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Strasbourg, 3 February 2012 CAHROM (2011)25

AD HOC COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON ROMA ISSUES

(CAHROM)

2nd meeting

Istanbul, Turkey, 22-25 November 2011

MEETING REPORT

1. The Ad hoc Committee of Experts on Roma Issues (CAHROM) held its second meeting

from 22-25 November 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey, with Mrs Mabera Kamberi (“the former Yugoslav

Republic of Macedonia”) in the Chair. The agenda as adopted appears in Appendix 1. The list of

participants appears in Appendix 2.

Field visit to Roma neighbourhoods in Istanbul, Turkey, 22 November 2011

2. At the invitation of the Turkish authorities, the CAHROM carried out a visit to three Roma neighbourhoods (Kuştepe in Şişli district, Selamsız in Üsküdar district and Beyoğlu) in Istanbul on

22 November 2011. The visit was organised by Mrs Hande Yalnızoğlu, Turkish CAHROM member

and Adviser to Mrs Nursuna Memecan, Member of Parliament, and guided by Zero Discrimination

Association. Presentations were made by district governors, mayors, locally-elected public officials

and Roma representatives. The report of the field visit appears in Appendix 5.

Hearing with Turkish state and local authorities and representatives of civil society

3. A hearing addressing the situation of Roma in Turkey and policy measures undertaken by the Turkish authorities was held on 23 November 2011. Several ministries and state institutions,

including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the

Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and the Turkish Employment Agency IS-KUR participated,

together with municipalities, including the Mayor of Beyoğlu, and Zero Discrimination Association.

4. The Turkish representative to CAHROM summarised the main outcomes of the field visit.

5. The Mayor of Beyoğlu, Mr Ahmet Misbah Demircan, introduced some of the projects carried out by his municipality to improve the situation of Roma. He invited the CAHROM and the Council

of Europe to participate in a major event to be organised by his municipality, in co-operation with the

Turkish state authorities, in September 2012 which will include a festival addressing anti-Gypsyism.

In addition, the Mayor presented a video on the current urban transformation of Beyoğlu. When

asked if this new urban planning would result in the future eviction of Roma families, the Mayor

responded that this new infrastructure was necessary due to the risks of earthquakes, however all

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citizens, including Roma, who wished to live in his municipality would be given the possibility to

remain there.

6. Several ministries and state institutions, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour and the National Employment

Agency presented their respective approaches and examples of mainstream and targeted policy

measures aimed at improving the situation of Roma. Several speakers shared statistics which

indicated that, despite recent progress in Turkey, for example, in the schooling of children or

accessing health and employment, Turkish Roma citizens still belong to the most vulnerable

population group, which warrants positive discrimination measures.

7. The President of the Zero Discrimination Association outlined the historical presence of three main groups in Turkey, i.e. the Roma in the western part of the country, the Dom in the eastern part

and the Lom in the northern part. She highlighted some main problematic areas such as the eviction

from traditional neighbourhoods due to the modernisation of cities, the low level of education which

impacts employment and participation in public life, the poorer health situation, and the negative

stereotypes of the majority population towards Roma.

Opening of the 2nd

CAHROM meeting, 23 November 2011

8. The Chair, Mrs Mabera Kamberi (“the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”), and the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Roma Issues (hereafter “SRSG”), Mr Jeroen

Schokkenbroek, thanked the Turkish authorities, in particular Mrs Hande Yalnızoğlu and the

Ministry of Culture and Tourism, for organising and hosting the 2nd

meeting of the CAHROM in

Istanbul. They also thanked the district and municipal authorities, as well as Roma representatives

and Zero Discrimination Association, for their availability during the field visits and for enabling

CAHROM members to become familiar with projects undertaken to improve the situation of Roma

living in Istanbul.

Topical issues: anti-Gypsyism and attacks against Roma in Europe

9. The representative of ECRI introduced ECRI General Policy Recommendation No. 13 on combating anti-Gypsyism

1 and discrimination against Roma

2, the adoption of which was felt

necessary due to the fact that Roma continue to face serious problems throughout Europe, as

documented in ECRI’s long-term country-by-country monitoring. This Recommendation, which also

exists in Romani, addresses provisions relating inter alia to education, employment, housing, racist

violence and crimes against Roma and the media. Follow-up of this General Policy Recommendation

will be ensured through the findings of ECRI country-by-country monitoring reports, the judgments

of the European Court of Human Rights which increasingly refer to ECRI standards and reports in its

judgments, and though the monitoring of NGOs and national specialised bodies against

discrimination.

10. The President of the European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF) showed images illustrating racial violence and discrimination against Roma in Europe, from extermination during the

Nazi period until the present day. He explained that he used these provocative images as a strong

reminder of the situation facing a huge number of Roma in various parts of Europe, where they still

suffer from inter alia ghettoisation, segregation, poor living conditions, forced sterilisation, police

abuse, hate speech and stigmatisation. Despite EU-funded programmes and policies, he stated that

75% of European citizens still do not want Roma neighbours.

1 Anti-Gypsyism is defined as “a specific form of racism, an ideology founded on racial superiority, form of dehumanisation

and institutional racism nurtured by historical discrimination, which is expressed, among others, by violence, hate speech,

exploitation, stigmatisation and the most blatant kind of discrimination”. 2 Full text at http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/activities/GPR/EN/Recommendation_N13/default_en.asp.

http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/activities/GPR/EN/Recommendation_N13/default_en.asp

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11. The OSCE-ODIHR representative presented the main outcomes of the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting concerning the situation of Roma and Sinti and racism against

Roma. Held in Warsaw on 5-6 October 2011, the main focuses of the plenary discussion and side

events related to Roma and Sinti were freedom of speech in relation to anti-Roma rhetoric and the

role and responsibility of media and journalists in addressing stereotypes and prejudice towards

Roma. Referring to the Roma chapter of a 2010 OSCE monitoring report on hate crime, he

announced that OSCE will release soon a new report on extreme right movements. He also indicated

that OSCE-ODIHR’s field visit in Hungary was followed up by a meeting with authorities and the

police. In addition, he had spoken to authorities during visits in Northern Moravia in the Czech

Republic, as well as Plovdiv and Sofia in Bulgaria. Whereas the Bulgarian authorities reacted

promptly against violence towards Roma, he noticed that, in the Czech Republic, some local

authorities refrained from joining the protest. Referring to the previous presentation, he observed that

the Mitrovica camp was closed down and people moved back to South Mitrovica thanks to US aid

and EU funds.

12. In his presentation, the SRSG referred to the relevant paragraphs of the Strasbourg Declaration adopted by member States of the Council of Europe at the High Level Meeting on Roma

on 20 October 2010, as well as to relevant extracts of the report of the Group of Eminent Persons. He

also reminded participants that the Secretary General had made several statements in the wake of

anti-Roma events.

13. The representative of the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) regretted that the situation is worsening in many countries and that there is an urgent need to combat poverty and to fight against

impunity of hate speech in mainstream media.

14. The Italian representative referred to dramatic cases of Roma children losing their lives and incidents against Roma migrants in Italy, but also said that the overall picture needed to be balanced

out by the many examples of public outrage at such events. He underlined the importance of training

police officers, lawyers, journalists and mediators, as well as of addressing prejudice and stereotypes

by using, for instance, the Dosta! campaign.

15. The Committee then examined a preliminary draft declaration on the increasing anti-

Gypsyism and racist violence against Roma in Europe [CAHROM (2011)24prov] which was

introduced by the Chair. Several CAHROM members (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania,

Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom), the European Commission, as well as Amnesty

International, proposed amendments.

16. The Committee agreed on several amendments. It approved the draft declaration and agreed

to transmit it to the Committee of Ministers for adoption (see Appendix 3).

Programme of activities, working methods and future thematic priorities of the CAHROM

17. The Vice-Chair of the CAHROM introduced the Bureau proposal regarding the working methods and future working thematic priorities of the CAHROM, as approved at the Bureau meeting

held in Strasbourg on 7 September 2011.

18. The CAHROM examined the proposal of the Bureau regarding its working methods and future working thematic priorities [document CAHROM (2011)15]. The Committee adopted the

proposal without any amendments (see Appendix 4).

19. The SRSG indicated that experts’ costs for participation in the expert teams could be covered by the Council of Europe.

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20. The Chair then asked CAHROM members to propose thematic priorities and to indicate if they would be willing to join one or more thematic groups possibly hosting a visit of experts in areas

in which they could benefit from other countries’ experience.

21. The German representative indicated that the summary table of thematic priorities contained in document CAHROM (2011)12rev2 Replies of the CAHROM members about thematic priorities

was already a good basis for defining thematic priorities and forming some groups of countries, even

though the document only contained 25 replies and required input from those yet to reply.

22. A number of CAHROM members made concrete proposals which resulted in the following three priority areas and groups of countries being proposed and approved by the Committee:

Housing o Requesting country: “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”. o Other countries willing to take part in the exercise and offer experience: Austria,

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Spain.

o Other countries willing to gain experience from other countries: Albania and Ukraine.

