02. Mamush

03. Ko dugavda to vilo

04. Pravdilo da daje bre jek kalo sabalji

05. Suzi bori suzo cavo

06. 100 milionja

07. Kali kali

08. Dza dol javari

09. Dema dema to mangipe

10. Kazino

11. Muk tu hari te bala

12. Ka dav bari sovli

13. Oro Super Mario

Efforts for Roma integration in Europe proposed now as well as in the last several years are more or less similar to those proposed in the early 1990s when Roma people started to raise their voice to integrate in societies throughout Europe and the world. However, there are a very few effects from the previous efforts. Also, it lacks continuity of those reforms, platforms and initiatives that produced results and showed positive results and practices for better life of Roma.

Over the years I have thought about overcoming that. As a man who works in the field among the Roma community, I propose to do that by being honest to ourselves and thus, to others too. It is good to start by admitting that, unfortunately, the situation of Roma is still bad, mainly because, in the 21st century, Roma are expelled, discriminated, humiliated, targeted…

Each country has a progress and stagnation regarding Roma, each country has its practices and experience. Due to that, it is good to learn from the experience of all them for a Roma platform of solid foundations and to take concrete steps in near future. I say ‘in near future’ because our children and our children’s children can not wait any more. They can not bear the burden of negative generalisation of all Roma people as poor, uneducated, beggars living in streets, people of whom all caused by life in substandard human conditions are eager to leave, for instance, Macedonia?!

Due to those prejudices and stereotypes, the right of movement is banned to the majority of Roma in my country. Do I have to fight stereotypes in my country just because I am a Roma, and to fight stereotypes in Europe just because I am a Roma and come from the Balkans? In front of all these questions I feel as if I tilt at windmills!

To me, the Roma platform is the light at the end of this dark tunnel. The Roma platform is a good and constant political process that I do support as a representative of Roma National Centrum from Kumanovo and as a representative of European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERFT). It is a good position to change firstly the so called chip of prejudices and stereotypes towards Roma by many Europeans. The platform is a good compass where exactly to go and what exactly Roma do need.

Here, I will again remind to stereotypes, denying, generalisations … I have to express my culture, customs, tradition … my language so I can feel as a great Roma! To make all this possible, this platform, its creators and those implementing it must not forget the fact that I have the right to speak, read, other to talk to me, me talk to others in Romani language. Firstly I am a Roma, then Macedonian, then European, and then citizen of the Earth. Aren’t we supposed to stick to multi-culture and variety?

Thus, let’s not make the same mistake as early, let’s not offer, vote, accept and declaratively pass platforms, declarations and directions. It is necessary to start working in the field. A full transparency in processes is necessary, above all transparency of authorities implementing international conventions, transparency of those making budgets for actions of Roma (host and foreign organisations), as well as those creating the actions (civil society).

A full transparency will make easier the monitoring of the processes and easier to see mistakes. Also, it will be easier to correct. Thus, we will be able to point at bad practices, to see the main obstacle for true Roma integration in Europe. Also, it will be easier to reproach those who previously voted but undermine foundations of processes for better life of Roma. Simply, we will be able to look at each other and openly talk about all challenges ahead of us.

Why do I say this? Bureaucracy and too much bureaucratism has ‘eaten’ or started that to the processes and practices for better Roma integration in societies throughout Europe. Instead of that, I propose to put all efforts and finances towards Roma, to put them in practice, from Roma to Roma, in the field, for real problems. I do not want to be ungrateful to those managing the processes for Roma at administrative level in every government individually as well as in Europe. That is why I am going to say, it is fair to split efforts and finances on partner grounds, fifty – fifty, 50 percent for bureaucracy and other 50 in practice for Roma.

But, we must not forget that at the end of a day we understand the most important of all is the will for improvement and will to change for good, a will of all involved for easier and better Roma inclusion in societies throughout Europe. There is no political consensus for progress without will. And, how we are going to be listened and taken seriously if we do not have resources, are not unique and joined in our efforts, if we work for our own disadvantage, are not in European institutions, do not show examples from practice, do not offer solutions, do not lobby, do not invest in ourselves and others…

Ashmet Elezovski

President of National Roma Centrum Kumanovo, the Republic of Macedonia

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Written by Asmet Elezovski

Indeed, a rare opportunity to discuss and analyze these issues in depth with a representative of an organization that should be one of the key international players aiding the international development, the democratic processes and the human rights.

