Ahead of International Roma Day on 8 April, on 6 April the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, and the Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, called for States to combat discrimination against these communities.
The Secretary General highlighted the ongoing segregation in schools, mentioning an integration programme launched by the Council of Europe last week in Strasbourg and the recent adoption of a recommendation of the Committee of Ministers on the inclusion of young Roma. She announced that two more standards are upcoming: one on young people from national minorities, the other on Roma and Traveller women and girls.
The Commissioner spoke of the teaching of Roma history and culture - essential for “the prevention of prejudice” - recalling the recommendation of the Committee of Ministers on the inclusion of Roma and/or Travellers in school curricula and teaching materials (2020).
These two statements are made against a backdrop of increasing discrimination witnessed during geopolitical and health crises such as the war in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic.
(Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)