Three European personalities took advantage of International Roma Day, which is celebrated on 8 April, to express their views on the fragility of these communities in the current health context.
The Secretary General, Marija Pejčinović Burić, expressed “concern” about the reported limitations in some Member States on the equitable access of Roma to the provision of basic public services such as healthcare, drinking water, food aid and the payment of social benefits.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, is worried about the proliferation of hate speech against Roma and Travellers at all levels: “in Bulgaria, for example, politicians and media leaders have accused Roma of being a threat to public health and have called for special measures to be applied to them”, the Commissioner underlines.
Faced with this discriminatory outbreak, Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality, announced that a 'Reinforced Strategy for Equality and Inclusion of Roma in European Society' would be presented by the Commission. (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)