Presentation of the Roma Pride initiative

Brussels, Ile de France Europe June 11th 2014

Who are we? What do we do?◦ EUROPEAN network gathering the main

ANTIRACIST NGOs from 30 countries◦ Structure European civil society against racism,

antisemitism and racial discrimination◦ Implementing GRASSROOTS actions in Europe◦ Lobbying EU institutions◦ Empowering leaders of the MOVEMENT with

training and networking

Main actions

European Mobilisation to raise awareness and denounce racial discrimination in Europe

Training organizations on discriminations and Testing

Testing discrimination in nightlife places, on housing and job markets◦ Ex : In 2014, we tested discrimination in 8 countries, 25%

of discrimination

Working with local authorities for concrete solutions

European Testing Campaigns

European Testing Campaigns (2)

Illustration : 20minutes.fr

Mobilizing the European Society against neonazism and for democracy in Greece ◦ We are all Greek Jews

campaign, signed by Nobel Prize winners and published in 25 countries

◦ 10 000 people demonstration in central Athens

Fighting Far right Movements in Europe

Protecting civil liberties in Hungary◦ Lobbying the European Parliament to denounce civil

liberties violations ◦ European Meeting for democracy in Budapest,

November 2013

Fighting Far right Movements in Europe

European Delegation to the Commemorations of the Armenian Genocide in Turkey

◦ Delegation of European leaders and Armenian Diaspora leaders to Turkey

◦ Meeting Turkish civil society and Youth leaders

◦ Commemorating the Armenian Genocide

◦ Working together for recognition

Fighting against Genocide Denial

Fighting against Genocide Denial

Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in Istanbul, April 24 th 2014

European Seminar on the History of the Holocaust and Nazi Persecutions against the Roma people.

1 week training on historical issues for leaders of Roma and antiracist NGOs

60 leaders from 39 organizations from 27 countries Exchanging expertise in fighting anti-Semitism and racism against

the Roma communities

Fighting against Genocide Denial

Institutions Activities

European Commission

Constant work with DG Justice, several meetings with about 20 European high Civil servants.

European Parliament Meetings and connections with about 300 MEPs. We are all Greek Jews Campaign Lobbying campaign for the adoption of Tavares report on Hungary – Contact with all MEPs.

Council of Europe Constant work with the Roma and Travellers department, Commissioner for Human Rights, ECRI, President with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

National Decision Makers

Several meetings with high level politicians : French Ministries, MPs and Presidency, Greek PM and main party leaders, Norwegian Ministers and MPs…

High level of political support

Nobel Prize Winners support (Elie Wiesel, Dario Fo), European leaders support (Bernard Kouchner, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Adam Michnik, Jovan Dijvak)

Lobbying activities High level of institutional and political influence

Group of experts and organizations specialized in Human Rights violations and litigation established in December 2013

First fieldwork led in Kiev, Ukraine

Interviews, reports, collecting evidences

Report on Human Rights Violations during Maidan violence submitted to International organizations (CoE, UN, OSCE, Ukrainian gov)

European Task Force for Human Rights

Maidan Square, Ukraine, Feb 2014

Context : ◦ Rise in racial discrimination and racist violence◦ Local authorities can act

Objectives : ◦ Share best local policies practices against racism and racial discrimination.◦ Create long term partnerships between European civil society and local

authorities.◦ Make local policies design and implementation easier and more efficient.

40 local authorities and 35 NGOs involved

Outcomes : ◦ Meetings between stakeholders to exchange best practices – European Guide of

Best practices◦ Conduct project together : training of local civil societies on Testing, Roma Pride◦ Advice in policy making

The Alliance of NGOs and Local authorities against racial discrimination

Roma PrideEuropean mobilization for the dignity of Roma

people

Roma Pride : Mobilization that takes place in several countries

on the same day, 1st week end of October It is both a cultural and political mobilization

Objectives : Promote the diversity of Roma cultures Denounce racism, discrimination and hardships

faced by Roma communities Call for equality, equal enjoyment of rights and

equal dignity for all

Concept

Coordinated by EGAM at the European level

European Roma Pride Manifesto : “For the Dignity of Roma People in Europe : Roma Pride !” published in 15

newspapers in 15 countries.

