European watchdog blasts failure for Roma rights

(VIENNA) - A European Union rights watchdog blasted a "year of failure" in fighting discrimination against gypsies, in a report marking International Roma Day on Thursday.

"International Roma Day 2010 marks another year of failure to adequately address Roma discrimination in Europe," the Vienna-based Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) said in a statement.

A recent FRA report on ethnic minorities in Europe showed that Roma were the most common victims of discrimination.

Over the past year, 25 percent were the target of assaults, threats or harassment. And yet, between 66 and 92 percent had not reported the most recent incident.

"There are areas where improvements can be seen, but in too many places the situation is worse," said FRA director Morten Kjaerum, as a two-day European summit for Roma was due to kick off in the Spanish city of Corboda.

"EU and national authorities must now speak out against anti-Gypsyism," he noted, calling for "a join-up EU approach" to the problem.

Practical measures must be introduced to promote Roma inclusion in society, but gypsy groups must also be consulted when drawing up these plans, Kjaerum insisted.

There are about 10 million Roma in Europe and they are one of the poorest and fastest growing minorities on the continent.

The leader of Austria's Roma community Rudolf Sarkozi also called on Brussels Thursday to exert more pressure on national governments who do too little to combat discrimination against gypsies.

"Brussels must call national states to order," Sarkozi told the Austrian daily Kurier, repeating the call by Roma groups for a specific EU commissioner on minority affairs.

Communication on Roma in Europe and Progress Report 
on Roma inclusion 2008-2010 - briefing

Fundamental Rights Agency