human dignity and the protection of threatened minorities, especially the 12 million Sinti and Roma, in present day Europe.

In their reasons the jury stated, among other things: “Against the background of his personal experience with the death machinery of the National Socialists Wladyslaw Bartoszewski devoted himself after World War II to the fight against racism and for equality of minorities. In his written works and at numerous public appearances he expressed, already at an early stage, that just as the Jews, Sinti and Roma had been victims of the systematic extermination policy to which 500,000 members of the minority had fallen victim in occupied Europe. On numerous occasions and in just as forceful a manner, he pointed to the decade-long suppression of the National-Socialist genocide on Sinti and Roma from the historical memory of the European nations.

As a politically responsible person, Wladyslaw Bartoszewski had again and again followed up this basic understanding with deeds. For example, he energetically engaged himself in establishing Sinti and Roma self-organisations in Poland and at the same time also supported the work of the German Sinti and Roma Documentation and Cultural Center since its foundation in 1997 in a dedicated manner.

His engagement in setting up the permanent exhibition on the NS genocide on Sinti and Roma in the former block 13 in the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum was of particular significance for the national minorities of Sinti and Roma in their respective home countries. He was also an important sponsor and provider of ideas in the realisation of further memorial locations for the benefit of Sinti and Roma in Poland.”

The international award in the value of Euro 15,000.- is to contribute to the safeguarding of human rights and the equal chances of Sinti and Roma minorities in their respective home countries in Europe. The award is presented to individuals, groups or institutions who/which engaged in an improvement of the human rights situation of Sinti and Roma. This also includes exertion of political influence and public activities against discriminating practices and contributions in the media, at functions/events and on other occasions, who/which devote themselves to respecting the minority as an equally valued part of society or who/which put up a fight against any forms of discrimination and stigmatisation. At the same time, the award is meant to be a signal to politically responsible authorities, media and social groups in Europe, to take actions against outdated stereotypes, prejudicial structures and against any form of exclusion.

The formal award presentation ceremony will take place in the German Foreign Office in Berlin on 18 December 2008 (11 a.m.). Please find further information about the price and about the award ceremony at: www.buergerrechtspreis.de.

Zentralrat Deutscher Sinti und Roma
Central Council of German Sinti and Roma
Bremeneckgasse 2
D-69117 Heidelberg/Germany

Tel.: 0049 6221 98 11 02
Fax.: 0049 6221 98 11 77
E-mail: info@sintiundroma.de
Internet: www.sintiundroma.de

London, 10 December 2008

As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 60 this Wednesday, international think-tank The Equal Rights Trust (ERT) is warning that, in a global recession, governments worldwide must put equality at the centre of human rights legislation or risk creating more marginalised ‘sub-human’ peoples, such as the Roma in Europe and lower castes in South Asia.

Praising the UK’s ‘forward-thinking’ Equality Bill for its positive duty to acknowledge and address differences between people, ERT says that the ideals of the UN Declaration, launched during severe repression and economic hardship, will never become a reality unless equality is defined and implemented as a basic human right.

Executive Director of ERT and leading equal rights expert, Dimitrina Petrova, said:

“60 years on, we cannot let the hardships of recession blur a vision of a fairer society. Across the world, anti-discrimination law puts individuals into rigid boxes, serving to reinforce stereotypes rather than breaking them down. We are urging a wiser and fairer international and national law that recognises difference and says that human rights are only possible when we have equality.”

To mark the anniversary of the UN Declaration, ERT has launched a global campaign, ‘Vote for Equality’ which seeks mass support for new equality and human rights principles to ensure groups around the world are not victimised, excluded and denied equality.

The campaign is seeking one million pledges of support for The Declaration on the Principles of Equality, drawn up by leading human rights lawyers and equality experts, in a bid to get governments to endorse 27 principles which:

• Define equality as a basic human right: Stating that equality should be seen as a human right in itself.

• Promote ‘Positive Action’: Departing from the concept of ‘formal equality’ stating that differences must be recognised for everyone to be treated equally.

• Ensure consistency and fairness: Ensuring all nations respect the right to equality and recognise and address inequalities in their society.

Dimitrina Petrova added:

“The ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are more important today than ever. Ronald Dworkin, a signatory to the Principles, once said equality is a threatened species amongst political ideals, but I would take this further and say it is an endangered species among human rights. We need governments to take action, especially at this time, to ensure that the huge and increasing numbers of marginalised groups such as the Roma in Europe and lower castes in South Asia have a legal right to equality.

Only then will we be able to realise the ideals set down by the UN 60 years ago today.”

http://www.equalrightstrust.org/campaign/index.htm

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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