On Tuesday 12 February, MEPs approved by show of hands the draft resolution tabled by the EPP Group and supported by the S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA, ECR and GUE/NGL groups on the need to strengthen the next European strategic framework for national strategies for Roma inclusion after 2020 and to step up the fight against antigypsyism.
The resolution was led by Hungarian MEP Lívia Járóka (EPP), a Roma herself, and the subject was very consensual, according to a parliamentary source. A debate had already taken place during the last European Parliament plenary session.
All in all, the Parliament reiterated its position already expressed in an own-initiative report adopted in October 2017 (see EUROPE 11891) and regretted that limited action has been taken on the recommendations made.
MEPs consider that the current EU framework lacks clear and measurable objectives and therefore call on the Commission and Member States to introduce more priority areas, clear and binding targets, timetables, mechanisms to assess progress in Roma inclusion and substantial public funds when the current EU framework expires in 2020.
The resolution also calls on the Commission and Member States to better involve Roma representatives in the development and implementation of this EU strategic framework.
The requests for votes separated from certain provisions by the ECR Group did not change the text of the resolution. MEPs also adopted the oral amendment by Anna Maria Corazza Bildt (EPP, Sweden) calling for priority attention to be given to children in the programming and implementation of national strategies.
“The next Commission must make this an absolute priority (...) The treatment of Roma people remains Europe's greatest shame; whoever leads the next Commission must commit to finally changing this”, said Soraya Post (S&D, Sweden), in a statement after the vote. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)