In the frameworks of the SHDM side event on Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of Roma in Italy was held, in the same time protests were held and Roma activists had meeting with representatives of Fundamental Rights Agency. We are concern of Italy policies toward Roma, which includes fingerprinting or ethnic profiling as methods to gather data about Roma, instead of policies to facilitate access of Roma to public services.

NRC as human rights based organisation promoting Roma inclusion is strongly condemns racial violence against Roma in Italy. OSCE is supporting Roma population in the region, but now when Roma are directly endangered in Italy OSCE should strongly react upon these violations. Roma need stability, security and urgent actions to stop racial attacks and persecution.

The report from the conference provides positive messages and suggestions for creating and conducting of a more efficient educational policy and grasp of Roma pupils in elementary schools. All participants at the conference highlighted the importance of educat ion in creating of the future of Roma children and with that to the entire Roma community.

Claude Cahn and Sebihana Skenderovska

I. Introduction

A number of large forces in Europe have in recent years weakened the power of the nation-state in Europe and/or given rise to competing trans-national authorities, particularly the European Union. Although extensive efforts have been made to link these practices to fundamental human rights or to the rights of European citizens – and indeed many hundreds of thousands of Europeans have benefited from these developments –, in practice a number of persons with genuine effective links to one or more European states are precluded from full and effective citizenship in all or any European states or polities. Many may even lack the recognized citizenship of any country. This exclusion is frequently on grounds of ethnicity or perceived race. Roma – a stigmatized, pariah minority – are particularly affected. Exclusion from the polity can and frequently does give rise to expulsion or threat of expulsion from country.

During the meeting Mr. Hammarberg has shown great interest on the present discrimination which appears against Roma people in Republic of Macedonia with special accent on Romani women and the status of Roma refugees from Kosovo. Based on our work and experience he asks for opinions and monitoring remarks, which he shall address specific questions during his official meeting with the representatives of the institutions and Government. Most of the present NGOs suggested to Mr. Hammarberg to address to the highest Macedonian authorities as well as to the Ministry for Justice, Ministry of Interior, Ministry for Labour and Social Policy and the Ministry for health. As delegates from ERTF and representatives of National Roma Centrum we highlighted the fact that Roma are still marginalized group in Republic of Macedonia and that discrimination as a problem still exist. As a weakness bangle in the legal system we highlighted the importance to adopt comprehend anti-discrimination law, which does not exist making obstructions to indicate discrimination as such. The non equal implementation of Ohrid Framework Agreement also results as tool to confirm discrimination against Roma minority in Macedonia.

An exchange of information and ideas was made, which would provide an opportunity for creating of relations for successful cooperation in the mutual treatment of the problem with inclusion of Roma in social and educational processes in Republic of Macedonia.

A result from this meeting was the conclusion that there is a great necessity of engaging of media in actualization and treatment of the problematic for inclusion of Roma in social and educational processes.

The media expressed their readiness together in cooperation with the National Roma Centrum for constructive approach and informing about the treatment of the Roma problematic.

In the forthcoming period NRC according to its predicted plan and program will have public appearances with concrete analyses and elaborations of data from the many months of field work in 11 cities in Republic of Macedonia.

The meeting was organized within the frames of the campaign for education of Roma in Macedonia "The key is in our hands", and was implemented by the National Roma Centrum "NRC" from Kumanovo with support of the Roma Education Fund from Budapest.

The activities will continue with great intensity in cooperation and support from the state’s institutions.

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Dear Presidents of Political groups in the European Parliament,

Regarding the debate on European Roma Strategy that appears on your agenda of the forthcoming January plenary session in Strasbourg, we would kindly appreciate your highest attention on the following points:

• The European Roma Strategy is a necessity as well as priority for the European Union especially after the events that took place in Italy last year. Such strategy should serve the EU as an instrument for prevention of similar developments in other EU member states;
• The European Roma Strategy should primarily focus on improving the living conditions of the Roma in Europe, create jobs for jobless Roma, deepen the system of non-discrimination and combat Anti-Gypsyism in the EU, support education of the Roma, bring health in the Roma settlements and promote Roma political inclusion.
  In a same time the European Roma Strategy should take into account the official recommendations of the CoE, the OSCE action Plan on Roma as well as the Decade of Roma Inclusion programs.
• Creation of a Roma Unit within the European Commission should be a number-one priority for the EU, especially after the European Council recognises the urgency of the matter and undertakes concrete steps as soon as possible. Such Unit on Roma issues can help the policy, implementation and monitoring part of the European Strategy on Roma in Europe;
• The European Roma Strategy should serve Roma as equal citizens in the EU and should be tabled for consultation as well as to be developed together with Romani partners;
• The Roma in the EU are 12 million people. With the future enlargement of the EU meaning of the accession of the Western Balkans states the number will increase to 14-15 million and with Turkey will come to 16-17 million Roma;

We count on your generous support to the Roma and we thank you for sharing this letter with your MEP colleagues so that our voice as your voters is heard too.

Devlesa
Asmet Elezovski
President of National Roma Centrum
Spokeperson of Roma National Congress
Delegate European Roma and Travellers Forum

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