ERTF reported to the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee on growing anti-Gypsyism in Bulgaria
Paris, 16 November 2011: Today the European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF) presented to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) it’s preliminary findings from the visit in Bulgaria which was organised to a take stock of the wave of anti-Gypsyism resurging at the end of September as well as to assess recent steps taken by the government to improve the situation of Roma in Bulgaria.
ERTF said that the situation of Roma in Bulgaria is worsening from the perspective of human rights protection and social inclusion. The events in Katounitsa and the migration trend of Roma abroad are symptoms of the State’s failure to take responsibility for all its citizens and provide for a climate where Roma can enjoy and fully exercise their rights.
Despite Bulgaria’ legal obligations and political commitments, Roma have continued to live in isolation and deprivation, while being victims of racist attacks and rhetoric by both state and non-state parties. There is a growing fear among the Roma in Bulgaria that the State cannot protect them and that the solution is to flee the country.
Roma have very little knowledge about the existing mechanisms to fight discrimination and they are widely afraid to complain against discrimination or violence against them to the police or other complaints mechanisms because of possible retribution. The ERTF President, Mr Rudko Kawczynski declared that: “We all agree that what happened around Katounitsa case and the response of the Bulgarian government or lack of it are unacceptable! However, without minimising the events, Roma in Bulgaria have been living in a constant isolation and intolerance by the State and their fellow citizens, subject to every day dehumanisation and assault to their dignity as human beings. And that is unacceptable too! Bulgaria has to start taking responsibility for all its citizens, and Roma are part of Bulgaria!”
The ERTF demands the Council of Europe Member States to forcibly condemn anti-Gypsyism, prevent collective criminalisation, introduce guarantee to combat discrimination and segregation and take steps to significantly improve the situation of Roma in their countries.
The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) took note of the ERTF’s preliminary findings and decided to put again on its agenda the situation of Roma in Bulgaria once the ERTF Final Report from this mission is published.
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The European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF), which has a partnership agreement with the Council of Europe and a special status with this institution, is Europe’s largest and most inclusive Roma and Traveller organisation. It brings together Europe’s main international Roma--‐NGOs and more than 1,500 national Roma and Traveller organisations from most of the Council of Europe member states.
For more information please contact the ERTF Secretariat at:
Telephone: +33 3 90 21 53 50
Email: info@ertf.org
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