LIBE I

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE I)

1. INTRODUCTION

3.

2. KEY TERMS

KEY ACTORS

4. KEY CONFLICTS

5. MEASURES IN PLACE

6. ACTIONS

7. KEY QUESTIONS

8. RESEARCH

The European Commission: It plays a central role in shaping the EU's strategies and policies to achieve Roma inclusion as it is responsible for the proposal of legislation as well as managing the EU’s budget. The Commission has recently approved a new 10-year Roma Strategic Framework which aims to give every Roma person the chance to reach their full potential in terms of education, employability as well as participation in societal issues. Part of the European Commission is the Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity (DGII), which raises awareness through campaigns like the “Dosta” campaign, workshops and training as well as programmes in collaboration with national governments to enhance the voice and rights of Roma people.

EU Member States: Responsible for implementing and adapting the National Roma Strategic Frameworks along with local authorities. Member States like Spain, France and Greece have already implemented the features promoted by the Strategy. Other Member States, like Cyprus and Denmark must develop their national strategies further for Roma inclusion, allocate resources, and implement programs to address the challenges faced by Romani communities within their territories.

• Europe’s Problem With The Roma by AJ+ (2022) A video showcasing the discrimination faced by the Roma community in Europe.
• The Struggle for Survival of the Roma People: Europe’s Most Hated by VICE News (2014) A video highlighting the struggles faced by the Roma community as well the discrimination and obstacles to their rights.
• “Protecting the rights of Roma: Europe’s great challenge” by the FRA (2023) A speech explaining the obstacles faced by the Roma community in many fields and the stigma they experience.
• Europe Roma Rights Centre Website The website of ERRC with a plethora of articles categorised by country and topic area that provides a valuable insight in the issues and obstacles faced in many fields.

Lack of Political Representation in the EU

Despite efforts to foster inclusive governance, the Romani people often lack adequate political representation and civil society support within the EU. The underrepresentation of Romani voices in EU institutions and civil society organisations leads to a lack of effective advocacy for their rights at the European level. Structural barriers in EU institutions in the form of limited political engagement opportunities, and the perpetuation of negative stereotypes hinder Romani individuals' political representation. Lack of funding and capacity-building for Romani-led civil organisations also limits their ability to participate in EU policy discussions. Based on the composition of the European Parliament in 2019, Romani individuals are significantly underrepresented in the European Parliament with only 3 Romani Members of the European Parliament among the 751 representatives. Beyond all other aspects of political representation, they are not recognised as a minority ethnic group within the EU and officially recognised only in Romania.

‘Gypsy’: The term ‘gypsy’ historically refers to members of the Romani ethnic group, a nomadic community with diverse origins across Europe. However, it is essential to note that the term ‘gypsy’ has been considered derogatory and offensive by many, as it perpetuates stereotypes and misunderstandings. It's more appropriate to use the term ‘Romani’ or ‘Roma’ when referring to this ethnic group.

Romani: The Romani, also known as Roma, are an ethnic group with a rich cultural heritage that spans across different countries. Historically, they were a nomadic people, but today, many Romani individuals have settled in various regions and pursue diverse lifestyles. They have faced widespread discrimination and marginalisation throughout history, leading to various social issues and challenges.

Traveller: The term ‘traveller’ generally refers to a person or group of people who lead a nomadic lifestyle. This can include individuals who travel from place to place for various reasons, such as work, cultural practices, or personal preference. It is important to differentiate this term from the Romani/Roma community, as the latter refers to a specific ethnic group with distinct cultural traditions and historical background.

Antigypsyism: Antigypsyism is a term used to describe the discrimination, prejudice, and negative attitudes directed towards the Romani/Roma community. It refers to the systemic and structural oppression faced by this ethnic group across different societies, often manifesting in various forms of social exclusion, stigmatisation, and human rights violations.

Marginalisation: Marginalisation involves socially pushing certain groups from vital aspects of society, depriving them of resources, opportunities, and decision-making. This exclusion, as seen in marginalised communities like the Romani group, often results in discrimination and unequal treatment, perpetuating their disadvantaged status.

Discrimination and racism are common phenomena even in the 21st century. Despite the fact that the Romani population varies between 10-12 million in Europe - a number that might be even higher due to underreporting - this group is still excluded from society. They often encounter limited employment possibilities, lower living standards and reduced access to education. The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) Roma Survey 2021 has shown that although the living standards of Romani people have improved in the last decade, socio-economic issues are still present as 80% of Roma live at risk of poverty. Only 43% percent of Roma are in paid work, while Roma women continue to be discriminated against as only 28% of them are employed. Education remains insufficient as more than 70% of Roma children continue to leave school early. Additionally, 52% of Roma children aged 6-15 are still attending

segregated schools, an issue evident in Slovakia and Bulgaria. Lastly, Roma children face severe housing deprivation with the majority residing in overcrowded houses lacking even basic amenities like tap water. As a result, the Roma population has a lower life expectancy in comparison to the non-Romani population.