Education with special focus on measures/policies for combating school drop-out o Requesting country: the Netherlands. o Other countries willing to take part in the exercise and offer experience: Croatia,

Hungary (pending confirmation), Slovakia and Turkey.

o Country willing to gain experience from other countries: Sweden.

Role of local authorities in implementing national Roma strategies/policies, including inter alia the institutionalisation of mediators

o Requesting country: Moldova o Other countries willing to take part in the exercise and offering experience: Finland,

Latvia, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

o Other countries willing to gain experience from other countries: Albania and Ukraine.

23. The Committee asked its Bureau to finalise the precise size and composition of these thematic groups, after consultation with the experts concerned.

24. The Committee requested the Secretariat to write, following consultation with the Bureau, to the CAHROM members concerned to provide them and their authorities with additional practical

information and propose a time table for organising the above-mentioned thematic groups, including

possible dates for a visit of experts to the requesting country.

25. The Secretariat indicated that, on the basis of initial replies received from several CAHROM members prior to the meeting, including France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, an additional

thematic group might be established, pending future confirmation from the countries concerned, on

issues related to nomadic Roma and Traveller communities.

Request from the Zentralrat deutscher Roma und Sinti to obtain observer status in CAHROM

26. The Committee took note of the request of the Zentralrat deutscher Roma und Sinti to be granted observer status in the CAHROM [document CAHROM (2011)20].

27. Whilst welcoming the interest of the Zentralrat in the CAHROM’s work, the Committee noted that, to date, only international non-governmental organisations have been granted observer

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status. Granting observer status to national NGOs might lead to proliferation which could hinder the

effective functioning of the Committee.

28. The President of the ERTF commented that the Zentralrat deutscher Roma und Sinti could contribute to the work of the CAHROM via the European Roma and Travellers Forum.

29. The Committee decided against the granting of this request. It proposed, however, that the response to be addressed to the Zentralrat deutscher Roma und Sinti should underline that there

would be other possibilities for the Zentralrat to actively contribute to the work of the CAHROM, e.g.

by providing information in the framework of the future working methods of the CAHROM or by

being invited to the CAHROM on an ad hoc basis to contribute to a specific item of the Committee’s

agenda or by being invited to a public hearing.

Thematic exchange of experience on the role of local and regional authorities in implementing

national Roma integration policies/strategies

30. The Director of the Secretariat of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe presented the Final Declaration of the Summit of Mayors, held in Strasbourg on

22 September 2011, as well Congress Recommendation 315 (2011) and Resolution 333 (2011) on the

situation of Roma in Europe adopted on 19 October 2011. She announced the forthcoming creation of

a European Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion and underlined the need for stronger

co-operation between CAHROM members and local and regional representatives.

31. The representative of Finland introduced the positive example of Finland, highlighting the role of municipalities, Regional Advisory Boards on Romani Affairs and Local Roma Working

Groups in the implementation of the Finnish policy on Roma adopted by Government Resolution in

December 2010.

32. The Chair invited CAHROM participants to share other experiences and possible good practices as regards connecting policies/strategies between national, regional and local levels and

invited the Committee to examine how it could contribute to the follow-up of the Summit of Mayors,

in particular regarding the Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma inclusion.

33. The Slovak representative referred to the EU programme “Europe for citizens” run by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), which aims to bring Europe closer

to its citizens through, for example transnational exchanges and co-operation activities. Seven Slovak

municipalities were invited by the Slovak Europe for Citizens’ Contact Point to participate in a

meeting in Hungary in early November.

34. It was agreed that CAHROM members would spread information about the Summit Declaration and recent texts adopted by the Congress and provide the Secretariat with suggestions for

cities or regions that could be contacted to join the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for

Roma Inclusion to be set up in 2012.

Thematic exchange of experience on the elaboration of national Roma integration

policies/strategies

35. The CAHROM held an exchange of views concerning developments in the elaboration of national Roma integration policies/strategies in various member States. Representatives of different

member States presented their state of play. While some countries have already completed their

strategies, others indicated that they were in the process of finalising theirs. Some delays were to be

expected before the strategies could be concluded. Finally, a number of countries suggested that they

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were not planning to introduce amendments to their existing strategies/policies (for additional

information, see Appendix 6).

36. Mr Detlev Boeing, representative of the European Commission/DG Enlargement, indicated that the EU Roma Platform had met the week prior to CAHROM and that an exchange of views with

all stakeholders, including international organisations and NGOs, was also organised during the

Platform meeting3. This issue will be followed up by the European Commission in 2012 when further

meetings will be organised. He added that a Donor Conference will be organised on refugees and

housing issues in Spring 2012 and that the Commission is expected to allocate 500 million Euros.

Furthermore, he informed the Committee that annual progress reports on EU accession and pre-

accession countries were published the week before the CAHROM4 and referred to country-by-

country events organised by DG Enlargement in all Balkan countries in 2011.

Roma education

37. The Committee heard from the Slovak representative on the experts’ meeting on effective strategies/practices to end and/or prevent segregation of Roma children in education in which he

participated, both as a Slovak expert and CAHROM member, in Strasbourg on 5-6 September 2011.

Ten other experts from the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and

the United Kingdom attended the meeting, which was aimed at collecting examples of effective

social inclusion and desegregation strategies.

38. Mr Henry Hedman (Finland) informed the Committee that Romani language and culture will soon be taught at the University of Helsinki, a first in Finland. He encouraged other member States to

do the same.

39. The representative of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” explained that segregation was prohibited in her country. There was at least one Romani teacher in each

kindergarten.

40. The representative of Austria asked how it was possible to have so many Romani teachers in kindergartens. She said that, in Austria, Roma parents do not like to have their children sent to

kindergarten, and if they do, they send them to mainstream kindergartens.

41. Lastly, the representative of the Netherlands reported that there is no segregation and therefore no special schools for Roma children. He added that there is substantial dropping out of

Roma children from school, especially of girls when they are 12/13 years old. Generally speaking,

due to a lack of good education, the participation of Roma in the regular labour market is very low.

He further explained that, as there is no ethnic registration in the Netherlands, it is estimated that

about 50 municipalities (out of 415) have a substantial number of Roma. Out of those 50

municipalities, 12 are organised in a Platform of Roma municipalities. These municipalities have

developed an integrated/holistic approach aimed at so-called multi-problem families, most of them of

Roma background. The Platform is working closely together with the national government in a

Programme entitled “Combating exploitation of Roma children”. Mr de Vos suggested that this co-

operation between local and national levels could be an example for other countries to follow.

3 For further information concerning developments regarding the EU Framework for National Strategies, see

http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/roma/index_en.htm. 4 See the European Commission’s “enlargement package” consisting of a global strategy document setting out the policies,

goals and prospects for the coming year, as well as progress reports for each of the (potential) candidates, assessing their

achievements over the last twelve months, available at http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/press_corner/key-

documents/reports_oct_2011_en.htm.

http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/roma/index_en.htmhttp://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/press_corner/key-documents/reports_oct_2011_en.htmhttp://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/press_corner/key-documents/reports_oct_2011_en.htm

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42. As a result of the discussion, the Committee agreed to include the topic of desegregation in the field of education on the agenda of its next meeting.

Roma employment

43. The Secretariat reminded participants that the document CAHROM (2011)7 Implementation report of CM Recommendation (2001)17 on improving the economic and employment situation of

Roma/Gypsies and Travellers in Europe which had been drafted by Mrs Louiza Kyriakaki (Greece)

in her previous capacity of Chair of the MG-S-ROM, had already been circulated in English and

endorsed by the Committee at its 1st meeting. Since the document had recently been translated into

French, the Committee was invited to decide to submit the report in the two official languages to the

Committee of Ministers for information.

44. The Committee agreed to submit the Implementation report of CM Recommendation (2001)17 on improving the economic and employment situation of Roma/Gypsies and Travellers in

Europe to the Committee of Ministers for information (see Addendum 1 of the meeting report).

Roma asylum-seekers and returnees

45. The representative of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe welcomed the fact that, in line with PACE

Recommendation 1941 (2010) on Roma asylum seekers in Europe, the CAHROM has kept on its

agenda an item related to measures necessary to create durable solutions for Roma in/from Kosovo5.

She indicated that there was a need to re-assess asylum rules within the European Union which, due

to the presumption of safety applied to persons coming from EU member States, prevents Roma (as

well as others) from being granted asylum in another EU member State.

46. The representative of UNICEF informed participants about their recent work in Kosovo6. She referred to the situation with regard to Germany, which was the first country to sign a repatriation

agreement, and drew the attention of the Committee to page 23 of its report report on the situation of

children returned from Germany7 which contained a number of recommendations addressed to the

German authorities.

