EUROPEAN ROMA INFORMATION OFFICE
E-NEWS 09/08/2007
Roma labour exchanges to be organised in Bulgaria - Labour Ministry
A labour exchange will be organised in September 2007 in the central Bulgarian town of Stamboliiski, Deputy Labour and Social Policy Minister Baki Hyuseinov said. He presented the results of an opinion poll by the Labour and Social Policy Ministry, called Roma for the Roma. Hyuseinov referred to the appointment of employment intermediaries for the community who could assist in finding jobs for the Roma, according to Bulgarian news agency BTA.
The Labour and Social Policy Ministry aims to ensure permanent employment for the Roma minority. According to the poll, successful Roma businessmen and leaders could serve as important role models, and assist in finding better employment for Roma people. There was also hope that these leaders could help secure fellowships for talented children and students. The ministry also plans to promote entrepreneurship among the Roma community.
Education for children is of primary importance for Roma families, said Emilia Voinova, director of the Ministry's Demographic Policy and Equal Opportunities Directorate. The importance of having Roma teachers in schools was also emphasised. Elka Dimitrova, director of Labour Market Policy Directorate, said that the social employment programme includes about 18 000 Roma.
http://www.sofiaech o.com/article/ roma-labour- exchanges- to-be-organised- in-bulgaria- ---labour- ministry/ id_24154/ catid_66
Bulgarian Discrimination Watchdog Says Sofia Cart Ban Discriminatory
Bulgaria's anti-discrimination body said on Monday that the ban imposed by the Sofia city hall created the premises for discrimination against the Roma community, suggesting the city amended its traffic regulations. The municipal council passed last year new regulations, which banned any animal-drawn vehicles from entering a number of key thoroughfares and the city downtown.
The new rules effectively prevent the Roma population, who own few cars but many carts, in several districts of the city from leaving those areas, the discrimination watchdog said. The Sofia city hall has two weeks to protest the ruling at the Supreme Administrative Court. But with the municipal council adjourning until September for its summer break, which will be closely followed by the start of the electoral campaign for the local polls in autumn, it could be that the issue will remain on the back-burner until the turn of the year.
http://www.novinite .com/view_ news.php? id=83644
Understanding The Reality
By Andrew Hillard
Between the cities of Poprad, Levoca and Spiska Nova Ves sits the tiny village of Letunovce. With magnificent rolling hills and dense forests as far as the eye can see it is a place of unspoilt beauty only an hour away from the breathtaking tourist paradise of the High Tatra mountains.
Scattered here on the side of a hill at the edge of a forest is another scene that captures the eye, though neither for beauty nor tourist potential. It is the makeshift slum that is home to around 500 Roma. But here in Letunovce as with most rural areas underdevelopment and unemployment statistically sit side by side. The Roma of Letunovce are viewed locally as a problem and a nuisance. Stories of widespread stealing and lawlessness are commonplace. Yet these men women and children live out their existence in the rapidly prospering EU country without electricity running water and sanitation. And what of the many children who by the time they are able to will probably become parents themselves? The coming generation of under 11's are a massive focus group for what is to be fully understood before it can be transformed.
Full article on http://www.jpgmag. com/stories/ 1208/
Roma people enjoy theater with EU funds
Today's Zaman, Izmir
A group of Roma is attempting with the help of funding from the European Union to keep a theater group alive that is portraying Roma life through the medium of theater.
The members are mostly Roma living in Izmir who have put on a play titled "The Whole World Disguised as My Country: Roma" about the lives of their people. They play has been staged seven times and they hope to continue their theater after the EU funds run out.
Yakup Çardak, president of the Roma Cultural and Social Association, noted that the EU gave the Roma people 44,836 euros for a project to introduce Roma culture through theater. This budget employed six professional actors and 20 Roma who had never been to a theater before. Çardak said the play, directed by Haluk Isik, staged multiple times and that they are trying hard to keep the group intact.
"We have a very nice group. The Roma people in the play are not highly educated. They are really gypsies. They put their life in the play as a musical and they liked it very much. We need a sponsor to support us. People in society are prejudiced against Roma people. With our theater group we want to break that and prove that gypsies can do good things, too."
Strasbourg and Bulgaria's violent police
Several dozen people suffering from gas intoxication, three of them requiring medical eatment for rashes and pain in their eyes, and one for head injuries; this was the legacy of a visit by the Bulgarian police to the site of an unauthorised coal miners' strike in the south a few weeks ago.
"When my officers carry out orders, I support them," Interior Minister Roumen Petkov said after the event.
Petkov justified the police brutality, saying that the protesters had violated the local mayor's orders about where to hold their strike. Workers from the Maritsa-Iztok mines had blocked the road between Svilengrad and Ruse as part of their protest against low wages. Instead of decreasing as the country develops and integrates with the European Union, critics say excessive and unnecessary police violence not only remains a problem in Bulgaria, but is getting worse. They claim a mixture of low standards, controversial legislation and ineffective prosecution of police who abuse their position stand behind this trend.
