The Congress published in 2019 "Human rights handbook for local and regional authorities". One of its three chapters aims to fighting discrimination against the Roma and Travellers. Some of the issues addressed in the Handbook are presented below. To view the whole content, download the Handbook in PDF format.

 Download : Human Rights Handbook Vol. I (Pdf)

Definitions

Europe is home to 10–12 million Roma and Travellers. They comprise the largest set of minority groups in Europe, yet many of us are unable to answer the basic question: Who are the Roma? The term “Roma and Travellers” encompasses on the one hand the wide diversity of the groups:

  • a) Roma, Sinti/Manush, Calé, Kaale, Romanichals, Boyash/Rudari;
  • b) Balkan Egyptians (Egyptians and Ashkali)
  • c) Eastern groups (Dom, Lom and Abdal);

and, on the other hand, groups such as Travellers, Yenish, and the populations designated under the administrative term “Gens du voyage”, as well as persons who identify themselves as Gypsies.

What are their rights?

In simple terms, Roma do enjoy the same rights as everyone else in your town, city or region. In practice, however, the implementation of this is not as simple as it may seem, as Roma are more vulnerable to exploitation, marginalisation and stigmatisation than other citizens. Furthermore, in many
cases Roma are themselves unaware of their rights, let alone of the way to exercise them, because of a decade, if not centuries, of exclusion.

It is for this reason that Roma, together with other groups vulnerable to discrimination mentioned in
this handbook, enjoy additional protection, in order to improve their living conditions and their access to health care, education and employment. Most importantly, Roma enjoy the right to non-discrimination.

Challenges in practice

The history of European repression against the Roma dates back to their arrival from India several hundred years ago. Ever since there has been a tendency, especially during difficult times, to make Roma scapegoats for frustration through methods such as enslavement, mass killings, marginalisation or expulsion. For this reason, and in view of the use of anti-Roma rhetoric by politicians today, Roma are still often rather hesitant to approach authorities, or they even see them as a threat. This fact, combined with their life-style, which is often incompatible with the particularities of globalised societies, including borders, bureaucracies or formalised institutions such as schools, public services, etc., renders the integration of Roma more complex and difficult.

Responses

  • Council of Europe support programmes for local authorities 
  • Integration in local community life (including housing and political participation) 
  • Integration and protection of Roma children 
  • Access to education 
  • Health service 
  • Integration into the labour market 
  • Fight against anti-gypsyism and awareness-raising of Roma culture/identity

Recommendations

  • Facilitating integration in local community life
  • Protecting and integrating Roma children
  • Providing better access to education
  • Improving access to basic health services
  • Enhancing integration into the labour market and the economy
  • Fighting anti-Gypsyism and raising awareness

Further reading