47. The representative of UNHCR referred to the conference held in Zagreb on 26-27 October 2011, at which a Declaration was adopted concerning the sustainable return of Roma to their home

countries, including issues such as civil documentation and registration in South Eastern Europe, as

well as problems related to statelessness. In particular, she highlighted that being undocumented is a

major obstacle for Roma and that, notably since the break-up of Yugoslavia, many Roma have lost

their nationality and have no access to political and social rights.

48. The Chair informed the Committee that a Regional Conference on the subject of people without identification will be organised in around March 2012, in order to discuss the conclusions

adopted at the Zagreb conference last October.

49. The President of ERTF indicated that more that 100,000 Roma had had to leave their home places in Kosovo

8. He also suggested that the majority would be willing to return but that it is not

possible for them to do so since they no longer have access to their home/land. He expressed the

5 All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full

compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo. 6 See footnote no.5. 7 UNICEF’s report is available online at : http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/pdfid/4e6067632.pdf. 8 See footnote no.5.

http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/pdfid/4e6067632.pdf

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opinion that those who have been living in a country for many years should, in principle, be allowed

to stay in that particular host country.

50. The representative of UNICEF confirmed that "housing" is a major obstacle, notably for those willing to go back to their country of origin since, in practice, they have lost their homes. She stressed

that, sending asylum seekers back to their home countries whilst knowing that the rate of

unemployment of the receiving country is about 50%, might not be the best solution.

51. The Amnesty International representative indicated that, at present, despite an improved situation compared to a few years ago, there are no favourable conditions for the Roma to return to

their home places, notably due to both a lack of financial resources and a lack of action plans or

strategies at municipal level.

52. The representative of Germany asked the Secretariat for clarification of the definition of Roma used as a footnote in Council of Europe documents

9 and, in particular, why it has been

extended to other communities.

53. An ERTF representative stated that this definition issue was also discussed within the ERTF.

54. The SRSG indicated that the footnote, as it stands now, is very open (non-exhaustive) so as to include the widest diversity of the groups concerned since the situation varies in each country. The

Secretary of the CAHROM added that, as also pointed out by the Ukraine representative during the

discussion, the Council of Europe started using a common definition for its documents following a

Seminar on Cultural Identities of Roma, Gypsies, Travellers and related groups held in Strasbourg in

September 2003 which was attended by representatives of most Roma and Roma-related groups

present in Europe. A glossary of terms relating to Roma issues first issued in 2006 has recently been

updated10

. The definition of “Roma” has been recently slightly amended to include a reference to

Dom and Lom, i.e. the Eastern groups of Roma who are present in Turkey and Caucasus countries.

55. The representative of the OSCE/ODIHR suggested that the definition used by Roma organisations and international governmental organisations might be different and that it would not

be a wise decision to focus only on one group or another. In reference to the broader topic under

discussion, he stressed that the right to leave one's country should be carefully examined.

56. The representative of Slovakia said that he fully understood the difficulty regarding the Roma identification issue. Nevertheless, and following UNICEF’s presentation, his opinion was that the

Committee should be in a position to provide an update to the Committee of Ministers.

57. The SRSG proposed that the CAHROM could draw the Committee of Ministers’ attention to UNICEF’s report and to keep the situation of Roma returnees in Kosovo

11 on its agenda.

58. The representative of Romania indicated that, on the basis of the information provided by UNICEF, the CAHROM should decide about the next steps to take, in particular regarding the major

problem of housing. He asked other Committee members if they consider the measures taken by the

authorities to be sufficient.

9 The term “Roma” used at the Council of Europe refers to Roma, Sinti, Kale and related groups in Europe, including

Travellers and the Eastern groups (Dom and Lom), and covers the wide diversity of the groups concerned, including persons

who identify themselves as “Gypsies”. 10 The Council of Europe’s updated glossary of terms relating to Roma issues is available online at www.coe.int/roma under

“tools and texts of reference”. 11 See footnote no.5.

http://www.coe.int/roma

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59. The representative of the Netherlands indicated that he could agree with the proposal expressed by the SRSG and that it was important to know what exactly should be forwarded to the

Committee of Ministers.

60. The representative of Germany indicated that information could not be sent to the Committee of Ministers before identifying whether those who were sent back to Kosovo

12 were effectively Roma.

61. The representative of France stated that, while he would convey the CAHROM’s message to his authorities, he wished to point out that, in France, laws need to be respected. People who are not

coming from a Schengen country should, therefore, be subjected to existing rules. He indicated that

he agreed with the German representative and stressed that, since France does not recognise the

concept of “minority”, in practical terms, France does not deport Roma but individuals in general.

62. Finally, the representative of OSCE/ODIHR stressed that the most important issue would be to ask all the governments concerned to make efforts to integrate the persons concerned.

63. As a conclusion regarding the situation of Roma returnees in Kosovo13, the Committee noted with concern the information provided by UNICEF in its recently updated report on the situation of

children returned from Germany. It agreed to draw the Committee of Ministers’ attention to this

report14

and to keep the situation of Roma returnees in Kosovo15

on its agenda.

Migration and freedom of movement of Roma: the issue of visa liberalisation

64. The PACE representative first informed the CAHROM participants that she is currently preparing, on behalf of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population, a report

dedicated to the issue of movement and migration of Roma in Europe. An outline of that forthcoming

report was distributed. She asked CAHROM participants to help her gather relevant information,

especially statistics, on Roma migration. Three areas are of particular importance: the portrayal of

Roma migrants in the media, Roma migrants as targets of the police and security discourses, and

expulsions of Roma in member States, in particular EU member States.

65. Referring to Chachipe’s report distributed at her request, she also expressed concern about enhanced border checks and profiling requested by the European Commission and some EU countries

as a condition for maintaining visa liberalisation in countries of the Western Balkans. She indicated

that travel restrictions would be incompatible with the fundamental rights embodied in the European

Convention on Human Rights. She asked those countries involved to explain the reasons for the

existing restrictions and also asked the Committee to express its view on this matter.

66. The SRSG, recalling the existence of ECtHR case-law on the right to leave a country, invited representatives of the countries concerned to provide more information.

67. The representative of "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" informed the Committee that, at present, Roma passports are not being stamped when leaving the country. She added that the

Parliament is currently examining the adoption of a law which would apply to the whole population,

not exclusively to Roma. She explained that several monitoring exercises have taken place. For

example, delegations from Belgium and Sweden have visited Kumanovo. It was reported that all

young people have left the town with only old people still living there. People mainly leave the

country during the winter season. The authorities identified a tourist company that was organising bus

12 See footnote no.5. 13 See footnote no.5. 14

See footnote no.7. 15 See footnote no. 5.

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trips every Friday to Western Europe and sanctions have since been applied to that company. She

stressed that the issue at stake was financial, not political. Very good conditions provided to asylum

seekers in recipient states play the role of a pull factor. These states may provide asylum seekers with

a flat and 300 Euros per person per month (i.e. 1,500 to 2,000 Euros per month per family), whilst in

her country, they receive 80 Euros per month for the entire family.

68. She further informed the Committee that her authorities are preparing an Action Plan to tackle this issue, since otherwise the visa liberalisation regime may be suspended. If that was the case,

mainstream society would probably blame the Roma community with potentially serious

consequences for the latter.

69. The representative of Serbia informed the Committee that her authorities have taken a number of measures to address the situation, e.g. a brochure was prepared and distributed in Serbian,

Albanian and Romani. NGOs should also be fully informed and take responsibility when dealing with

this issue. Co-operation is needed from all of those involved.

70. The representative of Albania indicated that her country is one of five having a visa liberalisation regime with the EU. The situation in Albania is similar to other countries. It was

difficult to obtain accurate figures in Albania. A task force was established under the Ministry of

Interior and an Action Plan has been prepared. Its aim is to reduce the number of asylum seekers.

One of the measures adopted concerns awareness-raising within the Roma community.

71. The representative of OSCE/ODIHR stated that all of the above elements should be put on the table for discussion and that additional elements should also be considered e.g. trafficking. At this

stage, it might not be necessary to adopt new laws and criminalise individuals. The right to leave a

country should always be respected.

72. The ERTF President indicated that the amounts received by asylum seekers were less than the figures mentioned by the representative of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”. In

Germany, they receive 20 to 30% less than the poverty ceiling (which is 350 to 500 Euros). He urged

the authorities to examine in detail why people are actually leaving “the former Yugoslav Republic of

Macedonia” and requested that the CAHROM send a strong and clear message to the authorities on

this particular issue.

73. The representative of France stated that French legislation was in compliance with European regulations. He added that, in France, all individuals have the right to minimum health and

hospitalisation services as part of the universal protection.

74. In response, the SRSG indicated that the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights on the right to leave a country was fairly precise as regards the circumstances in which it was possible

for authorities to restrict the right to leave the country).

75. The SRSG further suggested that the countries concerned consider requesting the expertise of the Council of Europe to assist them in finding ways and means of ensuring that measures are

compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. For example, a meeting to discuss this

issue with relevant CoE experts in this particular field could be organised.

