[27/09/07 18:30] In his opening speech at the OSCE Human Dimension Roma and Sinti Special Day in Warsaw today, Commissioner Hammarberg called for an enhanced political participation of Roma people and made recommendations to ensure that this right is respected.
"The Roma population is grossly underrepresented in national, regional and local assemblies all over Europe" said the Commissioner. "This unfair situation requires proactive measures. Seats should be reserved for Roma representatives not least on local level." Thomas Hammarberg also focused on the role of established parties stressing that they "must begin relating to Roma in a constructive manner, take their problems seriously and, certainly, take a clear stance against anti-Ziganism - also during election campaigns."
