(Insert NGO Logo)
To: (insert name of Prime Minister/Head of State)
(Insert address of PM Office)
(Insert fax number)
CC: President José Manuel BARROSO
200, Rue de la LOI, BERL – 13/57
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
B-1049 BRUXELLES
Fax: +(32) 2 2996848
+(32) 2 2988160
+(32) 2 2988561
Dear Prime Minister,
The first EU Roma Summit held in Brussels on 16 of September 2008, signaled
strong consensus among participating Roma and non-Roma civil society, the
European Parliament and National Governments on the need for a long term,
comprehensive and coherent European Roma Strategy. The European Commission
however remains reluctant to develop a Strategy without the express political
support of the European Council.
Its is our view that the European Commission should be encouraged to use its
prerogatives and develop EU initiatives aiming to support Member States in
better using existing legal and financial instruments to support Roma
inclusion. This should be done in a comprehensive, coordinated and strategic
manner.
There are more than two Decades since the European Union, through the European
Parliament directly addressed the issues related to Roma . Anti-Gypsyism as
acknowledged by the European Commission and Fundamental Rights Agency is
widespread and rampant within the European Union. The latest anti-Roma
incidents in Italy as well as the movement of a part of Roma population within
Europe have triggered a number of negative reactions and lead to an increase in
political will to tackle the social inclusion of Roma. It is our belief that
social exclusion travels in a Europe where freedom of movement is a fundamental
principle. Measures will produce limited results without a long term,
comprehensive pan-European approach based on strong actions of the Member
States and the EU to tackle the social exclusion and racism against Roma .
In this context we would like to reiterate the need for an EU Roma Strategy
capable to enhance existing efforts of (insert Country) in this area. We are
convinced that an EU Roma Strategy can facilitate the inclusion process of Roma
by identifying clear goals and targets, establishing effective coordination
mechanisms and thus enabling the achievement of real progress and visible
results in addressing Roma issues.
We believe, if made priority, the framework of an EU Roma Policy can help the
EU and its Member States to efficiently tackle Roma exclusion and
discrimination as well as improving the active participation of Roma in their
societies.
The envisioned elements of an EU Roma Policy are:
1. EU Framework Strategy for Roma Inclusion
2. Community Action Programme for Roma Inclusion
3. Coordination structure such as the „Roma Unit” within the European
Commission, ensuring a horizontal approach to the Roma issue
4. Inter-Governmental high level group chaired by the European Commission
In order to facilitate the process of developing an EU Roma Strategy and
recalling the Council Conclusions from June 2008 we urge you to consider
supporting the insertion of the following text in the Council Conclusions of
the upcoming European Council in December:
“The Council has welcomed the conclusion of the ‘EU Roma Summit’ and the
European Commission evaluation report on community instruments and policies for
Roma inclusion. The Council acknowledges the requests put forward by civil
society and invites the European Commission to develop an EU Framework Strategy
for Roma inclusion along with the necessary institutional mechanisms to
coordinate that strategy”
We truly hope that 2009 will bring real progress and policy action at EU level
in the area of Roma integration, and that the EU and its Member States will
live up to their shared responsibility to promote Roma inclusion and uphold the
fundamental rights of Roma as European citizens. As representatives of Civil
Society we are ready and willing to contribute effectively to this process.
Respectfully,
(Insert signature)
Asociatia/The Association"Proeducatia Rromilor Europeni in Contextul Integrarii
Euro-Atlantice si Mondiale" Vizitati pagina
http://www.geocities.com/survivor1977ro Visit the web page
http://www.geocities.com/survivor1977ro