Developments concerning the Dosta! Campaign and the database on Roma-related policies and

good practices

76. The Committee received information from the Secretariat about the new Roma portal of the Council of Europe, as well as about the websites of the ROMED mediators’ training programme, of

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the Dosta! awareness-raising campaign for combating prejudices and stereotypes towards Roma and

of the recently-created database on Roma-related policies and good practices16

.

77. The Secretariat informed the CAHROM members concerned that they would soon be requested to complete an overview document on the implementation of the Dosta! campaign, and to

indicate a person responsible for regularly publishing information in the local language(s) under the

respective country page of the multilingual Dosta! website. The Secretariat called on other

CAHROM members to indicate whether their countries had the intention of joining the Dosta!

campaign in the near future, and proposed to the Turkish authorities to consider associating the

Dosta! campaign to the event on anti-Gypsyism scheduled in Beyoğlu in September 2012.

78. The representative of Slovakia informed the Committee about Slovakia’s intention to join the Dosta! campaign.

79. The representative of Croatia informed the Committee about a future Dosta! event that the Office for National Minorities of the Government of Croatia will be organising in Zagreb during the

first half of 2012.

80. The SRSG asked the above country representatives to contact Mrs Eleni Tsetsekou, responsible for the Dosta! campaign in his Support Team.

81. At the request of Mrs Aurora Ailincai, ROMED Project Manager, a questionnaire related to the situation of mediators will shortly be circulated to CAHROM members in order to complete the

database on mediators under the ROMED webpage.

82. As concerns the database on policies and good practices, the Secretariat explained that a provisional version, including already-validated examples of good practices in member States, has

been accessible via the Roma portal of the Council of Europe since 20 October, the first anniversary

of the Strasbourg Declaration. The database website should be fully operational by the end of 2011

and include a research engine by themes and countries. Only good practices validated either by the

CoE Steering Committee for Education (CDED) or by the CoE Commissioner for Human Rights

have been posted so far. Good practices identified as such by international partners (European Union,

OSCE/ODIHR, Roma Decade, ERTF, etc.) will be taken into consideration. The database should also

include relevant links to, and information about, national Roma-related strategies/policies/action

plans.

Recent developments and up-coming events at national and international levels

83. Committee members and observers provided information about recent developments at national and international level. This included the Guidelines adopted by Roma youth representatives

at the Roma Youth Conference held in Strasbourg in September 2011 and the main findings of

Amnesty International’s recent reports. The Spanish expert presented the conclusions of the

International Conference of Romani Women held in Granada in October 2011 and made reference to

the Declaration adopted by over 300 Romani women who participated in that Conference.

84. The representative of the Holy See informed the Committee that, on 11 June 2011, His Holiness Benedict XVI welcomed, in a private audience at the Vatican, a Roma delegation of two

thousand Europeans on a pilgrimage to Rome to mark the 75th

anniversary of the martyrdom of

blessed Zefirino Gimenez Malla, a Gypsy killed during the Spanish Civil War. He stressed that,

although it was the first time that a Pope had received a Roma group in the Vatican, the Roma have

16 See www.coe.int/roma and the respective entries concerning the ROMED programme, the database on policies and good

practices and the Dosta! campaign.

http://www.coe.int/roma

12

been “at the heart of the Church” for a long time, as Paul VI said in 1965, celebrating mass in a field

close to Rome, and as Benedict XVI repeated. After hearing some testimonies, the Pope

commemorated the thousands of Gypsies persecuted through the centuries, especially those killed

during the Second World War.

Arrangements for the next meeting

85. The Committee took note of the invitation of the authorities of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” to hold the 3

rd CAHROM meeting in either Skopje or Ohrid on 22-25 May

2012. Some of the agreed thematic group of experts on housing may be invited to come a few days

earlier to attend a Roma Decade Conference on Roma and housing in order to share their experience

and participate in bilateral discussions with relevant authorities and NGOs on this matter.

86. The Committee agreed that the 4th CAHROM meeting would take place in Strasbourg in the autumn (probably November 2012 in order to give sufficient time for the work of thematic groups of

experts). The dates will be fixed at the next meeting.

Adoption of the abridged meeting report (list of decisions)

87. The Committee adopted the abridged report.

***********

Appendices and addendum to the abridged meeting report of the 2nd

CAHROM meeting

Appendix 1 Meeting agenda

Appendix 2 List of participants

Appendix 3 Draft declaration on increasing anti-Gypsyism and racist violence against Roma in

Europe

Appendix 4 Bureau proposal regarding working methods of the CAHROM, as adopted by the

Committee

Appendix 5 Report of the field visit

Appendix 6 Thematic exchange of experience on the elaboration of national Roma integration

policies/strategies

Addendum 1 Implementation Report of CM Recommendation (2001)17 on improving the

economic and employment situation of Roma/Gypsies and Travellers in Europe

13

Appendix 1

MEETING AGENDA

22 November 2011

Field visit to three Roma neighbourhoods in Istanbul (Kuştepe in Şişli district, Selamsız

in Üsküdar district and a third one in Beyoğlu municipality)

23 November 2011

1) Opening of the meeting

2) Public hearing with Turkish state and local authorities and representatives of civil society

3) Adoption of the agenda [CAHROM(2011)19 Annotated agenda]

4) Topical issues: anti-Gypsyism and attacks against Roma in Europe [Progress report of CoE Roma activities; Strasbourg Declaration; Report of the Group of

Eminent Persons; ECRI General Policy Recommendation No. 13; CAHROM (2011)22

Written contributions submitted by participants; CAHROM (2011)24prov preliminary draft

declaration on increasing anti-Gypsyism and racist violence against Roma in Europe]

5) Programme of activities, working methods and future thematic priorities of the CAHROM

1. Working methods and thematic priorities [CAHROM (2011)1 Terms of Reference of the Committee; CAHROM(2011)14 Report of the

1st CAHROM meeting; CAHROM(2011)21 Report of the 1

st CAHROM Bureau meeting;

CAHROM (2011)15 Proposal of the Bureau regarding CAHROM’s future working methods;

CAHROM(2011)12rev2 Replies of the CAHROM members about thematic priorities]

2. Request to obtain observer status [CAHROM(2011)20 Request of the Zentralrat deutscher Roma und Sinti to be granted

observer status in CAHROM; CAHROM(2011)21 Report of the 1st CAHROM Bureau

meeting]

24 November 2011

6) Thematic exchange of experience on the role of local and regional authorities in implementing national Roma integration policies/strategies

[Declaration and General Report of the Congress Summit of Mayors on Roma Issues;

Congress Recommendation 315 (2011) and Congress Resolution 333 (2011) on the situation

of Roma in Europe: a challenge for local and regional authorities; CAHROM (2011)22

Written contributions submitted by participants]

7) Thematic exchange of experience on the elaboration of national Roma integration policies/strategies

[Recommendation CM/Rec(2008)5 on policies for Roma and/or Travellers in Europe;

CAHROM(2011) 13 Summaries of CAHROM members’ interventions on national

programmes/action plans for Roma, including list of past and current Roma integration

14

strategies; CAHROM(2011)14 1st CAHROM meeting report; Communication of the

European Commission on a EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies;

Conclusions of the EPSCO Council of 19 May 2011 adopted during the Hungarian

Presidency of the EU Council; CAHROM (2011)22 Written contributions submitted by

participants]

8) Roma education and employment 1. Desegregation in the field of education

[CM Recommendation(2009)4 on the education of Roma and Travellers in Europe;

CAHROM (2011)22 Written contributions submitted by participants]

2. Employment

[CAHROM (2011)7 Implementation Report of CM Recommendation(2001)17 on improving

the economic and employment situation of Roma/Gypsies and Travellers in Europe]

25 November 2011

9) Asylum, migration and freedom of movement of Roma a. Roma asylum-seekers and returnees

[CAHROM (2011)8 Final CAHROM Opinion on PACE Recommendation 1941 (2010) on

Roma Asylum Seekers in Europe; PACE Recommendation (1941) 2010; PACE Resolution

1768 (2010); PACE doc. 12393 Milorad Pupovac’s report on Roma Asylum Seekers in

Europe; CM/AS(2011)Rec1941 final CM Reply to the Parliamentary Assembly concerning

Roma Asylum Seekers in Europe; UNICEF report “Integration Subject to Conditions”;

UNICEF-Kosovo report “”No place to call home”; UNHCR documents; CAHROM

(2011)25 Relevant extracts from international conferences addressing durable solutions for

Roma asylum seekers and Roma returnees to Kosovo17

]

a. Migration and freedom of movement of Roma [CAHROM (2011)22 Written contributions submitted by participants; Chachipe document

“Human rights concerns in relation with recent measures to reduce the number of asylum

seekers from the Western Balkans in the EU” distributed at the request of the PACE

representative]

10) Developments concerning the Dosta! Campaign and the database on Roma-related policies and good practices

[Information document about Dosta! activities in member states and introduction document

to the database on Roma-related policies and good practices]

11) Recent developments and up-coming events at national and international levels [CAHROM (2011)22 Written contributions submitted by participants]

12) Arrangements for the next meeting

13) Adoption of the list of decisions [CAHROM (2011)23 Draft abridged report of the 2

nd CAHROM meeting]

14) Close of the meeting

17

All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.

