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Discrimination and the Roma Community 2014
Recommendations
I.
Social awareness-raising actions need to be developed to promote awareness
of the heterogeneous reality of the Roma community and to make the serious
consequences of discrimination more visible.
II.
We are in need of an effective information mechanism to help defend potential
victims of discrimination and should use the work model generated to prevent and
condemn gender-based violence.
III.
Greater involvement of the judicial sector in the defence of Equality is required
and a specific module on this subject, with particular reference to European case
law in combating discrimination, should be included in the training programmes of
our legal sector (judges, prosecutors and lawyers).
IV.
Given the blatant violation of human rights of this minority group, institutions,
political leaders and social institutions should act and publicly display their
resounding rejection of such behaviour.
V.
We must raise the awareness of the media and establish an agile and effective
legal procedure allowing the immediate removal of content that promotes social
rejection and incites hatred of the Roma community in the media.
VI.
Protecting the right to non-discrimination should be a priority for law enforcement
officials, courts, education and labour inspection services, consumer and user
offices, ombudsmen, etc.
VII. In their electoral programmes and ensuing work, all political parties should promote
the prevention and eradication of racial and ethnic discrimination by implementing
concrete actions.
VIII. Identification tools and protocols need to be developed in a coordinated effort
between hate and discrimination prosecutors, police, courts and social institutions.
IX.
Spain must create the independent equality body as ordered under Directive
2000/43/EC. The independent nature of this body will contribute to the effective
assistance and protection of victims of discrimination.
X.
Action should be taken by a coalition among all European countries in light of
the deplorable acts of discrimination and hatred perpetrated against the Roma
community in Europe. We simply cannot look the other way when fundamental
rights are at stake.
XI.
Comprehensive and effective accompaniment of victims of discrimination is
urgently needed and must include the entire process, including legal defence.