As delivered by Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Dear Ambassadors,

Dear members of Permanent Representations,

Dear Director of the Roma Foundation for Europe, dear Zeljko,

Dear Deputy Head of the State Service for Ethnic Affairs and Freedom of Conscience of Ukraine and Member of the Steering Committee on Anti-discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion,

Dear friends,

I begin by congratulating Zeljko and the team at the Roma Foundation for Europe on publishing their new important report.

People across Ukraine are suffering enormously from the Russian Federation’s appalling war of aggression.

But this also has a specific impact on the Roma community, which was already confronted with a range of long-term, and complex challenges.

So, to be able to produce this careful, balanced and illuminating report –

And what lessons this can teach us for the future –

Is in many ways an extraordinary achievement.

The report confirms that around a quarter of Roma surveyed had family members serving in the military –

Of which one-third were volunteers –

Despite a Roma culture that is against bearing arms.

This shows the way in which Roma – like their fellow Ukrainians – feel compelled to defend our values and their country against the appalling injustice of Russian aggression.

But we have often seen that when there is a crisis – in this case a war – vulnerable groups – tend to suffer even more.

The report is right to look at what should be done to address these problems.

Of course, the sacrifices that Roma have made
with weapons in their hands for Ukraine’s freedom, and for a free Europe – should be recognised –

Including the loss of Roma lives.

But maybe one could also look into whether there should also be specific steps to ensure that the processes for registering IDPs and property, and claiming aid and compensation, are to the greatest possible extent accessible to all.

I know Ukrainians authorities – both at national, regional and local level – are aware of this and want to help –

And I know that this report will be read with interest by the Secretariat at our own Register of Damage in The Hague – and Kyiv –

And as we – the international community –continue to supply military, financial and humanitarian aid – and help rebuild and reconstruct Ukraine, it will be important to be as inclusive as possible.

I know some of the foundations for these efforts are already being put in place.

On this, let me pay tribute to the work being done by Roma civil society organisations within Ukraine –

Many of these organisations have a strong and established record of helping Roma communities –

Providing access to support and services and
so on –

And now they are also going further still,
by providing much-needed humanitarian aid to people in the parts of Ukraine most affected by war.

I can only encourage them to continue doing what they can in these extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances –

And to be ready to play their part in the post-conflict reconstruction of their country.

Certainly, they have been – and will remain – strong partners for the Council of Europe.

Let me give you some examples of what this means in practice.

The Council of Europe is running a joint project on “Supporting the reform of the national minority legal framework and the resilience of national minorities and Roma in Ukraine”.

Through this, we have worked with a range of state authorities –

And the Human Rights Commissioner of the Ukrainian Parliament –

On a National Roma Strategy –

Supported by an inter-ministerial working group –

And a National Action Plan for Roma.

I believe that over recent months, this project has resulted in significant steps forward.

These include specific measures to help Roma access ID registration –

Including birth certificates and passports –

Which are now being issued –

And the codification of the Romani language in Ukraine –

Which has been used for curricula in primary schools –

And will also soon be extended to high schools –

Ensuring the right of Romani to learn in their first language.

The Council of Europe also has a joint project with the European Union on implementing standards relating to anti-discrimination and the rights of national minorities.

This makes an important contribution to Ukraine’s EU accession process and –

Taken together –

These plans are shaping government policy in a way that fights intolerance, tackles stereotyping and promotes diversity for Roma and others.

More broadly still, we work to support Roma and Traveller inclusion across all our member states –

And Ukraine will benefit from it as well.

Our current Strategic Action Plan is focusing on antigypsyism as well as desegregation and inclusion in education policy and practice –

And our Recommendation on Equality for Roma and Traveller Women and Girls recognises their contribution to society –

The specific difficulties and discrimination that they face – in Europe –

And what should be done to improve their status.

All of this is important, and I hope that every one of our 46 member states will do what they can to improve the often-difficult situation that Roma people and communities still face.

Dear friends,

What is clear to me is that we stand the best chance of progressing further when we work together –

As we are doing –

And will continue to do.

The Council of Europe, including our Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues, will look for what more must be done to ensure fair and inclusive societies –

Informed and supported by strong Roma civil society organisations –

Including the Roma Foundation for Europe –

Which is doing excellent work, across such a broad range of projects and issues –

Including the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, ERIAC –

Which the Council of Europe has supported since its inception –

And which is cultivating and showcasing Roma artistic and cultural achievement for the world to see.

So, in that spirit of co-operation and optimism, I can only again welcome this report.

Fighting for a Fairer Future makes an important contribution to the bigger picture of equality that we are drawing together.

Thank you for your attention.