15

Appendix 2

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS / LISTE DES PARTICIPANTS

MEMBER STATES / ETATS MEMBRES

Albania/Albanie

Mrs. Blerina Zoto TEPELENA

Technical Secretariat of Roma

Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunity

Rruga e Kavasës, AL-Tirana

Tel.: +355 682082142; Fax: +355 4223 0719

E-mail: blerinat@hotmail.com

Austria/Autriche

Mrs. Christa ACHLEITNER

Federal Chancellery

Department for National Minority Affairs

Ballhausplatz 2

A-1010 Vienna

Tel.: +43(1)531152465; Fax: +43(1)531152158

E-mail: christa.achleitner@bka.gv.at

Belgium/Belgique

Apologised/excusée

Bosnia and Herzegovina/Bosnie-Herzégovine

Mrs. Saliha ĐUDERIJA

Assistant Minister

Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Trg BiH 3, 33000 Sarajevo

Tel: +387 33 703 962; Fax: +387 33 206 655

E-mail: saliha.djuderija@mhrr.gov.ba

Bulgaria/Bulgarie

Mrs Rositsa IVANOVA

Secretary and Senior Programme Officer

Secretariat of the National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Integration Issues

Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria

Tel.: +359 2 940 36 22; Mobile 0889 50 19 18 ; Fax: +359 2 940 21 18

E-mail: Rositsa.Ivanova@government.bg

Croatia/Croatie

Mr. Branko SOČANAC

Head of the Office for National Minorities

of the Government of the Republic of Croatia

Mesnička 23, HR-10000 Zagreb

Tel.: +385 1 45 69 358 ; Fax: +385 1 45 69 324

E-mail: branko.socanac@vlada.hr

mailto:blerinat@hotmail.commailto:christa.achleitner@bka.gv.atmailto:saliha.djuderija@mhrr.gov.bamailto:Rositsa.Ivanova@government.bgmailto:branko.socanac@vlada.hr

16

Czech Republic/République tchèque

Mr. Ondřej KLÍPA

Head of Secretariat of the Council for Roma Minority Affairs

Council for National Minorities of the Government of the Czech Republic

Office of the Government of the Czech Republic

nábřeží Edvarda Beneše 4

CZ Praha 1 - 118 01

Tel.: +420 224 002 043; M +420 724 050 336

E-mail: klipa.ondrej@vlada.cz

Estonia/Estonie

Mrs. Sirli TOOMING

Senior Specialist

Department of Cultural Diversity

Ministry of Culture

23 Suur-Karja Street, EE-15076 Tallinn

Phone: +372 628 2261 +372 628 2261; Fax: +372 628 2325

E-mail: sirli.tooming@kul.ee

Finland/Finlande

Mrs. Hannele SYRJÄ

Senior Officer- Advisory Board on Romani Affairs

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

P.O.Box 33, FI-00023 Government

Tel.: +358 (0)9 160 74308; Fax: +358 (0)50 553 5530

E-mail : hannele.syrja@stm.fi

Mr. Henry HEDMAN

Member of the Advisory Board on Romani Affairs

Lavinnonraitti 1-3,

12350 Turkhauta

Phone + 358 19 733 255, and + 358 50 5632640

E-mail : henry.hedman@kotus.fi ; henry.hedman@kotikirkko.fi

France

M. Pierre HERISSON

Sénateur de la Haute-Savoie

Président de la Commission nationale consultative des Gens du voyage

7 avenue du Parmelan

74000 Annecy

Tél. : +33 (0)6 07 16 20 70

E-mail: p.herisson@wanadoo.fr ; p.herisson@senat.fr

Mlle Constance TARNEAUD

Assistante parlementaire du Sénateur Pierre HERISSON

Paris

Tel : +33 (0)1 42 34 34 80 ; Fax : +33 (0)1 42 34 40 89

E-mail : p.herisson@senat.fr

Georgia/Géorgie

Apologised/excusée

mailto:klipa.ondrej@vlada.czmailto:sirli.tooming@kul.eemailto:hannele.syrja@stm.fimailto:henry.hedman@kotus.fimailto:henry.hedman@kotikirkko.fimailto:p.herisson@wanadoo.frmailto:p.herisson@senat.frmailto:p.herisson@senat.fr

17

Germany/Allemagne

Mr. Detlev REIN

Federal Ministry of Interior of the Federal Republic of Germany

Division M II 4 - Nationale Minderheiten in Deutschland; Europäische

Minderheitenpolitik; Belange anderer Sprachgruppen in Deutschland

Graurheindorfer Straße 198, 53117 Bonn

Tel.: +49 22899 681 3766; Fax: +49 22899 681 53766

E-mail: Detlev.Rein@bmi.bund.de

Greece/Grèce

Apologised/excusée

Hungary/Hongrie Apologised/excusée

Ireland/Irlande

Apologised/excusée

Italy/Italie

Mr. Pietro VULPIANI

UNAR - Ufficio nazionale antidiscriminazioni razziali

Dipartimento per i diritti e le pari opportunità

Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri

Largo Chigi 19, I-00187 Roma

Tel.: +39 06 67792302; Fax +39 06 67792272; Cell +39 349 8367351

E-mail: p.vulpiani@palazzochigi.it

Latvia/Lettonie

Mr. Deniss KRETALOVS

Senior Desk Officer

Division for Society Integration and Development of Civil Society

Ministry of Culture

Kr. Valdemara street 11 a, LV-1364 Riga

Tel.: +371 67330312

E-mail: Deniss.Kretalovs@km.gov.lv

Lithuania/Lituanie

Mrs Gražina SLUŠKO

Responsible for Roma issues

Division of national minority issues

Ministry of Culture

J. Basanaviciaus str. 5, LT- 5683 Vilnius

Tel. +370 2 619 486, Fax +370 2 623 120

E-mail: g.slusko@lrkm.lt

Luxembourg

M. Michel NEYENS

Conseiller de direction première classe

Ministère de la Famille et de l’Intégration

12-14, avenue Emile Reuter

L-2420 Luxembourg

Tel: +352 247-86515

E-mail: michel.neyens@fm.etat.lu

mailto:Detlev.Rein@bmi.bund.demailto:p.vulpiani@palazzochigi.itmailto:Deniss.Kretalovs@km.gov.lvmailto:g.slusko@lrkm.ltmailto:michel.neyens@fm.etat.lu

18

Republic of Moldova/République de Moldova

Mr. Nicolae RADIŢA (Bureau member/membre du Bureau)

Chairman of the NGO “Roma National Center”

109/1 Alexei Mateeevici str., ap. 306

Chisinau

Tel.: +373 22 227099, 244667 E-mail: radita@mtc.md

Montenegro/Monténégro

Mrs. Aleksandra ZLOKOVIC

Adviser - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration

Stanka Dragojevica 2

81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Tel.. +382 20 246 443; Fax. +382 20 225 702

E-mail. aleksandra.zlokovic@gov.me

Netherlands/Pays-Bas Mr Cornelis Marinus (Cor) de VOS

Former Mayor of Nieuwegein

Puccinihof 3, 3438 XW Nieuwegein

Tel.: +31306303876 ; Cell +31653165072

E-mail: cmdevos1@ziggo.nl

Norway/Norvège

Mrs Cecilie HAARE

Adviser - Department of Sami and Minority Affairs

Ministry of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs

Akersgt. 59, Oslo

P.O. Box 8004, N-0030 Oslo

Tel.: +47 22 24 70 95 ; Fax : + 47 22 24 95 38

E-mail : cecilie.haare@fad.dep.no

Poland/Pologne Mrs. Małgorzata RÓŻYCKA

Main Specialist

National and Ethnic Minorities Division

Department for Denominations and National and Ethnic Minorities

Ministry of the Interior and Administration

5 Stefan Batory Str., PL02-591 Warsaw

Tel.: +48 (0)22 60 144 22

Email: malgorzata.rozycka@mswia.gov.pl

Portugal

Apologised/excusé

Romania/Roumanie

Mr. Valentin MOCANU

Secretary of State

Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Protection

2 B Dem. I. Dobrescu Street

Sector 1, Bucharest

Tel.: +40 21 319 25 84; Fax: +40 21 311 05 80

E-mail: dialogsocial@mmuncii.ro

mailto:radita@mtc.mdmailto:aleksandra.zlokovic@gov.memailto:cmdevos1@ziggo.nlmailto:cecilie.haare@fad.dep.nomailto:malgorzata.rozycka@mswia.gov.plmailto:dialogsocial@mmuncii.ro