Organized locally by a Roma organization and an antiracist NGO, member of EGAM.

It allows to launch an alliance between Roma and non-Roma organizations for:

◦ Better mutual understanding ◦ Exchange of expertise◦ Enhancement of institutional and political protection and power.

National coalitions can then be broadened with other HR NGOs, influential artists and intellectuals.

Structure of the mobilization

Roma issues training and planing Meeting

June each year

Sofia 2012, Bucharest 2011 and 2013, Prague 2014

Representatives of 30 Roma and antiracist organizations from 16 countries

Receive Training on Roma histories, and contemporary challenges

Worked on the shape mobilization and exchanged on best activities to be implemented

October 6th Roma Pride Bulgaria Organizations

Amalipe Centre

Bulgarian Helsinki Committee

Activities • 2 day film festival on Roma cultures and histories

• Series of concerts, exhibitions, shows, contests, cultural programs in 11 cities in Bulgaria

October 6th Roma Pride Czech Republic

Organizations

KonnexeCzech Helsinki Committee

Activities • March along the riverside to the Old Town

• Panel discussion

•Ecumenical Service

October 6th Roma Pride DenmarkOrganizations

SOS Mod Racism New Roma Organization in Denmark

Activities Screening of the documentary “The forgotten genocide” followed by debate and meeting with journalists

October 6th Roma Pride EstoniaOrganizations

Estonian institute for Human Rights North Estonian Roma Association

Activities Roundtables between NGOs and government officials on Roma issues in Estonia : education, culture, living conditions.

Italy Organization

SOS Razzismo

Activities Exhibition of photographs on the Roma community in « city alternative economy » in Rome and debates.

October 6th Roma Pride France Organizations

SOS RacismeUFAT

Activities Concerts of Gypsy Bands directed by Tony Gatlif and Yvan Le Bolloch’

Political speeches

October 6th Roma Pride Montenegro Organizations

Civic Alliance

Activities Public awareness raising initiatives : Gathering on public square, discussion with the public, role models.

October 6th Roma Pride Norway Poland

Organizations

Roma People Association in Poland

Activities Workshops for youth in the Krakow region on History and Memory of the Roma Genocide

Organizations

The Norwegian Antiracist Centre

Activities Report on Racism, discrimination and living conditions of Roma people in Olso

Followed by press conference and debates

October 6th Roma Pride Serbia Turkey

Organizations

DurDe!Romankara

Activities Screenings of the documentary on the Roma Genocide the « Forgotten Genocide »

followed by panel discussions and debates in Istanbul and Izmir

Organizations

Regional Centre for Minorities

Activities Workshops, debate, screening and concert at the Rex Cultural Centre, belgrade

October 6th Roma Pride

Vienna, Austria

October 6th Roma Pride

Prague, Czech Republic

October 6th Roma Pride

Paris, France

Fight against racism and discrimination targeting Roma people

2

2012 – 2013 Initiatives

Budapest, Hungary

Structured mobilization of European and national civil societies in the defense of Roma Rights ◦ End of Ataka’s demonstrations in Bulgaria ◦ Large demonstrations in Romania, Czech Republic and Hungary

Several public events in many countries in Europe in order to raise awareness among the general population and decision makers on situations faced by Roma communities◦ Mobilization in Sweden against Police profiling

Direct media attention and advocacy activities in order to obtain legal

improvements and changes in policy making◦ Ex : loi 1969 in France

More empowered and protected national Roma and non-Roma NGOs (training, European dimension, exchange of expertise)

Impacts

Preparatory Meeting : Prague, Starting today for 4 days – 16 countries –

24 NGOs – 40 participants. Including grassoots actions in Czech Republic :

Commemorations in Lety, Working in Usti ghetto

Roma Pride :2013 : 10 countries Objective for 2014 : 20 countries, October 5th 2014Working with local authoritiesImprove Roma communities’ involvment

Next steps for 2014

Thank you

Bucharest, Romania