ERIO NEWS AND ACTIVITIES
* ERIO at the High Level Event on Non-Discrimination and
Equality in Rome, Italy
On November 7th ERIOs Executive Director Ivan Ivanov participated in the High Level Event on Non-Discrimination and Equality in Rome. The event was organized by The Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission. The main objective of the event was to stress the importance of Equality policies in the European Union. High Level Representatives of governments from the EU Member States and key stakeholders working on Equality issues were invited to discuss and identify current challenges and future paths to make Equality a reality for all. In his presentation Mr. Ivanov highlighted the need of cultural change for equality and diversity and combating stereotypes. He also stated that it is widely agreed that in order to make sustainable progress in improving the situation of Roma, it is necessary to take action to combat the dramatic levels of anti-Gypsyism across Europe in all segments of the European societies which is also continuously fuelled by the media and anti-Roma rhetoric of politicians and public officials. Racist stereotypes too often serve to justify ongoing and past discrimination and inspire its continuation. Anti-Gypsyism also serves to obstruct the implementation of measures aimed at improving the situation of Roma. For example measures developed at national level often remain empty promises with local officials taking no action to implement these measures fearing the political costs of challenging the anti-Gypsy attitudes of local populations.
* Roma Demonstration in Rome
On November 6th a group of 20 Roma activists organized a
demonstration in front of the building where the High Level Event on Non-Discrimination
and Equality was taking place. The group comprised activists from Romania,
Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Italy and France. The activists demonstrated
against European institutions for not allowing them to participate in the
meetings of the European Commission. On the morning of the event, the EC held a
meeting with the National Contact Points, the people responsible for the
coordination and implementation of the National Roma Integration Strategies. In
the afternoon a High Level Event on non-discrimination and equality was
organized by the Italian EU Presidency and the EC. Representatives of the
European Commission and the Italian institutions met with the Roma activist to
discuss the issue. Roma were told that the meeting with the national contact points
is a closed meeting and that the high level event is not for Roma. However,
several Roma representatives were invited to participate in the event. Roma
expressed their concerns that their voice is not being heard, that they are
tired of listening to empty promises and that immediate action is needed
to change the Roma situation in Europe.
Ms. Lina Papamichalopoulou, the Head of the non-discrimination and Roma
coordination unit of DG Justice in the European Commission stated that all
suggestions and recommendations of the Roma group will be taken into
consideration and that they all are welcome to share their concerns and ideas
at the European Roma Platform meeting with will take place in March 2015.
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