The 8th April was the International Romani day, also known as International Roma Day. It was first declared in 1990 in Poland, in honour of the first major international meeting of Romani representatives, which took place on 7–12 April 1971 in Chelsfield, near London.
Each year this day is an opportunity for us all to celebrate Romani culture and raise awareness of challenges Roma people are facing nowadays. International Roma Day, in fact, should draw attention to discrimination directed at Roma and Gypsy communities at a global level, and is a call for the human rights of all to be respected and observed.
“The success (or failure) of Roma integration is a test of Europe’s ability to provide decent conditions for any vulnerable group”, reported the European Union agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). These groups have the same rights as all Europeans to live in dignity, to work, to receive an education, decent housing and healthcare. Unfortunately, several studies demonstrate a high level of discrimination and hate crime faced by Roma throughout the EU. FRA survey, for instance, indicates that every second a Roma was discriminated against over the previous year and a fifth of the Roma interviewed was victim of racist assault, threat or serious harassment. “For the fundamental rights of Roma to become reality, (…) authorities need to wake up to their responsibilities”, argued the EU agency. (suite…)