As part of the group of civil organizations representatives, I used this meeting to raise questions about the troubleshooting in the above mentioned topics, to determine the real reasons behind the stalling and the failure of the country to meet the demands required in the Roma Decade in order to improve the situation of the Roma in the country. It seems that everyone is aware that the poor economic state, in which we live in, is the key reason not only for the worrying asylum seekers issue, but for many other, such as the inability to tackle the housing problem for the Roma as an obligation that the country took by its inclusion in the Roma Decade. It is also the key reason behind the recent ethnic tensions; behind the increasing number of emigrants; behind the lack of action to generally improve the condition of the people in distress or the people from marginalized groups.

Another important issue that I wanted to raise is the census problem that we as a country obviously have. To me, it seems directly connected with the Ohrid framework agreement and the need to meet certain percentages in order to ensure righteous participation of the different ethnic groups in the administration of the country. Not to be misunderstood, the agreement has its positive effects and has contributed to the development of the ethnic relations in the country. But I am certain that many will agree that it is also a reason for many issues amongst which is the need for census manipulation. This goes double for the Roma, who have often been manipulated in the past to declare themselves as members of other communities. And this is definitely something that needs to be resolved as soon as possible.

Finally, I used this opportunity to open one issue that no one seems to want to distress and that is the effectiveness of the international organizations such as OSCE in the efforts to help those in need. Again, not to be understood incorrectly, I really feel that there certainly is a will at many of these organizations, especially in OSCE to really help for the things to improve. There is a will and there is certainly enough quality in the people that work on the Roma issues, but I feel that sometimes they are overburdened with administrative issues, that they can’t act timely and properly due to the high volume of administrative obligations which makes them ineffective.

We ought to seek their support as often as possible in the next period in order to improve the implementation of the Roma Decade and in the general efforts to improve the conditions of the Roma and of all other people in need. Thus, we need a partner that will promptly give assistance! This way, we will improve even our own effectiveness and we’ll certainly help far more issues to be resolved!

In this manner, I had to inform the representatives of OSCE about the feeling that prevails at many Roma organizations, that the OSCE has neglected the Roma question in the past period. In the past decade, I personally was involved in many activities that OSCE organized, including activities connected with OSCE/ODIHR Contact Point for Roma and Sinthi Issues. Now, I really have a feeling that the dialogue with OSCE on the Roma issues has decreased.

Though not present, I wanted to stress out that the current OSCE’s advisor on Roma and Sinthi Issues, Andrzej Mirga has been lacking in effectiveness and in activity. While with his predecessors, the situation was very different. At the time, I was involved in many processes, many projects such as the Roma and Stability Pact in South Eastern Europe. A movement was felt in general, because thanks to OSCE, the Roma at the time were participating in the creation of the policies and in their implementation.

In fact, when I’ll think about it, I wound have even participated in the meeting with the OSCE representatives if some people like the advisor were present. They seem to be alienated from the Roma community. I really feel that the Roma has been neglected by OSCE in the past period and I suggest that the things should be returned to the way they were. This is especially important in these tough times, when unfortunately many Roma are faced even with security issues, with poverty, with the deportation from far more developed countries than Macedonia. And it is shameful that international organization, such as OSCE have been passive in regards to these problems, not to talk about the desperate need of securing equal rule of law and better implementation of important documents and strategies.

We need more meetings like this, better dialogue with the international organizations. But we also need for them to take part in the dialogue with the political representatives, with the civil organizations and with the Roma community directly.

At this point, I am grateful for the invitation to the meeting, although it was impossible to present the problems of the Roma society in five minutes. Nevertheless, my views hopefully will enhance implementation of national strategic documents for social inclusion of Roma. We need more action of public administration and of public and political features!

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Based on articles 25 and 26 of the Statute of National Roma Centrum 047-04/11 from 14.04.2011 and articles 22, 23, 24 from the Law on Associations and Foundations (Official Gazzete of the Republic of Macedonia, No. 52/10, 135/11) on 14.02.2012 an annual assembly of NRC was held. The members of the Assembly were informed about the activities of the association during year 2011, as well as for the changes in the way of working in accordance with the Law on Associations and Foundations.

New project activities which will be realized during 2012 were also presented.

