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Cases of discrimination. Conclusions and recommendations
Conclusions and recommendations
In addition to the areas analysed in this section of the report, the Fundación Secretariado Gitano believes that the
following recommendations should be borne in mind if we are to make headway in the defence of non-discrimination
against the Roma community:
Recommendations
I.
The fight against discrimination and hate crime against the Roma
community should be a priority on the agenda of all political
parties as this is a human rights issue.
II.
Spain should have an independent equality body as called for in
Directive 2000/43/EC.
III.
Spain needs a comprehensive equality act because discriminatory
acts that are not criminal offences also need to be addressed.
IV. National, European and international anti-discrimination legislation
must be legally enforced.
V. Victims of ethnic discrimination need to be informed, advised and
accompanied throughout the process of defending their rights,
including defence before the courts.
VI. It is absolutely essential that victims be able to trust the system
as it responds to the violation of their right to equality and they
should be adequately compensated.
VII. The police protocols adopted to fight discrimination and hate
crimes should be applied, data should be collected and cases
detected should be investigated and prosecuted with particular
attention placed on the discriminatory component.
VIII. Key professionals in this field (police forces, prosecutors, lawyers,
judges, social organisations working with victims, etc.) should be
trained and work in a coordinated fashion.
IX. Training and social awareness-raising activities should be
undertaken to help break down prejudices and stereotypes
against the Roma community.
X.
Authorities responsible for promoting equality between women
and men should develop specific actions to promote non-
discrimination of Roma women, paying special attention to their
diverse social image.
XI. In the case of flagrant acts of anti-Gypsyism, it is vital that all
organisations advocating equality, together with political leaders,
publicly show their forceful rejection of this sort of behaviour.