Full article on http://www.sofiaech o.com/article/ strasbourg- and-bulgarias- violent-police/ id_24217/ catid_5
Roma Face Coercive Sterilization
PRAGUE - For almost two decades now it has been possible for just about anyone from the outside world, including people from the formerly taboo democracies of the "West," to freely visit countries which were once satellites of the former Soviet Union. Indeed, the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, has quickly become a favorite European tourist destination due to its millennium of preserved architecture. Former dissident Vaclav Havel, the playwright and one-time president, continues to be the main personality on the international stage associated with the country's peaceful transition to democracy.
Read more on http://www.infoshop .org/inews/ article.php? story=2007080523 5707645
25 illegal buildings demolished near Bulgaria`s Stara Zagora
Illegal dwellings in the forests near the Bulgarian town of Stara Zagora are to be demolished as part of fire control measures. The demolitions began on July 30 2007 and will continue over the coming days, Stara Zagora mayor Evgenii Zhelev said, as quoted by Focus news agency. The buildings are in the Lozenets district.
Some of the buildings marked for demolition are sheds. There are five to six larger buildings. The buildings are illegal and had been built without permission on state-owned land. Some of the Roma families living in the houses were not officially registered as resident in Stara Zagora and therefore the municipality had no obligation towards them, Zhelev said. Demolitions on July 30 had caused tension in the Roma community, Zhelev said.
There were more than 12 000 fires in Bulgaria in June and July 2007, causing a loss of millions of sq m of forests.
http://www.sofiaech o.com/article/ 25-illegal- buildings- demolished- near-bulgarias- stara-zagora/ id_24119/ catid_66
The road less travelled
The Roma in films are a byword for adventure and song. How about showing them as human beings, says Louise Doughty
There is a sex scene with a twist in the film Transylvania. The hero and heroine have stumbled drunkenly out of a bar and are making passionate love on a car bonnet. The beautiful Zingarina, played by Asia Argento, is in love with someone else; her companion Tchangalo (Birol Unel) is a shady figure. Here they are, shouting at and slapping each other - giving it some, in other words. Then Zingarina freezes. "Don't move," she whispers. From her vantage point, she can see what he cannot - a black bear foraging in a rubbish bin. Suddenly sober, they slink into the car.
Full article on http://film. guardian. co.uk/features/ featurepages/ 0,,2138391, 00.html
Toyota accelerates education in Romania
Toyota Romania has joined our efforts to eradicate school abandonment by becoming the ninth Major Investor* in the Fiecare Copil in Scoala initiative. The four-wheel drive RAV 4 donated to Ovidiu Rom will be used to transport staff and materials to hard-to-reach villages throughout Romania.
"We are so grateful to have Toyota, the world's largest auto manufacturer, as an ally in our drive to get every child in school," declared Leslie Hawke at the official delivery.
* Major Investors are companies that contribute over 25,000 ? per year to Fiecare Copil in Scoala.
Ovidiu Rom Newsletter
Serbian Roma seek Romanian asylum
Source: B92
BUCHAREST, BELGRADE -- Some 60 Roma from Serbia have crossed to Romania illegally seeking political asylum, but are likely to be deported.
The Romas have been placed in refugee centers, while the Romanian border police increased the frequency of patrols along the border with Serbia. Roma ethnic parties in Serbia say that many of those involved in the incident were returned from the EU countries as part of the readmission agreement Belgrade has with Brussels, but have not been provided with possibilities to rebuild their lives by the state. Representatives of the Serbian embassy in Bucharest say that the persons who illegally crossed into Romania have given different reasons for their decision to seek political asylum.
"Most of them will without any doubt be deported back to Serbia, since they do not meet a single condition for being granted political asylum, nor was there any rational reason for them to leave the Serbian territory," Human and Minority Rights Service Director Petar Ladevic told reporters. Ladevic added his office expected to receive the list with the names of the illegal emigrants shortly.
New local Roma coordinator facing challenges
CTK
Kladno, July 31 (CTK) - Ludmila Svecova will take up the post of Romany coordinator in the Central Bohemian town of Kladno on Wednesday, thus replacing outgoing coordinator Anton Lukac, Kladno town hall spokesman Petra Kucerova told CTK Tuesday. In June, Lukac was embroiled in a scuffle between the guests to a Romany party with the municipal police.
One of the participants in the party attacked a municipal police officer who tried to calm them down at 2 a.m. Lukac allegedly shouted at the police that they were racists and that he would make them sacked. Kladno police spokeswoman Jirina Forejtova said Lukac had apologised to the police. Most Kladno residents see co-existence with Romanies problematic.
