Slovakia Urged to Take Care of its Roma Population

The situation of Roma in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the problems they are facing in Western Europe are one of the most serious concerning European minorities. For the new EU members, improving the situation of the Roma population was one of the condition of getting the full membership, and the general standard improved, but still they are confronted with serious inequalities and discriminations in terms of recognition of their basic human rights. In addition, in comparison with other minorities, they are lacking a strong and self-aware intellectual leadership able to support their rights. In the case of Roma, we can say that as majorities, we could easily identify them on the street, we can shout their ethnic belonging but, in fact, what we know about them is almost nothing. Their world is still a mistery, but not one that propel us towards dreaming, but one when ignorance kills. Isabel Fonseca is among the few researchers who made a personal journey in the life of Roma communities in Central and Eastern Europe, experiences gathered in a very interesting book. OSI devoted several exhibitions and studies to Roma, among which Rolf Bauerdick's insights of the Roma of Central and Eastern Europe.

Tolerance.ca

Amidst grand celebrations over its switch to euro and entry into euroclub, Universal Society of Hinduism president, Rajan Zed, has urged Slovakia to take care of its most disadvantaged Roma population and stop human rights violations reportedly suffered by them.

Zed says that in Slovakia, Roma reportedly live in deep poverty and many of their children study in segregated schools offering inferior quality education and many do not attend school at all.

Alarming condition of Roma is a social blight for Slovakia and the European Union as they reportedly regularly face social exclusion, racism, substandard education, hostility, joblessness, rampant illness, inadequate housing, lower life expectancy, unrest, living on desperate margins, stereotypes, mistrust, rights violations, discrimination, marginalization, appalling living conditions, prejudice, human rights abuse, unusually high unemployment rates, etc., Rajan Zed argues.

It is like an undeclared apartheid and it is almost total societal exclusion of Roma. The maltreatment of Roma is outside even the European Union norms. Roma issue should be one of the highest priorities of human rights agenda of Slovakia. Strong political will is needed to resolve this, Zed points out.

Roma inclusion and integration programs need to immediately take off the ground providing them with better health and education avenues, higher economic opportunities, sources of empowerment and participation, etc. Expand their access to preschool education, let their children attend mainstream schools and launch awareness campaigns. Available Roma workforce, if utilized effectively, can bring unexpected economic gains to Slovakia, Zed says.

Rajan Zed suggests that Slovakia might need help in improving the plight of Roma. A comprehensive, sustainable, cohesive and integrated Europe-wide policy with strategic focus is needed to target discrimination against Roma and their integration; providing them equal access to education, employment, public services, housing, and health care; empowerment through participation; increased transparency of authorities; improving their material and human rights situation, etc. Involve Roma in policymaking and its implementation and assessment. Establish a monitoring body for programs and projects.

Zed says that all world religions, denominations and religious leaders should also come out in support of the cause of this distinct ethnic and cultural group of Roma, because religion teaches us to help the helpless.