Statutory Forum of the Congress of Local and regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

Strasbourg, 17 June 2011

Speech by John Warmisham, Congress Thematic Rapporteur on Roma/Travellers issues

Mr President,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear colleagues,

I would like to begin by quoting the statement of Congress President Keith Whitmore, made this year on the occasion of International Day of Roma, 8 April:

“Today, Roma remain one of the most marginalised populations in Europe, victims of the persistent discrimination, prejudice and hate speech directed against them. They continue to be discriminated against when it comes to access to housing, to education, to health care and in finding jobs. They simply do not enjoy the same opportunities in life as others. This prejudice and discrimination are a gross violation of their human rights. On a continent which declares equality and inclusion as its fundamental values, and puts the welfare of its citizens as its primary objective, we should be ashamed of the situation of 12 million of our fellow Europeans, that is to say the Roma and Travellers living in the Council of Europe member states.” – end of quote.

It is a shame indeed that in Europe, a continent which has placed the well-being of its people and social inclusion for all at the heart of its democratic development, Roma are still treated as second-class citizens and are often excluded from full participation in society, and from full access to their social rights. Let us be honest: negative attitudes towards Roma are still very much widespread, also among elected representatives, and in particular at the local level. Far too many Roma are still “guilty by association”, carrying around a baggage of stereotypes against them and hitting a “glass ceiling” or a “glass wall”, whichever image you choose, as far as their opportunities in life are concerned. 

This situation must change, and it is at the local level where the drive for change must begin. Local and regional authorities have a key role to play in improving the situation of Roma, because it is in our communities where concrete initiatives and measures can be most effectively implemented. Today, we are encouraged to see a growing realisation of this simple truth, with more and more initiatives for Roma being taken in European municipalities and regions which are joining in networks, both national and transnational, to address the situation of Roma.

It is also encouraging that both European political institutions and civil society are becoming increasingly involved with the issue, putting forward various strategies and proposals for action – I am speaking in particular about the Council of Europe, the European Union with its Economic and Social Committee and its Fundamental Rights Agency, the OSCE and, at local and regional level, the EU Committee of the Regions and our Congress.

The initiative to organise a Summit of Mayors on Roma was inspired by this multitude of actors and proposals for action, as a way of bringing together the numerous local and regional initiatives and networks, institutional partners and Roma organisations themselves, to achieve several objectives:

- to reaffirm the political commitment of local and regional authorities to improve the situation of Roma, establish their responsibilities with regard to Roma and decide on guiding principles for local and regional action;

- to take stock of the current situation and exchange experience and good practices to improve it;

- to call on local and regional authorities to become involved and take action, and in particular to set up national networks in countries where they don’t exist;

- to clarify the sharing of responsibilities with regard to Roma between local/regional, national and European level;

- and, most importantly, to agree a co-operation framework for future activities, which would serve as a platform for coordinating local and regional action, pulling resources and sharing good practices.

This future co-operation framework could organise working groups on specific subjects – for instance, education, combating anti-Gypsyism, promoting Roma participation, or access to housing, health care and employment. It could be led by a Steering Group or a Task Force of committed cities and regions, and present a “united front” in ensuring external funding for Roma activities.

A Council of Europe expert consultant, Dr Robin Oakley, is preparing a concept paper on the operation of such a framework, while Mr Jose Manuel Fresno, President of the Fundación Secretariado Gitano, a successful network of Spanish cities, has agreed to be General Rapporteur of the Summit and to be involved in its follow-up.

The Summit will also be a kind of pan-European discussion of proposals for action, which will be included in my report on the situation of Roma: a challenge for local and regional authorities.

Its overall aim, however, is to bring together both sides of the spectrum to look at how we can build mutual trust at the grassroots level between the Roma population and the rest of local and regional communities which, in our view, is the main challenge to success. A lack of trust is often a primary obstacle to our work on the ground, and the need for mutual confidence is reflected in the Summit slogan: “Building mutual trust at grassroots”.

The provisional programme of the Summit has just been finalised, and will include in particular panel discussions and workshops on specific subjects of Roma education, overcoming prejudice and combating discrimination as far as access to housing, health care and employment is concerned.

The invitations are currently being sent to several categories of participants, namely:

- cities and regions represented in the Congress, with an interest in Roma issues, and in particular those that responded to our questionnaire on Roma activities, which was sent out to all Congress members;

- cities and regions participating in national and European networks active specifically on Roma issues;

- cities participating in the Council of Europe training programme for Roma mediators;

- cities and regions with Roma mayors and municipal/regional councillors;

- specific cities and regions which are noted for their work on Roma or for their large Roma community, or which expressed their interest in joining in action on Roma, and in particular those having won the Dosta!-Congress Prize for Municipalities or participating in the current edition of the Prize;

- national and European associations of local and regional authorities;

- finally, municipalities participating in broader European networks which are also dealing with Roma, although not exclusively – for example, the Strasbourg Club, Eurocities, Intercultural Cities or Cities for Local Integration Policy.

On the other side of the spectrum, we are inviting Roma networks and organisations – including Roma youth organizations – to discuss the existing problems with local and regional authorities face to face, so to speak. Last but not least, the third large category are institutional and  civil society partners involved in Roma inclusion.

The Congress is organising this Summit of Mayors in close co-operation with the Special Representative of the Council of Europe Secretary General, Mr Jeroen Schokkenbroek, and in partnership with our host the City of Strasbourg and the Strasbourg Club. The Roma Committee of the Strasbourg Club is planning its meeting on the eve of the Summit and will participate in the Summit itself, which will take place, as President Whitmore has just said, on 22 September here in the Palais de l’Europe.  

Council of Europe Secretary General Jagland announced already the Summit at the Ministerial Session of the Committee of Ministers in Istanbul on 11 May, and the Permanent Representations of member states in Strasbourg are following the preparation of this event with great interest. I have also had an opportunity to speak about the Summit at the General Assembly of the European Roma and Travellers Forum, in Strasbourg on 30 March, and at a seminar on joining forces for Roma inclusion, organised by the EU Committee of the Regions in Brussels on 31 May, with the participation of various and institutions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to use this occasion to call on you, members of the Statutory Forum – members of the Congress Bureau, heads of national delegations – to help ensure an active participation of municipalities and regions from your countries that are concerned with the Roma situation. The Summit is open to all actors, our work for Roma inclusion should span all of the member countries, all levels of governance and all areas of activity, be it social rights, anti-Roma attitudes or Roma empowerment.

Let us join forces to make this Summit a resolute success.

Thank you.