ERIO Press release: ECRI Reports on Armenia, Turkey and the United Kingdom

ECRI Reports on Armenia, Turkey and the United Kingdom

The European Roma Information Office (ERIO) welcomes the latest reports of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) on Armenia, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Reports on the UK and Turkey include analyses of recent developments in legislation targeted at Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities (GRTs), highlighting ongoing issues and providing recommendations to authorities. The reports take into account developments up to 17 March 2017.

ECRI’s report on the UK highlights the ongoing lack of an explicit national integration strategy targeted at GRTs, despite the disadvantages these communities continue to face. The UK Government insists on addressing GRT integration within the framework of wider social inclusion policies.

ECRI highlights the lack of adequate site provision as a particularly pressing issue for Gypsies and Travellers in the UK. The report criticises recent legislation for reducing the provision and quality of authorised pitches accommodating the needs of Gypsies and Travellers, forcing many into unauthorised encampments from which they are frequently subject to forced evictions. ECRI recommends that authorities “draw up, in consultation with Gypsy, Traveller and Roma groups, a detailed programme of integration strategies and measures” to address disadvantages suffered across the UK. These should include “concrete targets, timeframes, and resources,” cover a broad range of policy areas, and prioritise addressing the shortage of caravan sites.

The ECRI report on Turkey focuses on the recent launch of a national strategy for Roma, the National Strategy Document for Roma Citizens (for the period 2016-2021) which was adopted on 26 April 2016.

The urge for affirmative action on Roma inclusion is exemplified by ECRI documentation of multiple examples of mob attacks, police prejudice, and political and media hate speech against Roma. Roma are frequently mentioned as sufferers of “structural discrimination” in housing, school enrolment, formal employment and general access to public services. As such, ECRI “welcomes” the completion of a national Roma strategy. The report notes the involvement of Roma civil society in the process of formulating this strategy, as well as a plan to establish strong indicator-based monitoring platforms. The report notes several examples of “good practice” in Roma inclusion initiatives, as well as an “increasing empowerment of Roma” evidenced by the establishment of several hundred new associations and the election of a Roma MP to national parliament. The ECRI’s main recommendation concerns the swift implementation of the Strategy Document, with particular focus on “the proper budgeting, target setting and monitoring of all the activities of the action plans forming part of the strategy’s implementation.” It insists on the participation of Roma representatives in all stages of the strategy’s implementation.

Best regards,

ERIO team