Printed editions of the Association’s Annual Report, the Report of the focus groups and interviews for services in the reproductive period, the summary and recommendations for the implemented policies for decreasing of medical inequalities in antenatal and postnatal care for Roma women in Macedonia as well as the comic book ‘Drugarcinja” (Friends) were presented in front of the attendants.

With an overview of the financial expenditures for every realized project in 2011 the members of the Assembly were informed about the way of realization of the association’s budget in this period.

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A contract for the legalization of housing of Roma people is signed. Open Society Foundation, civil organization National Roma Centrum from Kumanovo and the association for humanitarian housing Habitat Macedonia signed a contract on January the 18th. The project should provide financial, administrative and technical support in legalization of the homes of Roma people and it will last from 2012 till 2015. The total budget for the project amounts on 905.208 american dollars. NRC’s president Ashmet Elezovski showed aspirations to inform Roma people about the legalization of their homes through the project, and then to fully help them in the process of legalization. For that purpose the National Roma Centrum has already opened a Resource Center in Kumanovo where all interested Roma people will gain technical legal assistance.

Housing is one of the four important pillars of the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005-2015.

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The aim of this press release is to inform about the publishing of a document entitled Reducing Health Inequalities in Antenatal and Postnatal Care of Romani Women in the Republic of Macedonia – Policy Action Brief.

The report findings and the analysis show the disadvantages and the course to improve the access to qualitative health care. The recommendations in this policy action brief are a clear guide for future actions in the area of reproductive health in the system of health care.

In the frames of its activities, the National Roma Centrum for several years has been working on advocacy for a gradual implementation of the right to health with focus on reproductive health, on-time and qualitative healthcare services for female members of the Roma community.

The association National Roma Centrum within the project activities “Health Inequalities regarding Romani Women” in the period between November 2010 and November 2011 intensively worked on a research on the health care in the reproductive period of women in the Roma community. Thanks to the support from the Accountability and Monitoring in Health Initiative (AMHI) of the Open Society Institute New York and the Roma Health Program (RHP) of the Open Society Institute Budapest, NRC obtained data showing the disadvantages and the course to improve the access to qualitative health care.

Within the project activities, collection of data and assessment of the situation in the area of health inequalities at women’s reproductive period was carried out with a questionnaire on a representative sample of focus groups and in-depth interviews with target groups from other areas concerned. The qualitative research was based on 102 women in reproductive period (aged 15 to 49) organised in 10 focus groups in Kumanovo, Kriva Palanka, Kochani, Shtip and Bitola, as well as 25 individual interviews with officials of the Institute for Public Health of the Republic of Macedonia, the Office for Management of Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths, the Health Insurance Fund of Macedonia, health institutions directly providing services of reproductive health (representatives of departments of gynaecology and obstetrics or gynaecologists, counselling centres for reproductive health and patronage services).

Contact person

Sebihana Skenderovska

E-mail: skenderovska@nationalromacentrum.org

Website: www.nationalromacentrum.org

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Within the “Health Inequities regarding Romani Women” project, NRC conducted a research on the access offered and the services Romani women use in periods of pregnancy, birth and nursing.

A reality is women members of the Roma community who lack conditions and opportunities to look after their health due to numerous reasons: inequality, continuous discrimination, illiteracy and unemployment, a fact that puts them on the edges of a society.

Also, unequal access and unequal opportunities are problems Romani women face with during pregnancy and motherhood. In these periods, reproductive health, qualitative health care as well as social well-being are of an enormous importance in a life of every young mother. The report from the focus groups and the interviews provide data on perception, opinions and experiences from these periods of Romani women from the five target towns of Kumanovo, Shtip, Kriva Palanka, Kochani and Bitola.

The same included specific recommendations by women members of the Roma community from the target towns and from officials of institutions at national and local level.

The Republic of Macedonia is one of the signatory countries of the Decade of Roma in 2005 together with other 8 countries from South-Eastern Europe. All counties took on an obligation to come up with and achieve practical solutions to improve the situation of Romani people in the 4 priority areas of employment, education, housing and health. It was recommended to devote a special attention on improving the situation of Romani women in all these areas.

Civic associations and initiatives have been taking actions for some time to become sensitive and to discuss the question of the vulnerable position of a Romani woman. Also, efforts to identify reasons and to find solutions that directly influence on improvement of the situation of Romani women in the priority areas are made.

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