Spanish Congress urges government to declare the 8th of April as Roma people´s day, recognizing the Roma flag and anthem. [editar]
On March 9th, the Health and Social Services commission of the Spanish Congress approved by unanimity a No Law Proposition recognizing the Roma people´s day and symbols. The proposition: “ urges the Government to declare the date April 8th as Roma People's Day, recognizing the blue and green flag with a red 16 spoke wheel as the official flag and the Gelem Gelem as Roma People's anthem”.
This decision will permit these symbols to be used formally in institutional events, acts and commemorations related to Roma People.
From the Fundación Secretariado Gitano we celebrate this initiative which, although long waited for, means an institutonial recognisition to the symbols and identity of a community with its own history and culture. Established in Spain more than five centuries ago, Roma have survived numerous persecutions and discrimination. A treatment that, unfortunately, remains nowadays.
From the FSG, we believe this recognition will be useful to introduce these Roma symbols to society, and this permit an approachment to the history and a culture of the Roma, which remain unknown for the majority population. We are coincident with some parlamientary groups (Ciudadanos, Podemos) which, although clearly supporting this Proposition, admitted it still insufficient. Precisely, the situation of inequality and discrimination suffered by the Roma community will not be solved merely by institutional recognition, but it is a symbolic gesture that contributes to send a message of belonging to the Spanish citizenship.
Besides this institutional recognition, we believe it is necessary to implement specific measures to reduce the large inequality gap that affects Roma people, especially in education, guaranteeing Roma students to finish obligatory secondary education. Also in employment, it is needed to promote their access to the laboral market. As well in housing, eradicating slums and reducing sub housing. Same time combating the serious problem of anti-Gypsyism, and promoting equality.
Until then, from the FSG we welcome this initiative which, in the words of the representative of Grupo Parlamentario de Esquerra Republicana in the Commission, “clears the pendant debt of the Spanish State with Roma people”.
