Europarådets pressekorrespondent i de nordiske lande
Arne Madsen
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Til Redaktionen
Dato: 4. maj 2005. Antal sider (inkl. denne): 1
Human Rights Commissioner publishes a report on the human rights situation
of the Roma in Europe
Strasbourg, 04.05.2005 - The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Alvaro Gil-Robles,
will today publish his report on the human rights situation of the Roma, Sinti and Travellers in Europe. The
Roma are present in virtually all member states of the Council of Europe and comprise approximately ten
million people. In most of the countries the Commissioner has visited, the Roma populations face
considerable obstacles to the full enjoyment of their fundamental rights.
In his report, Alvaro Gil-Robles stresses that the long history of continued discrimination and persecution
experienced by the Roma must finally come to an end. While documenting the principal human rights
violations the Roma are subjected to, the report also presents a series of recommendations for overcoming
discrimination in housing, education, employment and health care as well as the treatment of Roma by public
authorities.
The report calls for active partnerships of all authorities, institutions and people concerned, including the
Roma themselves, for putting into place the measures needed for ensuring the full respect of human rights of
Roma, Sinti and Travellers. Protocol 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights related to non-
discrimination and the Equality Directive of the European Union provide a sound legal foundation for these
efforts.
The Human Rights Commissioner also welcomes the establishment of the European Roma and Travellers
Forum which will help understand the diversity of Roma communities in Europe and amplify their voices in
European and national decision-making.
The report is available on the website of the Commissioner for Human Rights: www.commissioner.coe.int.
Contacts:
John DALHUISEN, Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights
Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 23 13, mobile +33 (0) 6 61 14 70 37
Lauri SIVONEN, Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights,
Tel. +33 (0)3 90 21 47 97
Press Contact
Council of Europe Press Division
Tel. +33 3 88 41 25 60 - Fax. +33 3 88 41 39 11
E-mail: [email protected]