Eurocities Network releases a statement on Roma Inclusion. [editar]
EUROCITIES is the network of major European cities. It provides a platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas between the leaders of all major cities in Europe. It influences and works with the EU institutions to respond to common issues that affect the day-to-day lives of European citizens.
04/11/2015
FSG International
Eurocities Network releases a statement on Roma inclusion last 4th of November calling on all stakeholders to tackle the discrimination that Roma are suffering. It also contains recommendation for all stakeholders on Roma inclusion.
The FSG welcomes this statement and underlines the relevant role cities have in combating discrimination of Roma across the European Union.
"Equality and non-discrimination are two core values of the European Union. Yet, despite the existence of an EU framework on Roma inclusion, Roma still face widespread discrimination. Cities have a crucial role to play in protecting the rights of all our residents, including ethnic minorities, and can contribute to tackling social exclusion of Roma in Europe.
City authorities can develop and implement initiatives to combat discrimination and ensure equal access to services for Roma by:
- promoting equal access to social services to which Roma are entitled and ensure the specific needs of Roma are understood and met by service providers
- ensuring Roma do not suffer discrimination and that there is equity in accessing mainstream city services
- taking the necessary steps to ensure equal access to quality and mainstream education for Roma children
- encouraging meaningful participation of Roma communities in the development and implementation of inclusion policies
- striving towards the full social inclusion of Roma in our societies and closing the gap between Roma and non-Roma
- widely communicating our commitment to equal opportunities to stop negative stereotypes of Roma.
We recommend that:
- EU institutions ensure the full implementation of the EU anti-discrimination framework by member states
- The European Commission support member states in meeting the Council recommendation on effective Roma integration
- All member states adhere to their commitment of targeted action to bridge the gap between Roma and the rest of the population; by allocating sufficient resources to the implementation of their national Roma strategies
- The European Commission provide a sustainable platform to foster structural exchange between cities, regions and member states as well as mutual learning and capacity building on Roma inclusion
- All member states involve local stakeholders, including city authorities and Roma representatives, at every stage of implementation of Roma inclusion and related policies, which have a bearing on social cohesion
- The European institutions allocate sufficient financial resources for the social inclusion of Roma, including mobile EU citizens, in need of support".
Access to the full document: https://nws.eurocities.eu/MediaShell/media/EUROCITIES_stmt_Roma_Oct%202015.pdf
← BACK TO MAIN ‘NEWS’ PAGE