Last week was the “Roma Week” at the European Parliament. Each year, the European Parliament together with other European Institutions and civil society organisations, dedicates the week around International Roma Day on 8 April to the Roma community. During the whole week there are cultural and political events and conferences. It is a big achievement for the Roma community to have this entire week dedicated to them and it is an important opportunity to bring forward their concerns and demands to end discrimination and social exclusion of the Roma people across Europe.
Together with my colleague Célimène, we attended several of those events. When I think back to all those discussions, I realise that one issue came up very often: There are legal frameworks and strategies aiming at protecting and guaranteeing rights for Roma (and most other vulnerable groups), but the problem is implementation. The Charter of Fundamental Rights forbids discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, but still many Roma face discrimination in many aspects of their daily life. There are strategies to end housing and educational segregation but still thousands of Roma live in segregated settlements and many Roma children attend segregated schools.
The framework is there, the words are there on paper, but it is not enough. Action is urgently needed to improve the lives of millions of Roma people in Europe. This is the message I retain from this year’s Roma week and it’s a message that needs to be embraced by national, regional and local authorities and all other organisations and actors working with Roma people.
While we are waiting for authorities to act, it is immensely encouraging to see how many Eurodiaconia members are supporting Roma and other vulnerable persons every day. They are transforming those words into action and support Roma (and other vulnerable persons) to access their rights and become full and active members of our societies.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Anne-Sophie