ODIHR report finds Roma and Sinti are still disadvantaged and discriminated against in the OSCE area, need to participate more in politics and public life
While some positive transformations have been achieved for the Roma and Sinti people who live in the countries belonging to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) over the last two decades, deep differences still persist between their lives and those of the general population. Those are the findings of the Fourth Status Report released in December by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the OSCE.
The report also stresses that it is necessary to do much more work to arrange for the full integration and participation of Roma and Sinti in politics and public life. “Since the countries of the OSCE committed to ensuring positive change for the Roma and Sinti across the region over 20 years ago, real progress has been made,” said ODIHR First Deputy Director Tea Jaliashvili.
“But deep disparities between the lives of the Roma and the general population remain in a number of places, and anti-Roma racism and discrimination are still a fundamental challenge. We must continue working to improve their situation and increase Roma participation in public and political life,” Jaliashvili said in a press release.
The 57 countries belonging to the OSCE have made progress on developing targeted policies to support Roma and Sinti people and on adapting their domestic legal frameworks so as to address many of the problems faced by these communities. However, it is necessary that there be consultations with these communities themselves on a regular basis, including with women and youth, in order to arrange for the effective performance of these frameworks and mechanisms.
“This is an occasion to be proud on behalf of the OSCE, and a good example of the difference our organization, despite its limited resources, has been able to make over the years for people on the ground. But as this report also makes clear, much, much more needs to be done,” said Hilda Kolevska, Minister Plenipotentiary, OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia.
“The lack of access to equal quality education and economic opportunities makes it all the more important to finally break the cycle of the generational ‘reproduction of inequality’ that is still negatively impacting and hampering the lives of Roma and Sinti in so many of our countries,” Kolevska added. A Brussels-based representative of Romani civil society, Gabriela Hrabaňová, the Executive Director of the European Roma Grassroots Organizations Network (ERGO), said: “Roma and Sinti communities across the OSCE region still experience multiple inequalities, racism and discrimination in exercising their rights and accessing services.”
“The situation of women and communities displaced by conflict are of particular concern, and require tailored measures that lead to sustainable solutions,” Hrabaňová said. The Fourth Status Report says all countries belonging to the OSCE recognize “the particular difficulties faced by Roma and Sinti and the need to undertake effective measures in order to achieve full equality of opportunity” for members of these communities in the OSCE area.
The ODIHR supports states throughout the OSCE area with fulfilling their obligations. In line with the Action Plan on Improving the Situation of the Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area, the ODIHR publishes a Status Report every five years summarizing the progress made by states in improving the economic and social situations of Roma and Sinti, their participation in civic and political life, and their progress in the fight against discrimination and racism
