10/06/2014
FSG
The session, hold on the 11th June, served as a channel to bring Mr. Morten Kjaerum the main concerns regarding the infringement of fundamental rights faced by the vulnerable groups.
The meeting gathered more than 40 representatives of Spanish social civil organisations, with the aim of present the activities of the Agency as well as to listen the messages on the main concerns of the civil society organisations.
Mr. Morten Kjaerum explained their own areas of concern they have presented to the Ministers of the European Union Council. These are: the right to privacy and data protection; Hate crimes and the violence and offences motivated by racism, xenophobia, religious intolerance, or by a person’s disability, sexual orientation or gender identity; and migration, pointing as the main challenge for the EU developing an internal strategy to give response to the needs derived from migration, while preserving human life.
Right after, civil society organisations addressed several issues related to fundamental right, as racism, migration, asylum seekers, Roma population, disabled people, LGBT rights, hate crimes, gender-based violence, crisis impacts and limits to access to justice and freedom of expression.
Related to Roma community, the different organisations made reference to discrimination as one of the main barriers in relation to the exercise of other human rights, as education (in particular school segregation), employment, health and housing. The living conditions of Roma from Eastern Europe were highlighted, as they face more difficulties on the exercise of fundamental rights.
The session had a high third-sector representation, with diverse approaches, but all of them with the common aim of offering an overview of the current situation regarding fundamental rights in our country. Mr. Morten Kjaerum continued his visit, in which he also met with Spanish Government representatives and other institutions and organisations.
Mr. Morten Kjaerum thanked FSG its support in hosting and organizing this meeting, emphasizing the role of FSG in Roma inclusion and as an example of good practices in Europe