Lack of Access to Services in the EU

Despite the EU's commitment to promoting equal access to services, Romani communities continue to confront substantial challenges in accessing education and healthcare. The situation varies across countries, but in some regions, educational systems perpetuate segregation or lack sufficient support for Romani children, resulting in lower enrollment and higher dropout rates. These disparities contribute to the broader issue of inadequate healthcare infrastructure and culturally insensitive healthcare practices, resulting in subpar health outcomes for Romani individuals. Historical neglect of Romani communities' educational and healthcare needs, alongside socio-economic disparities, further contribute to the lack of access to services. The lingering effects of past discriminatory practices such as hate crimes and policies continue to impact these communities, hindering their ability to access quality education and healthcare. Language barriers and cultural misunderstandings between Romani individuals and service providers present additional hurdles. These challenges can lead to misdiagnosis, limited access to information, and lower trust between service providers and Romani communities.

EU Roma Strategic Framework: Developed with the goal of providing every Roma person with the chance to reach their full potential. To achieve this, the new framework lays out a thorough three-pillar strategy, which includes the involvement of Roma individuals in political, social, economic, and cultural life as well as equality with all other members of society. In order to ensure that the Commission and Member States collaborate, a proposal for a Council Recommendation is included within this strategic framework.

EU Action Plan against racism 2020-2025: brings together stakeholders at all levels in order to combat racism in the EU more successfully. One such strategy is the implementation of national anti-racist action plans with the provision of EU funds in order to tackle Roma discrimination on a national level. According to the Commissioner for Equality, “With the targets that we have laid out in the Strategic Framework today, we expect to make real progress by 2030 towards a Europe in which Roma are celebrated as part of our Union's diversity, take part in our societies and have all the opportunities to fully contribute to and benefit from political, social and economic life in the EU”.

MISTO AVILEAN (in Romani, Welcome) Migration: A project that achieved the encouragement of integrating 200 migrant Roma children in the education system of three countries affected by their migration: Romania, France, and Spain. This was done by teaching educational professionals to deliver a non-discriminatory kind of education. The project was funded by the European Commission through the Programme “Rights, Equality and Citizenship” and was implemented from November 2018 until April 2021.

Facing the truth

Chaired by: Andreas Savva (CY) and Christia Spyrou (CY)

Even with the European Commission's recent strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation of Roma in the EU, the European Romani community still faces hardships whitin European society. Bearing in mind the recent increase in institutional racism and discrimination against the Romani communities, what measures should the EU take to safeguard their societal position?

Romani CRISS: An essential stakeholder representing the Romani society while holding accountable the European Commission, alongside the National Governments of the EU Member States, for not correctly implementing the inclusion strategies. With its expertise it successfully raises awareness of the lack of rights and opportunities for Romani communities. Romani CRISS, one of the most well-known non-governmental organisations, successfully provides assistance to Romani people that experience violence while trying to solve the issue of segregated education and limited healthcare.

Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA): An independent centre which aims to protect human rights in the EU. One of their actions is the collection of evidence-based insights through surveys while communicating the results to decision makers showing the effectiveness of their implementations.

Media: Very crucial in modern society when it comes to raising awareness about the Roma Community. This has already been proven successful when the British BBC TV channel covered the opening of the first Roma restaurant in Slovenia. Additionally, an article in The Guardian has raised awareness for the abuse they are experiencing. Simultaneously, media can present the Roma minority in a negative way, not aiding the minority’s inclusion. Thus, accurate and responsible reporting can help challenge stereotypes and promote understanding.

Cultural Differences and Societal Perceptions in the EU

Within the EU, the Romani people face discrimination and marginalisation due to cultural differences and negative societal perceptions. Despite the EU's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, Romani communities continue to experience prejudice and bias. Negative stereotypes, discrimination and the use of offensive terms perpetuated both within the Union, hinder the Romani people's integration into society and access to equal opportunities. The historical prejudices against the Romani people, coupled with limited awareness of their cultural heritage and contributions, have contributed to the perpetuation of discriminatory attitudes. Inadequate education about Romani history and culture in mainstream curricula leads to a lack of understanding and empathy, further fueling negative perceptions. According to the FRA’s survey conducted in 2016, 47% of Romani respondents reported experiencing ethnic discrimination.

In the EU, the rights of Romani people have been a pressing topic, highlighting the significance of unity and locally-driven initiatives in promoting social equality and inclusion. The Romani community, with its rich cultural heritage and historical presence across Europe, has faced long-standing challenges, including discrimination, social exclusion, and limited access to basic human rights. Locally-driven actions such as the multi-annual Roma Programme across many EU countries play a crucial role in addressing these issues, as they allow for tailored solutions that address specific needs within different communities. Local governments have a vital role to play in safeguarding the rights of Romani people within their regions by engaging in direct dialogue, implementing inclusive policies, and actively involving Romani representatives in decision-making processes. NGOs contribute significantly by providing advocacy, support, and empowerment initiatives at the grassroots level. Through awareness campaigns and skill-building workshops, they help strengthen the Romani community's social and economic prospects. Local projects also combat antigypsyism, fostering understanding and cooperation, creating spaces for dialogue, reconciliation, and a more inclusive and cohesive society. One inspiring example is the "National Roma Strategic Framework" in combination with the “Intercultural Cities: Building the future on diversity” project, implemented in Bucharest, Romania, where collaboration between the local government and NGOs led to tangible improvements in the Romani community's quality of life and sense of belonging. Another example is the construction of a new nursery school in Pečovská Nová Ves, a Slovaki village in 2020, increasing the children capacity by 50, including 20 children from marginalised Roma communities. Through unity and locally-driven efforts, the EU can create a more inclusive and equitable environment, respecting and upholding the rights of all individuals, regardless of ethnicity.