On this year's International Roma Day (8 April), Peter Drenth (Netherlands, EPP/CCE), Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, has made the following statement:
"Local and regional authorities remain at the forefront of protecting Roma and Travellers' rights and ensuring their inclusion in our cities and regions - not least through their access to education, adequate housing, healthcare and employment. Given the increasing political polarisation and rise of hate speech that we see in many parts of our continent today, we must redouble efforts to fight stereotypes and dismantle barriers to Roma and Travellers' full participation in our local and regional communities.
"The Congress has sought to ensure Roma and Travellers' inclusion and combat discrimination against them through dedicated reports, projects, campaigns and concrete action on the ground. For example, the Congress engages in peer-to-peer political dialogue with its members, encouraging local and regional authorities across different countries to recognise that Roma communities are an integral part of their societies and should enjoy the same rights as all other citizens. Through this approach, it supports the sharing of experiences and good practices, including efforts to ensure the effective implementation at local level of the European Court of Human Rights' judgments on housing and other issues affecting Roma communities, with the aim of preventing situations such as homelessness and exclusion.
"More than this, positive and proactive steps are needed to highlight the richness of Roma culture and the launch last week, during the Congress' 50th session, of the Opre Roma! Month highlighting Roma history, culture and remembrance was a reminder of Roma and Travellers' invaluable contribution to our common European heritage.
"So, as we celebrate International Roma Day, I call for greater action to mainstream Roma and Travellers' inclusion in local and regional policies and budgets and to ensure their representation in decision making and cultural life of our communities. We must all speak out, act locally, and champion inclusion and dignity for everyone, everywhere."
