On Wednesday 30 August, the European Commission called on the member states to step up their efforts in successfully integrating the Roma population and putting an end to the discrimination they suffer. This appeal follows the publication of its assessment of the results for implementing national Roma integration strategies
In a press release, Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans explained, “Member States have to accelerate their efforts to improve Roma integration if we are to put an end to the prejudices, segregation and discrimination still felt by Roma today."
The assessment looks at developments in the Roma situation since 2011 and demonstrates that although certain improvements have been made, these are still being made at a pace that is too slow and that they are small-scale and uneven, especially in the fields of education and employment.
Roma children’s preschool attendance increased from 47% in 2011 to 53% in 2016 and early school leaving rates have been reduced: 68% in 2016, as opposed to 87% in 2011. The report, however, considers that these percentages are still too high and that segregation in education remains a problem in certain countries such as Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria.
These education problems translate into high unemployment rates for these communities. With 63% of young Roma out of work, education or training in 2016, this rate effectively rose compared to figures 2011, particularly in Spain, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary.
The report also highlights the worrying lack of basic medical cover in Bulgaria and Romania and that discrimination in social housing persists in Portugal and Spain.
According to the Commission, these results demonstrate that member states still have to prioritise the struggle against discrimination and anti-gypsy hatred, as well as the integration of young people, even though it acknowledges that, “five years is too short a period to undo centuries of discrimination and deprivation."
On the basis of this assessment, the Commission will define the post-2020 Roma integration strategy. The member states made a heartfelt appeal for this strategy on 8 December 2016. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)