19

Russian Federation/Fédération de Russie

Mr. Sergey TOLKALIN

Deputy Director

Department for Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Rights

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

32/34 Smolenskaya-Sennaya sq., Moscow, 119 200

Tel.: +7 499 244 30 31/244 30 25 ; Fax: +7 499 244 30 45

E-mail : dgpch@mid.ru ; dgpch@yandex.ru

Serbia/Serbie

Mrs. Slavica DENIC

State Secretary

Ministry of Human and Minority Rights,

Public Administration and Local Self-Government

Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 2, 11000 Belgrade

Tel.: + 381 11 301 4880

E-mail : slavica.denic@ljudskaprava.gov.rs / anne.maria@ljudskaprava.gov.rs

Slovak Republic/République slovaque

Mr. Ján HERO

Member of the Board of the NGO “Through the Children to the Family”

Dolná 48/19, 967 01 Kremnica

Tel.: +421 915 988443; 421 45 6743082

Email: jan.hero@stonline.sk; skola@szsangykr.edu.sk; janhero.hero@gmail.com

Slovenia/Slovénie

Mrs. Vera KLOPČIČ

Higher scientific fellow at the Institute for Ethnic Studies

Erjavčeva 26, 1000 Ljubljana

Tel.: +386 1 200 18 74

E-mail: vera.klopcic@guest.arnes.si

Spain/Espagne

Mme Rocio ARIÑO SERRANO

Chef des Programmes - Sous-direction des Programmes Sociales

DG des Services pour la Famille et l’Enfance

Ministère de la santé, des Services sociaux et de l’Egalité

Po de la Castellana, 67, 6ème étage, Bureau B-633

28071 Madrid

Tel.: +34 918226592

E-mail: rarino@mspsi.es

Sweden/Suède

Mrs. Elin STRAND

Ämnessakkunnig/Special Adviser

Enheten för diskrimineringsfrågor / Division for Discrimination Issues

Arbetsmarknadsdepartementet / Ministry of Employment

Tel. (Direct no): +46 (0) 8 405 14 61; Mobile: +46 (0) 76 135 88 98

E-mail: elin.strand@employment.ministry.se

Switzerland/Suisse

Apologised/excusée

mailto:dgpch@mid.rumailto:dgpch@yandex.rumailto:slavica.denic@ljudskaprava.gov.rsmailto:anne.maria@ljudskaprava.gov.rsmailto:jan.hero@stonline.skmailto:skola@szsangykr.edu.skmailto:janhero.hero@gmail.commailto:vera.klopcic@guest.arnes.simailto:rarino@mspsi.esmailto:elin.strand@employment.ministry.se

20

“The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”/« L’ex-République yougoslave de Macédoine »

Mrs. Mabera KAMBERI (Chair/Présidente)

Head of the Sector for Coordination and Technical Assistance

Ministry of Labour and Social Policy

Ul Dame Gruev No. 14, MK- 1000 Skopje

Tel.: +389 2 3 106 224; Mobile: +389 75 367 632;

Fax: +389 2 311 0251

E-mail: mabera_k@yahoo.com

Turkey/Turquie

Mrs. Hande YALNIZOĞLU

Adviser to Ms. Nursuna Memecan, Member of the Parliament

Meşrutiyet Cad. Güneş Han No: 19 Beyoğlu / İstanbul

Tel.:+90 532 617 4656

E-mail: handeyalnizoglu@gmail.com

Mr. Osman ŞAHIN

Chief of Section at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism

Ismet Inönü Bulvari, No:5,

06100 Emek, Ankara

Tel.: +90 312 212 83 00 / 2009; Fax: +90 312 212 37 88

E-mail : osmansahin@kulturturizm.gov.tr

Mr. Cem EMRE

Department of International Relations and EU Coordination

Ministry of Culture and Tourism

İsmet İnönü Bulvarı. No:5

06100 Emek, Ankara.

Tel.: +90 312 212 83 00/2040; Mobile: +90 532 456 06 34

Fax: +90 312 212 37 88

E-mail: cem.emre@kulturturizm.gov.tr, cememre@ttmail.com

Ukraine

Mr. Petro GRYGORİCHENKO

President of the Association of public organisations “Congress of Roma of Ukraine”

38, Postova str.

03061 Kyiv

Tel.: +38 (044) 278 87 11; Mob.: 098 042 28 42

E-mail: forumo.romen@gmail.com

United Kingdom/Royaume Uni Mr. Ian NAYSMITH (Vice-Chair/Vice-président)

Head of Gypsy, Traveller & International Policy Equalities & Enterprise Division

Department for Communities and Local Government

Eland House (5/A1)

Bressenden Place

London SW1E 5DU

Tel: + 44 (0)303 444 2063. Fax: +44 (0)20 7944 2460

E6mail : Ian.Naysmith@communities.gsi.gov.uk

* * *

mailto:mabera_k@yahoo.commailto:handeyalnizoglu@gmail.commailto:osmansahin@kulturturizm.gov.trmailto:cem.emre@kulturturizm.gov.trmailto:cememre@ttmail.commailto:forumo.romen@gmail.commailto:Ian.Naysmith@communities.gsi.gov.uk

21

PARTICIPANTS

Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities

(FCNM) / Comité consultatif de la Convention-cadre pour la protection des minorités

nationales

Apologised/Excusé

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe/ l’Assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de

l’Europe

Mrs. Annette GROTH

Member of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population

E-mail: annette.groth@bundestag.de

Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe / Congrès des Pouvoirs

locaux et régionaux du Conseil de l’Europe

Mrs Antonella CAGNOLATI

Director of the Secretariat of the Congress

Tel: +33 3 88 41 21 07

E-mail: antonella.cagnolati@coe.int

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights / Commissaire aux Droits de l’Homme du

Conseil de l’Europe

Apologised/excusé

European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) / Commission européenne contre

le racisme et l’intolérance (ECRI)

M. François SANT’ANGELO

Member of ECRI

Conseiller juridique au Centre pour l'égalité des chances et la lutte contre le racisme à Bruxelles

Rue Royale, 138, B-1000 Brussels

Tel:+ 32 2 212 31 00

E-mail : Francois.SantAngelo@cntr.be

Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) / Banque de Développement du Conseil de

l’Europe

Apologised/excusée

* * *

OTHER PARTICIPANTS / AUTRES PARTICIPANTS

European Union / Union européenne

Mr. Detlev BOEING

Principal Administrator

DG Enlargement - Policy Coordination

European Commission

mailto:annette.groth@bundestag.demailto:antonella.cagnolati@coe.intmailto:Francois.SantAngelo@cntr.be

22

CHAR 4/245, rue de la Loi 170

B-1040 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0) 2 296 83 66; Fax:+32 (0) 2 296 74 32

Email: detlev.boeing@ec.europa.eu

Web: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement

Holy See/Saint-Siège

Rev. Do P. Gabriele F. BENTOGLIO

Sous-Secrétaire

Conseil Pontifical de la Pastorale pour les Migrants et les Itinérants

Via Calandrelli 11, I-00153 Roma

Tel : +39 (06) 69 88 73 95

E-mail: gbentoglio@migrants.va

OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Contact Point for Roma

and Sinti Issues (CPRSI) / Bureau de l’OSCE pour les institutions démocratiques et les droits

de l’homme (BIDDH) Point de contact pour les questions roms et sintis

Mr. Douglas WAKE

ODIHR Deputy Director

19 Ujazdowskie Avenue

PL - 00-557 Warsaw, Poland

E-mail : Douglas.Wake@odihr.pl

Mr. Andrzej MIRGA

Senior Adviser on Roma and Sinti Issues

19 Ujazdowskie Avenue

PL - 00-557 Warsaw, Poland

Tel : +48 22 520 06 00 x 1143; Fax: +48 22 520 06 05; Mob: +48 695 808 825

E-mail : Andrzej.Mirga@odihr.pl

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) / Programme des Nations Unies pour le

développement (PNUD)

Apologised/excusé

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) / Haut Commissariat des Nations

Unies pour les réfugiés (HCR)

Mrs. Selen AY

Senior Protection Associate

UNHCR Office in Ankara, Turkey

E-mail: ayselen@unhcr.org

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)/ Fonds des Nations Unies pour l’Enfance

(UNICEF)

Mrs Beate DASTEL

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

UNICEF Office in Kosovo

Nr. 1 Ali Pashë Tepelena Street

Prishtina, Kosovo, UNMIK

E-mail: bdastel@unicef.org

mailto:detlev.boeing@ec.europa.euhttp://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargementmailto:gbentoglio@migrants.vamailto:Douglas.Wake@odihr.plmailto:Andrzej.Mirga@odihr.plmailto:ayselen@unhcr.orgmailto:bdastel@unicef.org

23

* * *

OBSERVERS / OBSERVATEURS

European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF) / Forum européen des Roms et des Gens du

voyage (FERV) / Evropako Forumo e Romengo thaj e Phirutnengo (EFRP)

