Miranda Voulasranta

EUROPE IS CHANGING What challengies do the Nordic City Missions Face

Oslo 24th – 26th August 2011

By Miranda Vuolasranta

Conditions for European Minorities –

A special focus on Roma

THE HISTORY OF THE ROMA

At around 900 - 1100 AD Roma emigration

from India. The wars in the area are regarded as the most

important reason for emigration. The conquerors forced the Roma to look for more peaceful living areas

18th century the linguists discovered that the basis of the Romani language is in Sanskrit and other old Indian languages

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EMIGRATION ROUTE FROM INDIA TO EUROPE

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Despite of the common cultural and ethnic origin Roma are divided to different tribes/clans/vitse according to their traditional trades/professions and spoken Romani language dialect such as:

Caldarash/Kelderara Lovara/RomungriTšerhera/Ursari/RitšhariCále/Kále/Sinti/Manoush

The Roma population is as heterogeneous as other Europeans and should be treated on individual bases

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COMING TO EUROPE The Roma spread all over Europe during the 14th

century The Roma differed from the other Europeans in their

language (romani) and customs (romanipe)

The Feudal System which was based roughly on the inequality of people was in place in Europe

In the Feudal society the Roma were left outside the social classes and the attitudes towards the Roma were negative

Despite of the time of crusades the European Churches declared Roma as pagans not worth to be converted to Christians

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FOR CENTURIES THE ROMA WHERE A

target of persecutions such as:- administrational orders and legislation which was used in attempt to destroy and deport Roma on death threat or imprisonment expelling them from one country to another

- they where haunted, persecuted and dehumanized they met hard labour, slavery and forced assimilation



ROMA AND HOLOCAUST

the latest period of persecutions occurred during the WW II - Roma where the second biggest target group of the national socialistic Nazi genocide

Roma genocide was down silenced untill 1970 when official Germany estimated that 600 000 Roma were killed in Hitler’s gas chambers

1990 the holocaust archives where re-opened by researchers’

the topical figures are speaking of 1,5 – 2 million Roma victims in the holocaust

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Samudaripe or Porajimos ~ Holocaust

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FROM PAST TO PRESENT Different sources are estimating that there is

approximately 10-15 million Roma in Europe Roma are the only pan-European minority 1400 ‑1800 Exile and execution of Roma;

European Churches denies Roma the sacraments and other services of the Church including health care

1978 – 2000 European Intergovernmental Institutions CoE, OSCE, EU started to work for enhancement of Roma rights

2008 European Union Council requested the Member States to start to work for Roma integration

2008 -10 I and II European Union Roma Summit´s organised in Brussels and in Cordoba



POLITICAL AND MORAL CHALLENGE

The inadequate implementation of Roma human rights is the most severe human challenge in Europe today. Within growing economic crises distress of people and dangerous growing extreme right activism on national State levels

There is a growing wave of anti-gypsism and hate-crimes targeted on Roma in different regions of Europe

Violent attacks/hate crimes towards Roma individuals and communities are happening repeatedly – human rights organizations have reported of more than 40 killings of Roma children, women and men during the past two years around Europe

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DIFFERENT VIEW POINTS ON ROMA - COE

CoE Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg CoE Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg 31.03.2008 “In many European countries the Roma 31.03.2008 “In many European countries the Roma population are still denied basic human rights. They population are still denied basic human rights. They remain far behind the majority populations in education, remain far behind the majority populations in education, employment, housing and health standards and have employment, housing and health standards and have virtually no political representation. virtually no political representation.

Many Roma live in abject poverty and have little Many Roma live in abject poverty and have little prospect of improving their lives or integrating within prospect of improving their lives or integrating within wider society. Their exclusion feeds isolationism which wider society. Their exclusion feeds isolationism which in turn encourages Antiziganism among the in turn encourages Antiziganism among the xenophobes. It is absolutely crucial that more efforts be xenophobes. It is absolutely crucial that more efforts be made to break this vicious cycle.”made to break this vicious cycle.”

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CHALLENGE TO OVERCOME POVERTY

According to EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) survey there are 89 million persons living under the minimal living circumstances in other words in poverty inside of EU

8th of April 2011 in Budapest, the European Union Commissioner for Justice Ms Vivianne Reding stated the following: “Roma are still the most discriminated and socially marginalized population group of Europe, whose rights are far back from other European citizens. Solving this issue is demanding serious commitments and a lot of work from all parties the majority society and the Roma minority”

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ROMA EVERYDAY REALITY


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EU POLICY ON ROMA There are topical three big policy priorities in EU:

– Europe 2020 Strategy combating poverty and social inequalities

– Structural Funds Programming period starting 2013– National Roma Integration Strategies

EU is demanding that until the end of 2011, that all EU Member States have to provide the Commission National Roma Integration Strategies and seek funding for Roma inclusion

EU Commission have to oversee efficient collaboration of these policy lines and instruct the national Member States to include Roma integration in these programs

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EU POLICY ON ROMA

On the whole, mainstreaming Roma inclusion in all relevant EU policies should be strengthened. Advancing Roma inclusion should be clearly a part of the:

1. European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion activities and

2. follow-up of the Europe 2020 Strategy.

