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RNN / OSCE ROUNDTABLE ON ROMA AND SINTI NATIONAL POLICIES Warsaw / POLAND ( RNN Correspondent ) 11.11.1998 ROUNDTABLE ON ROMA AND SINTI NATIONAL POLICIES 2-3 November 1998 ...
RNN / OSCE ROUNDTABLE ON ROMA AND SINTI NATIONAL POLICIES Warsaw / POLAND ( RNN Correspondent ) 11.11.1998 ROUNDTABLE ON ROMA AND SINTI NATIONAL POLICIES 2-3 November 1998 For the list of chairpersons and moderators see the attached agenda. Participation This year's roundtable benefited from greater participation of Roma from around the OSCE region. Altogether the Roundtable was attended by around 50 participants, including State Delegations of USA, France, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Finland, representatives of the OSCE ODIHR, Council of Europe, European Commission and around 35 Roma NGOs. Topic 1: Development of national policies in favor of minority rights of Roma and Sinti, in particular the prevention of violence and discrimination The Council of Europe representative described the encouraging developments in the adoption of policies in some of the countries with the largest Roma population. The Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary prepared comprehensive strategies on Roma issues, whereas similar processes in Romania and Bulgaria are presently under discussion. Several speakers representing State Delegations stated that it would be useful if there was more unity among the Roma organizations and selected persons could be delegated to represent Roma interests at national level. These statements led to a series of comments from the Roma participants who have faced difficulties while dealing with the governments in their own countries. Roma NGOs pointed out that the lack of unity within Roma communities is being used by some government institutions to justify their unwillingness or passiveness in co-operating with Roma. Topic 2: European Commission 'Agenda 2000' and its impact on Roma and Sinti in accessing countries The second session of the roundtable discussed the criteria for accession to EU, one of them being treatment of minorities. It was stated that in general, integration of minorities is satisfactory in the countries seeking EU membership, except for the situation of Roma. The European Commission developed a financial scheme, which includes 2 million ECU to assist the Romanian government in developing a policy focusing on strategies for integration of Roma. Roma participation was part of the terms of reference and implementation. Similar initiatives will be taken for all Central-East European countries. Topic 3: Co-operation of international institutions: OSCE, Council of Europe and European Commission Speakers in this session pointed out that since the OSCE Human Dimension Meeting on Roma in 1994, the ODIHR Contact Point on Roma and Sinti Issues and the Council of Europe have developed a good working relationship. However, there is a need to expand this bipartite co-operation by working with other international institutions, especially the European Commission. The recommendation of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on establishing a senior position at ODIHR to deal specifically with Roma and Sinti issues was discussed and largely supported. It was pointed out that the mandate of this advisor could include some functions performed by ombudsman and human rights protection institutions. Participants also identified some particular areas in which the ODIHR and other international organizations may assist. One of these concerns working with local authorities in the area of education on anti-discrimination and anti-racism, since much resistance is often met at lower levels of governance. A number of participants raised again the need for beginning work on a European Charter on Roma Rights. The following recommendations were put forth in the course of the discussions: To advise ODIHR to establish a senior position to deal on a regular basis with Roma issues; To strengthen the profile of the Contact Point to enable it to provide advice and assistance to governments, especially in the areas of racial violence and discrimination; To advise the OSCE on upgrading the profile of Roma within a broader context of European security. The OSCE to investigate the mode by which the Roma's own concept of personal and group security could be incorporated into OSCE security model; ODIHR Contact Point on Roma and Sinti Issues was requested to provide an inventory of organizations working on Roma related issues; ODIHR was requested to organize series of training for young Roma persons.
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