Mr. Rudko KAWCZYNSKI

President of the European Roma and Travellers Forum c/o Council of Europe

F-67075 Strasbourg cedex, France

Tel: + 33 (0)3 90 21 53 50 / 43 31; Fax: + 33 (0)3 90 21 56 58

E-mail : ertf@coe.int or ertf@ertf.org

Web: www.ertf.org

Mr. Gheorghe RADUCANU

ERTF Executive Committee Member

c/o Council of Europe

F-67075 Strasbourg cedex, France

Tel: + 33 (0)3 90 21 53 50 / 43 31; Fax: + 33 (0)3 90 21 56 58

E-mail : ertf@coe.int or ertf@ertf.org

European Roma Information Office (ERIO)/ Bureau d’information européen sur les Roms

Apologised/excusé

European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)/ Centre européen pour les droits des Roms (CEDR)

Apologised/excusé

Project on Ethnic Relations (PER)/ Projet sur les Relations ethniques

Apologised/excusé

Open Society Foundations (OSF)

Mr. Bernard RORKE

Director of International Advocacy and Research

Oktober 6. u. 12

H-1051 Budapest

Hungary

Tel: +36 1 327 3858

E-mail: brorke@osi.hu

Decade of Roma Inclusion Secretariat / Secrétariat de la Décennie pour l’intégration des Roms

Mrs. Tunde BUZETZKY

Head of the Roma Decade Secretariat

H-1066 Budapest

Terez krt 46, 4th floor

Tel: +36 1 411 1325; Fax: +36 1 411 1326

E-mail : tbuzetzky@decadesecretariat.org

mailto:ertf@coe.intmailto:ertf@ertf.orghttp://www.ertf.org/mailto:ertf@coe.intmailto:ertf@ertf.orgmailto:brorke@osi.hu

24

Mr. Adem ADEMI

Programme Coordinator

H-1066 Budapest, Terez krt 46, 4th floor

Tel: +36 1 411 1325; Fax: +36 1 411 1326; Cell:+36-30-641-49-86

E-mail : aademi@decadesecretariat.org

Mr. Marek SZILVASI

Intern

H-1066 Budapest, Terez krt 46, 4th floor

E-mail : mszilvasi@decadesecretariat.org

Forum of European Roma Young People (FERYP)/ Forum des jeunes Roms européens

Apologised/excusé

Roma Education Fund (REF) / Fonds pour l’éducation des Roms

Mr. Costel BERCUS

Chairman of the Board of REF

Terez krt. 46, Mark Center

H-1066 Budapest

Hungary

Phone: +36 1 235 8030

E-mail: cbercus@romaeducationfund.org

Web: www.romaeducationfund.org

Amnesty International / Amnestie internationale

Mrs Barbora CERNUSAKOVA

Researcher, EU Team, Europe and Central Asia Programme

1 Easton Street, London WC1X 0DW, UK

Tel: +44 20 7413 5759, Fax: +44 20 7956 1157

E-mail: bcernusa@amnesty.org

Mrs Rita PATRICIO

Executive Officer, Council of Europe

Rue de Trevesm 35, Bte. 3

1040 Brussels; Belgium

Tel: +32 2 502 14 99

E-mail: rpatricio@amnesty.eu

* * *

INTERPRETERS/INTERPRETES

English / French:

Christine TRAPP-GILL

Brian RIGGS

English / Romani:

Sejdo JASAROV

Diana SIMA

mailto:mszilvasi@decadesecretariat.orgmailto:cbercus@romaeducationfund.orghttp://www.romaeducationfund.org/mailto:bcernusa@amnesty.orgmailto:rpatricio@amnesty.eu

25

* * *

SECRETARIAT

Special Representative of the Secretary General for Roma issues / Représentant Spécial du

Secrétaire Général pour les questions relatives aux Roms

Mr Jeroen SCHOKKENBROEK

Special Representative of the Secretary General for Roma issues

Council of Europe, F – 67075 Strasbourg Cedex

Tel.: +33 3 88 41 22 79

E-mail: jeroen.schokkenbroek@coe.int

Support Team of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Roma issues / Equipe

d'appui du Représentant Spécial du Secrétaire Général pour les questions relatives aux Roms

Mr Sixto MOLINA

Head of the Support Team of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Roma issues

Council of Europe, F – 67075 Strasbourg Cedex

Tel.: +33 3 88 41 35 92

E-mail: sixto.molina@coe.int

Mr. Michaël GUET

Secretary of the CAHROM

Council of Europe, F – 67075 Strasbourg Cedex

Tel.: + 33 3 90 21 49 63

E-mail: michael.guet@coe.int

Mrs. Ljiljana STOJISAVLJEVIC

Assistant to the Secretary of the CAHROM

Council of Europe, F – 67075 Strasbourg Cedex

Tel.: +33 (0)3 88 41 33 73, Fax: +33 3 90 21 40 53

E-mail: ljiljana.stojisavljevic@coe.int

mailto:jeroen.schokkenbroek@coe.intmailto:sixto.molina@coe.intmailto:michael.guet@coe.intmailto:ljiljana.stojisavljevic@coe.int

26

Appendix 3

AD HOC COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON ROMA ISSUES

(CAHROM)

__________

Draft Declaration

on increasing anti-Gypsyism and racist violence against Roma in Europe

as adopted by the CAHROM at its 2nd

meeting in Istanbul

for adoption by the Committee of Ministers

__________

Declaration on increasing anti-Gypsyism and racist violence against Roma18

in Europe

1. In many countries, Roma are subject to racist violence directed against their persons and property. These attacks have sometimes resulted in serious injuries and deaths. This violence is not a new

phenomenon and has been prevalent in Europe for centuries. However, there has been a notable

increase of serious incidents in a number of member states, including serious cases of racist

violence, stigmatising anti-Roma rhetoric, and generalisations about criminal behaviour.

2. Such incidents have been publicly condemned by inter alia the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and his Special Representative for Roma issues, the Commissioner for Human Rights, the

Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the Council of Europe

Group of Eminent Persons, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), as

well as various international governmental and non-governmental organisations.

3. The Committee of Ministers recalls the priorities agreed by member states in the Strasbourg Declaration on Roma adopted at the Strasbourg High Level Meeting on 20 October 2010 which

include ensuring the timely and effective investigation of racially motivated crime and

strengthening efforts to combat hate speech and stigmatisation.

4. In its General Policy Recommendation no.1319 on combating anti-Gypsyism and discrimination against Roma ECRI recalls that anti-Gypsyism is a specific form of racism, an ideology founded

on racial superiority, a form of dehumanisation and institutional racism nurtured by historical

discrimination, which is expressed, among others, by violence, hate speech, exploitation,

stigmatisation and the most blatant kind of discrimination. As such, anti-Gypsyism is one the most

powerful mechanisms of Roma exclusion.

5. The effectiveness of strategies, programmes or action plans aimed at improving the situation and the integration of the Roma, be at international, national or local level, can be significantly

reinforced by resolute action to combat anti-Gypsyism and action to improve the trust between

Roma and the wider community, where appropriate building on ECRI’s guidelines. Such

documents should make clear that attitudes among the non-Roma population are a crucial factor

that needs to be addressed. Roma inclusion measures should include both measures targeted at the

Roma population (in particular positive measures) and measures targeted at the non Roma

population, notably to combat anti-Gypsyism and discrimination.

18 The term “Roma” used at the Council of Europe refers to Roma, Sinti, Kale and related groups in Europe, including

Travellers and the Eastern groups (Dom and Lom), and covers the wide diversity of the groups concerned, including persons

who identify themselves as “Gypsies”. 19 See the full text of ECRI’s General Policy Recommendation no. 13 at:

http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/activities/GPR/EN/Recommendation_N13/default_en.asp

http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/activities/GPR/EN/Recommendation_N13/default_en.asp

27

6. Against this background, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe:

i. expresses its deep concern about the rise of anti-Gypsyism, anti-Roma rhetoric and violent attacks against Roma which are incompatible with standards and values of the Council of

Europe and constitute a major obstacle to successful social inclusion of Roma and full

respect of their human rights;

ii. draws the attention of governments of member states to ECRI’s General Policy Recommendation No. 13, in particular its paragraph 8 which contains useful guidelines on

combating racist violence and crimes against Roma;

iii. calls on governments and public authorities at all levels and the media to refrain from using anti-Roma rhetoric, in particular during electoral campaigns, and to condemn

vigorously, swiftly and in public, all acts of racist violence against Roma, including threats

and intimidation, as well as hate speech directed against them;

iv. calls on governments and public authorities at all levels to be vigilant not to use Roma as easy targets and scapegoats, in particular in times of economic crisis, and to conduct in a

speedy and effective manner the requisite investigations of all crimes committed against

Roma and identify any racist motives for such acts, so that the perpetrators do not go

unpunished and escalation of ethnic tensions is avoided;

v. welcomes the existing examples of swift reaction from state and local authorities to hate crime and anti-Roma incidents, including legal responses (e.g. amendments of national

legislation to protect Roma from harassment and intimidation; prosecution and conviction

by national courts of persons committing such crimes, including through the Internet and

other media, preventing and condemning extremist organisations committing such crimes).

