Brussels, 17/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - The president of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), Mercedes Bresso, is backing the European Commission's policy of zero tolerance for discrimination against the Roma. She says that Roma communities are still subject to discrimination and social exclusion in European countries, in violation of the EU's fundamental rights and human rights. It is clearly necessary to raise national, regional and local authorities' awareness to avoid unsuitable or illegal measures being taken, she added.
Tackling prejudice and hostility towards the Roma is the subject of a report by the CoR that sets out practical measures to improve integration of Roma communities, announces the CoR in a press relapse. Supporting the Commission's position in this domain, the CoR urges member states, regions and local authorities to rigorously apply the fundamental rights included in the EU Treaties and to tackle all forms of discrimination against the Roma. This should include raising awareness of national, regional and local authorities to prevent inappropriate or illegal measures being taken. All the suggested measures will be debated in Brussels on 29 September. The debate will be attended by Lívia Jaroka (EPP, Hungary), rapporteur for the European Parliament on the Roma question. Livia Jaroka is herself a Roma.
Alvaro Ancisi: how to raise local authorities' awareness of the Roma population
In a draft opinion, the Committee of the Regions rapporteur, Alvaro Ancisi (EPP, Italy), municipal councillor in Ravenna, points out that the European Union and its member states have joint responsibility for the Roma community. He makes a severe diagnosis, stating that although suitable instruments have been introduced at EU level, there is a gap in implementation at national, regional and local level due to the absence at local level of the use of means that would improve the practical living standards of the Roma. He explained that local authorities' problems are not solely due to the existence of prejudice and stereotypes in local authorities and local communities, but also arise from the responsibility of national governments that define the legal reference context, often provide an unclear division of power at the various levels in terms of tackling social exclusion and provide insufficient cooperation between central and local government.
Integration of the Roma, of whom there are estimated to be between 10 and 12 million in the EU, comes under the responsibility of the member states and the EU institutions. The CoR is alarmed that the effectiveness of existing policies is suffering from lack of awareness among local authorities and the Roma themselves, explains the CoR press release. In order to combat this, Ancisi suggests that action should be taken at three levels. At the EU level, he calls a strategy to be drawn up to implement common policies in the various member states, with access to EU funding for projects implemented by local authorities. He adds that it is urgent for member states to introduce regulations that will allow the proper implantation of EU anti-discrimination legislation and EU rules protecting people's rights. At regional and local level, he says that joined-up regional policies are needed at local level, along with cooperation with the countries from which immigrant Roma hail. (G. B./transl.fl)