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CAN WE HELP ?


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YES WE CAN !

There is a clear need for cooperation at the European level on Roma issues on local, national and international level – but everything starts with

ME AND YOU AS INDIVIDUALS


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YES WE CAN – COOPERATION PARTNERS

There are different actors with whom you can cooperate and influence such as:

- EU Parliament national MEPs

- EU Commission > European Roma Integration

Platform working group (via MS ministries, Roma

NGOs)

- Human Rights NGOs such as Amnesty

- Church and Society Commission of

Conference of European Churches (CEC)

- Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of

the European Community (COMECE)

- Eurodiaconia (continue >)

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YES WE CAN – COOPERATION PARTNERS

Council of Europe (CoE) DG Social Cohesion Roma and Travellers Division (Strasbourg)

Office of European Cooperation and Security (OSCE) Office of Roma and Sinti Issues (Warsaw)

European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF) Strasbourg

G.A.T.I.E.F Gypsies and Travellers Evangelical Fellowship LIFE AND LIGHT Organization (France)

Finland´s Roma Forum (FRF) 24.-26.8.2011 EUROPE IS CHANGING - Conditions for European Minorities

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FINLAND´S EXAMPLE The Objectives of Finland for Advancing the European Policy on

Roma Finland’s Handbook on the European Policy on Roma – Working Group Report 2011; Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The group of migrant Roma is not homogeneous. Among them, there are also families looking for more permanent migration. Any expulsion should be undertaken in accordance with international human rights law and fully respect the dignity of the individuals concerned. EU Com. Vivianne Reding.

Ref.:Council of Europe, Committee of Experts on Roma and Travellers (MG-S-ROM), 2010. Opinion on Migration and Freedom of Movement of Roma in Europe (MG-S-ROM (2010) 14), 7 December 2010, Strasbourg.


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FINLANDS`EXAMPLE In the spring of 2008 the City of Helsinki Social

Services Department asked the Helsinki Deaconess Institute to found a project to get into close contact with the Roma begging on the streets to find out reasons for their arrival. The name of the project became Rom po drom (‘Roma on the road’) and it continued for two years.

In the final report of the project, it is concluded that the most important factor for improving the situation of the Roma is the advancement of the social development in their countries of origin. At the street level you can only address the immediate humanitarian need.

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FINLAND´S EXAMPLE - HIRUNDO One of the conclusions of the Rom po drom project was that

beggars, street vendors and street artists should be able to be met in a place where their life situation could be discussed in peace

The Helsinki Deacon Institute, Helsinki Metropolitan area Churches, Helsinki Town Social Services, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland General Synod in cooperation with Finland´s Roma Forum Federation (FRF) decided to open a meeting place for immigrants Hirundo in central district of Helsinki

Hirundo´s goal is to offer the following services:

confidential and intimate discussions (for instance contraceptive advice), small medical operations and state of health evaluations, bathing and laundry facilities, counselling appointments, distribution of information material, group meetings (information and networking meetings), distribution of clothes and toys donated for the project


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New Testament, Galatians 5:14 says the following: The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

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5rd Deuteronomy 14:29 promises a God´s blessing to those who are feeding and showing love to those who doesn't have right to land and share of the inheritance !

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Gospel is bringing blessing /Chance for the better needs your hands !

Proverbs 24:25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them.

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Old Testament 3rd Leviticus Chapter 19. says the following:33.” When an alien lives with you in your land, do not ill-treat him.

34. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native born. Love him as yourself, for you where aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord of your God.”

ROMA ARE WAITING FOR YOUR LOVE !

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WHO IS YOUR FELLOW MAN ? 27th June 2011 the Church and Society Commission of Conference

of European Churches (CEC), the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) together with the Bureau of European Policy Advisors (BEPA) in the European Commission organized a joint Dialogue seminar in Brussels – challenging the society and individuals to wake up and show the Christian Love, charity and compassion for this forgotten people

I am asking from myself today: Am I cursing or blessing the Roma who are seen as foreigners,

non-citizens, non human, frightening, dangerous people or Am I seeing them as those, who are poor and living on the streets,

who where invited by God to the wedding celebration of Christ, instead of those who where rich and did not have time to come and celebrate God´s only Son, who redeemed ALL sinners with his own blood.

Are You the one - send by God - to invite these people inside to experience love and solidarity of Jesus Christ ?

God Bless You All !27EUROPE IS CHANGING - Conditions for European


Miranda Voulasranta

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