It stresses the need for effective action to record racist crimes, support victims, and

encourage the latter to report such racist incidents;

vi. recognises the interdependence of inclusion and anti-discrimination; therefore, any strategy, programme or policy developed to improve the situation and integration of Roma

should include, in addition to measures promoting the social and economic inclusion of

Roma in areas such as education, health, employment and housing, measures combating

discrimination and addressing anti-Gypsyism, in line with its Recommendation (2008)5 on

policies for Roma and/or Travellers in Europe. Such measures could include research on

the phenomenon and awareness-raising activities among the non Roma population,

conducted in co-operation with Roma organisations, with a view to addressing stereotypes

and prejudice towards Roma. In this respect, it recognizes the role and responsibility of

media and journalists. It also recalls that the Council of Europe Dosta! campaign is one of

the tools at disposal of member states and encourages them to use it;

vii. underlines the need for all member states to adopt specific and comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation in line with international and European standards; to set up anti-

discrimination bodies equipped to promote equal treatment and to assist victims of

discrimination; and to ensure that this legislation is effectively implemented.

28

Appendix 4

AD HOC COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON ROMA ISSUES

(CAHROM)

__________

PROPOSAL OF THE BUREAU

on CAHROM’s future working methods,

under items 4 i. and 4 ii. of its Terms of Reference

adopted by the CAHROM

at its 2nd

meeting (Istanbul, Turkey, 22-25 November 2011)

__________

Background

1. At its first meeting, held in Strasbourg on 30-31 March 2011, the Ad Hoc Committee of Experts on Roma Issues (CAHROM) proceeded with an exchange of views on its future role,

working methods and thematic priorities.

2. The Committee agreed at that meeting that “it should give space on its future agenda for thematic exchanges of experience and good practices, as well as analysis of the

implementation of policies in order to draw conclusions about lessons learnt that will be of

benefit to other member states”20

. It took note that “its Terms of Reference place priority

emphasis on analysis and evaluation of the implementation of national policies on Roma in

light of international standards, and in particular those developed by the Council of Europe,

without pursuing activities relating to monitoring”21

.

3. In order for the Bureau members to make further proposals to the Committee regarding working methods, the Committee was requested by the Chair to provide the Secretariat with

answers to questions both concerning thematic priorities for which member states would like

to gain more knowledge and experience from other countries, together with thematic topics

on which member states could share good practices and policy measures with other countries.

4. The Secretariat collected answers to those questions in document CAHROM (2011)12rev22. A summary table of identified thematic priorities and countries requesting and offering a

thematic exchange of experience is appended to document CAHROM (2011)12rev.

Rationale

20 See paragraph 6 of document CAHROM (2011)14 Meeting report of the 1st CAHROM meeting (Strasbourg, 29-30 March

2011). 21 Ibid. 22 At the time of the Bureau meeting (7 September 2011), twenty-two CAHROM members had sent replies.

29

5. The Bureau has examined practical ways and means of implementing the Terms of Reference of the CAHROM, in particular items 4.i and 4.ii.

23, having in mind that, during plenary

meetings, time is too limited to enable a thorough exchange of information and deep analysis

and assessment of policies.

6. On the other hand, the Bureau underlines the key role that the CAHROM, due to its unique mandate and composition, can play in this respect at a time of international momentum

generated by various international organisations/institutions and their member states

regarding the design, implementation and assessment of national strategies/action plans for

Roma24

.

7. The Bureau believes that the CAHROM’s main role is to be a forum where member states having a national experience/expertise to share with others or wishing to receive expertise

from other member states in a specific thematic policy area could exchange experience at a

governmental expert level. The Bureau equally agrees that a mutual analysis and assessment

of specific thematic policy areas with a view to drawing up lessons learnt would be of benefit

for the countries concerned and possibly for the whole CAHROM membership.

8. The Bureau stresses that this is not a monitoring exercise since the CAHROM has no mandate to assess the compliance of national policies with the Council of Europe’s

standards25

. The purpose is entirely pragmatic, i.e. to learn from each other, bearing in mind

that each member state has both something to learn and to offer. The ultimate common

objective is an overall improvement of the effectiveness of Roma integration policies across

Europe and, thus, the situation of the Roma themselves.

Proposals

9. Taking into account in particular the thematic policy areas identified through the replies to the questionnaire [see document CAHROM(2011)12rev] and the common thematic interest

shared by several member states, it is suggested that a selected number of thematic policy

areas be studied, analysed and evaluated at each plenary meeting of the CAHROM.26

23 The relevant paragraphs of item 4 of the Terms of Reference read as follows:

i. study, analyse and evaluate the implementation of policies (national programmes and/or action plans) and identify

good practices of member states concerning Roma, with a view to promoting implementation of relevant Council of

Europe standards and contributing to the European database on policies/good practices for the integration of

Roma to be set up by the Council of Europe;

ii. exchange information, views and experience on member states’ policies, good practices and measures relating to

Roma at national, regional and local level, and in the context of relevant instruments of the Council of Europe, in

order to assist member states in the development and implementation of the “Strasbourg initiatives” and effective

policies for Roma integration, with due regard to the relevant standards and instruments of the Council of Europe

and bearing in mind the specific situation in each member state;

24 For instance, the Strasbourg Declaration adopted on 20 October 2010, the report of the Group of Eminent Persons, the

Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Recommendations, in particular Rec.(2008)5 on policies for Roma and/or

Travellers in Europe, the OSCE Action Plan on Roma and Sinti, the Communication of the European Commission on an EU

Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies and the EU Council Decision adopted on 27 June 2011 during the

Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council, as well as the objectives of the Decade for Roma Inclusion (2005-2015). 25 See paragraph 4.v of the Terms of Reference which reads as follows:

v. keep under review the situation of Roma in member states in the light of relevant legal instruments of the Council

of Europe, without pursuing activities relating to monitoring;

26 The Bureau notes that the CAHROM will be able, as from 2012, to hold a three-day plenary meeting in Strasbourg and a

four-day plenary meeting outside of Strasbourg hosted by a member state, including a one-day field visit.

30

10. The list of specific thematic policy areas identified for the following year should be agreed at the autumn plenary meeting of the CAHROM. During the same plenary, a group of countries

(e.g. three or four) should be identified per theme, taking into consideration as much as

possible geographical coverage, the size of the Roma population, as well as the institutional

framework, in order to ensure the best possible transfer of experience.

11. In light of paragraph 5 above, the Bureau proposes that, in between plenary meetings, bringing together small groups of experts (e.g. three-four experts) would be the best format

for studying, analysing and evaluating the agreed thematic policy areas in selected countries.

The group of experts would comprise an expert from the country seeking relevant experience

from other member states (hereafter “the requesting country”) and experts from countries

willing to offer their experience on that particular thematic topic (hereafter “the partner

countries”).

12. Experts taking part in the exercise should preferably be CAHROM members having the necessary thematic expertise. The CAHROM member can, however, designate another

relevant expert to be part of the team. The expert from the requesting country should work in

this particular thematic area and the exchange of experience should be of benefit to his/her

work in the short term. He/she should also be able to influence national policy in the specific

thematic area. As far as possible, experts from partner countries should have a similar profile.

Each working group should have one working language, either English or French. All experts

in the same working group should be fluent in that language.

13. As regards the contribution of “other participants” and “observers” (i.e. international organisations and NGOs listed in paragraphs 5.C and 5.D of the CAHROM’s Terms of

Reference), and bearing in mind that “the Committee [shall] seek synergies with the work of

other international organisations active in this area, in particular with the European

Union”27

, the Bureau feels it important to recognise that CAHROM members and observers

have different roles and responsibilities. The Bureau stresses that international organisations

and NGOs will, nevertheless, be given the opportunity to bring an input into the work of the

team of experts, either during the visit to the requesting country, through written information

provided to the experts’ team or by providing comments on the team’s report when presented

in the plenary.

14. Once the list of thematic areas and groups of countries is established, the CAHROM members concerned should provide experts of the same thematic group, via the Secretariat,

with all relevant information covering the specific thematic area (legislation, relevant

chapters of the national Roma strategy/action plan, relevant data, list of measures and

projects implemented, financial means made available, quantitative and qualitative

indicators, results of impact assessment studies, criteria used to assess the impact of the

national policy in this particular thematic area, etc.). This information should be made

available in one of the common Council of Europe official languages of the team of experts.

15. The experts should also be provided, through the Secretariat, with other sources of information such as relevant Council of Europe, EU, OSCE, World Bank, UN and NGO

documents/studies/reports, etc.

16. Following receipt by the experts of this material, the experts may seek complementary information from other members of the team.

27 Last paragraph of item 4 of the Terms of Reference.

31

17. The requesting country is expected to invite the other experts of the team to visit that country. Direct discussion with relevant actors (policy makers, Roma organisations, NGOs, local

offices of international organisations, etc.) will be highly valuable in terms of informing the

experts’ work and drafting the report.