NRC

Lívia Járóka

What is your name and current position?

Lívia Járóka, Member of the European Parliament from Hungary.

What is your political belonging as a member of the European Parliament?

I am a member of FIDESZ (Hungarian Civic Union) and the Group of the European People’s Party and European Democrats and I serve on the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality as the deputy coordinator for European People’s Party and European Democrats group, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs and the Committee on Culture and Education .

Please describe your previous activities before becoming an MEP (short biography).

After getting MA in sociology from the Central European University Warsaw campus I made an MA in philosophy at Social Anthropology at University College London. Once, finishing my MA in philosophy I continued my studies at the same university, and started my doctorate study titled “The Politics of Ethnic Identity among Roma in Hungary”. I have been actively participated in Hungarian and international Roma civil rights movement for 10 years.

What is your opinion about the current Roma situation in Europe?

A huge number of Roma faces severe discrimination and exclusion in educational systems throughout Europe. The Roma also face important obstacles in obtaining employment. Often, this is related to their inability to receive an sufficient education, particularly as Europe becomes an increasingly knowledge-based economy.Iinefficient education, ghetto housing and chronic unemployment, are self-evidently interlinked, causing a vicious circles.

How much is Europe aware about Roma?

Average Europeans are very unaware about the situation of the Roma. Stereotypes about Roma need to be demystified and the media must focus on realistically portraying Roma in order to project a real image of the Roma people to Europeans.

Having in mind all those resolutions, directives and reports which are established by political groups in EP, at what level are Roma included and protected?

The European Parliament continuously working on raising attention on the situation of Roma in Europe and presenting guidelines for improving their position. The European Commission is getting aware and active in the field, but I feel that the most important actors the Member States do little to implement effective policy on Roma. Real meaningful action would be needed from the governments, and from the side of the European Commission better proactive action and pressure as well as better monitoring could become the safeguard for actual changes. I believe that strengthening the implementation of the two antidiscrimination directives and much better use of the existing European instruments are urgently needed.

Considering your experiences and opinions which is the most urgent problem related to Roma at the European level?

Eradicating segregation in housing, employment, healthcare, and education; the creation of jobs and training programs; investing in secondary and higher education; combating anti-Gypsyism; and increasing Roma involvement in civil society must all be top priorities dealt in a complex way when addressing the situation of the Roma.

What has been done until now as a program from your political agenda?

In April 2005 the EP adopted a five party Resolution on the situation of Roma. Also, the European Peoples Party (EPP), in 2006 March adopted a resolution on Roma, drafted by me, focusing on issues of equal access to employment and education. My own initiated report on Romani Women in the EU, is also an important step in the EP since this is the first EP report, which highlights the experience of multiple discrimination that Romani women face in employment, health care, education and housing, while also underlining issues such as the forced sterilization of Romani women and the problem of trafficking. My job as the first Roma Member of the European Parliament of the EU25 was to bring professional argument concerning Roma issues at the EU level and make sure that the paradigm shift from the paternalistic arguments to progressive and action oriented Roma rights discourse is reflected in the documents and actions of the European Union institution.

What kind of activities are you planning in the future related to your political and ethnic background?

We will follow-up on the EP resolution and report and the EPP resolution to ensure that they are being fully implemented. Also, we are continuing working with the Commission so it becomes more involved at Roma rights. We are at the European People’s Party planning to open up a Roma Network Office and also to further develop our Roma Integration Working Group.I find it especially important to enhance the European Commission to create a group of commissioners within the framework Commissioners Group on Fundamental Rights, Anti-discrimination and Equal Opportunities, who are working on the Roma issue and aim for a green paper with a European action plan on Roma.

How is the cooperation between you and your colleagues?

I have been able to develop a very strong network with many allies from all the political parties, which is very important while lobbying for Roma rights issues at the European Parliament.

What is your vision for the future and where do you see yourself after you finish in Parliament?

I am a social anthropologist and I plan on teaching and continuing my academic research along with helping my own country, Hungary and the Roma community.