More on http://launch. praguemonitor. com/en/138/ czech_national_ news/10216/
Case of Cobzaru vs Romania - July 2007 - in English
In this case concerning the beating of an ethnic Roma by police officers while in custody the Court held that Romania is responsible for breaches of the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment (Article 3), the right to an effective remedy (Article 13) and the prohibition of discrimination (Article 14).
http://dev.eurac. edu:8085/ mugs2/do/ blob.html? type=html& serial=118578447 2004
Decision no. 92/2007 of the National Council Combating Discrimination regarding offensive language used by Mr. Traian Basescu, the president of Romania - May 2007 - in Romanian
While shopping with his wife in a supermarket where camera where not allowed, president Basescu was filmed with a mobile phone by a female journalist. Apparently annoyed by the insistence of the journalist, he asked her if she has nothing else to do using an offensive word (?chick?) and the he simply took her mobile. The phone was not switched off immediately so it recorded the president saying to his wife "How aggressive was this filthy gypsy!? The next day the phone was returned to the journalist and his words became public. The National Council Combating Discrimination decided that using the word ?chick? was not gender discrimination although "the language used is not appropriate and sends negative messages in public space, taking into account the high official position of Traian Basescu." Regarding the expression "filthy gypsy", National Council Combating Discrimination decided that it represents discrimination against Roma minority and sanctioned president Basescu with a warning.
http://dev.eurac. edu:8085/ mugs2/do/ blob.pdf? type=pdf& serial=118546130 1086
Second Report of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia on the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of national minorities - June 2006 - in English and Macedonian
The report was prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affaires in cooperation with the competent agencies and it was submitted to the NGOs for comments and opinions. It is a report which is containing full information on legislative and other measures taken to give effect to the principles of the Framework Convention.
http://dev.eurac. edu:8085/ mugs2/do/ blob.pdf? type=pdf& serial=118467940 1164
False starts: The exclusion of Romani children from primary education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia - November 2006 - in English
This report highlights the lack of access of Romani children to primary education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia. The authorities in these states have failed to respect and protect the right to education and they also have not fulfilled the right to education of Romani children by promoting their full inclusion in education.
http://dev.eurac. edu:8085/ mugs2/do/ blob.html? type=html& serial=118475576 4303
Sarajevo Declaration for Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro - January 2005 - in English
The declaration confirms the commitment of the three countries to create adequate conditions to enable refugee return in the region and to support refugees who choose to stay in their host countries.
http://dev.eurac. edu:8085/ mugs2/do/ blob.pdf? type=pdf& serial=118468505 1143
CoE FCNM: Georgia and Montenegro submit initial reports
STRASBOURG - On 16.7.2007 and 25.7.2007 Georgia and The Republic of Montenegro accordingly submitted in English their state reports pursuant to Article 25, paragraph 1, of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. It is now up to the Advisory Committee to consider it and adopt an opinion intended for the Committee of Ministers.
www.coe.int/ minorities
CoE FCNM: Bosnia and Herzegovina submits its second report
STRASBOURG, 2.8.2007 - Bosnia and Herzegovina has just submitted its second state report in English, pursuant to Article 25, paragraph 1, of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. It is now up to the Advisory Committee to consider it and adopt an opinion intended for the Committee of Ministers.
www.coe.int/ minorities
European Yearbook of Minority Issues, Volume 5 2005/2006
ECMI and EURAC are pleased to announce the publication of Vol. 5, 2005/2006 of the European Yearbook of Minority Issues.
The European Yearbook of Minority Issues provides a critical and timely review of contemporary developments in minority-majority relations in Europe. It combines analysis, commentary and documentation in relation to conflict management, international legal developments and domestic legislation affecting minorities in Europe.
Part I contains scholarly articles, and, in 2005/6, features two special focus sections on The Concept of 'Nation' and The Balkan Region.
Part II reviews the implementation of minority legislation and international standards at the universal and regional levels as well as new developments in relation to them.
Apart from providing a unique annual overview of minority issues for both scholars and practitioners in this field, the Yearbook is an indispensable reference tool for libraries, research institutes as well as governments and international organizations.
The European Yearbook is edited in collaboration with the Minorities and Regional Autonomies Department of the European Academy Bozen/Bolzano. Volume 6 will appear in early 2008.
The table of contents of the European Yearbook of Minority Issues, Vol. 5, 2005/2006 can be found here: http://www.ecmi. de/rubrik/ 55/european+ yearbook/
Isolated Abused And Victims Of Decades Of Persecution
WALKING the network of streets in the heart of Govanhill is a primer for the confused and warring nature of race relations in 21st century Scotland. Local white people and those of Asian origin throw the most appalling slurs at the latest incomers to the area - the Roma community. The Roma people tend to stick together - isolated by language - unwittingly adding to the tension between them and their neighbours.
Read more on http://www.sundayhe rald.com/ news/heraldnews/ display.var. 1596667.0. isolated_ abused_and_ victims_of_ decades_of_ persecution. php
ECRE - European Council on Refugees and Exiles
Internship, Eastern Europe Policy Research & Capacity building, London
Deadline: 17 August
http://www.ecre. org/files/ ECRE%20Eastern% 20Europe% 20Intern% 20JD%20Summer% 202007.doc
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The ERIO cooperates with a network of a large number of organizations and acts to combat racial discrimination and social exclusion through awareness raising, lobbying and policy development.
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