Introductory remarks on Roma inclusion Belgrade, 27 October 2014 Tatjana Peric OSCE/ODIHR Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues osce.org/odihr

Mandate of OSCE/ODIHR  In 2003, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) adopted the OSCE Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area, whereby the OSCE participating States committed to combating racism and discrimination, ensuring equal access and opportunities in education, employment, housing and health services, enhancing public and political participation, and assisting Roma and Sinti in crisis and post-crisis situations.  OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is mandated to assist participating States in implementing the Action Plan, to review periodically the situation of Roma and Sinti, and to recommend action to improve this situation.

Mandate of OSCE/ODIHR Ministerial Council decisions: Enhancing OSCE Efforts to Implement the Action Plan with a specific focus to provide “equal access to education and to promote early education for Roma and Sinti” (Helsinki No. 6/2008) Enhancing OSCE Efforts to Ensure Sustainable Integration with a specific focus “to address the rise of violent manifestations of intolerance against Roma and Sinti” (Athens No. 8/2009) Enhancing OSCE Efforts on Implementing the Action Plan with a particular focus on Roma and Sinti women, youth and children (Kiev, No. 4/2013)

OSCE/ODIHR Status Reports  The Status Reports on the implementation of the Action Plan do not dwell on the situation in particular countries in detail, but reflect on current developments and trends, and on the implementation of commitments.  2008 and 2013 Status Reports.  Methodology in 2013: responses to questionnaires from 41 out of 57 participating States, in addition to information from other sources, or gathered by OSCE institutions and field operations.  The 2013 Status Report also includes information provided by EU Member States in the documents submitted to the EC in the context of the Framewrok for National Roma Integration Strategies (NRIS).

OSCE participating States and institutional memberships  OSCE: 57 participating States  Council of Europe: 47 Member States  European Union: 28 Member States  Decade of Roma Inclusions : 12 participating states and two observer states  Common themes: education, employment, housing and health

EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies EP Resolution of 9 March 2011 on the EU Strategy on Roma Inclusion - EC Communication of 5 April 2011: An EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to EC Communication of 21 May 2012 on NRIS: A first step in the implementation of the EU Framework [assessment of NRIS] EC Communication of 26 June 2013 on Steps forward in implementing NRIS [progress report on NRIS implementation] - Council Recommendation on Effective Roma integration measures in the Member States on 5 December EP Resolution of 12 December 2013 on the progress made in the implementation of the NRIS 2014 Report on the implementation of the EU Framework for NRIS

Key findings of the 2013 Status Report on the Implementation of the OSCE Action Plan on Roma and Sinti Positive developments:  ODIHR received 41 responses to the questionnaire it sent to participating States (pS);  pS achieved a stage at which Roma policy is becoming standardized, in some countries filters down to the local level, and is generally better funded then before;  The increased EU funding for implementation of Roma strategies and action plans, especially in new EU member States or countries aiming at EU accession,  Adoption and strengthening of anti-discrimination legislation;  Increased number of housing initiatives and the funding made available for improving the housing conditions of Roma;  Expanding Roma health mediator programmes and the institutionalization of frameworks for these programmes in several participating States;

Key findings of the 2013 Status Report on the Implementation of the OSCE Action Plan on Roma and Sinti Positive developments:  From a policy perspective, education for Roma has, compared to other areas, received greater attention from international organizations and national governments. The various programmes and projects (e.g. teaching assistants and scholarships) aimed at increasing Roma school attendance or registration in primary education present positive developments in this area.  Roma representation in elected bodies, especially at the municipal level, has been strengthened.  Establishment of Roma minority councils in several participating States as advisory bodies representing Roma interests, legitimized through direct Roma voting.

Key findings of the 2013 Status Report on the Implementation of the OSCE Action Plan on Roma and Sinti No changes/negative trends:  Data collection: there has been no change in the quality of data about Roma and Sinti gathered by the participating States.  Measuring implementation is difficult due to a continued absence of robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. While most participating States monitor spending or programme beneficiaries, they do not collect data to assess programme outcomes.

Key findings of the 2013 Status Report on the Implementation of the OSCE Action Plan on Roma and Sinti No changes/negative trends:  No change has been achieved in reversing the negative health trends in Roma communities. Concern remains about instances of discrimination in access to health services and dire health conditions, especially for Roma immigrants.  Key challenges have not yet been overcome, and there has been no change in increasing access to quality education for Roma and Sinti children. The improper channelling of Roma and Sinti children into “special” education remains a problem.

Key findings of the 2013 Status Report on the Implementation of the OSCE Action Plan on Roma and Sinti No changes/negative trends:  Economic downturn has deepened negative trends in Roma employment, especially as increased competition on the labour market has significantly limited the opportunities of even skilled Roma to obtain jobs. Discrimination by employers continues to be a determining factor in Roma employment and it has had a negative impact on significant initiatives and efforts undertaken by pS to increase employability and provide jobs and income opportunities to Roma.  Negative trend: Disturbing number of hate crimes against Roma, the use of extremist anti-Roma rhetoric, and continuing reports of police ill-treatment.

Conclusions Education With regards to structural discrimination, the ECtHR judgments should guide state reforms in this area, with the aim of combating the segregation of Roma children in school systems and effectively preventing Roma children from being improperly channeled into “special” education streams. Increasing disadvantaged Roma children’s access to early childhood education, to quality education, to inclusive education, and to scholarship schemes for their continuing education, as well as increasing the engagement of Roma parents in their children’s education, are the preconditions for Roma success in education Governments need to reassess their spending on children’s education. There is surprisingly little spent, for example, on scholarships. The poor educational outcomes of Roma children need to be urgently addressed. Programmes to promote and ensure the attendance by Roma students at all levels of compulsory education should be in place. The participating States must prioritize the incorporation of Roma children into mainstream education from preschool forward.

Conclusions Employment Attention is needed in the range of services provided through employment programmes of the context in Roma communities, i.e., to the very low education levels and skill of many of the beneficiaries, and to the effects of discrimination on the labour market. Positive practices, such as the promotion of Roma as health, education and employment mediators at the local level, as well as in advisory positions in municipal authorities, can serve the double purpose of providing employment and undercutting negative perceptions that lead to discrimination against Roma on labour markets. The opportunity the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies represents should be taken by EU Member States to increase their activities to enhance programmes for Roma social inclusion in the areas of employment and income.

Conclusions Health Addressing the health status of Roma requires attention to the underlying root causes of their health status, i.e. living conditions that are detrimental and hazardous to their health. It is also crucial to tackle issues related to discrimination against Roma. The health systems in many participating States still remain inaccessible to many Roma, especially to the severely marginalized. Comprehensive approaches to ensuring that Roma receive personal documents are needed. The provision of a comprehensive package of polices targeting Roma children, mothers and caregivers. The provision of equitable, universal access to health care services — regardless of the ability to pay — should be a priority.

Conclusions Housing Governments should address housing conditions as an urgent challenge. Improving this situation will require long-term Roma housing policies, with sufficient funding and subsidization policies for social housing for some time into the future. Social housing legislation for vulnerable groups, to establish long-term support mechanisms to alter their living conditions, is a prerequisite. Major steps need to be taken with regard to regularizing the status of Roma settlements that are currently illegal. Halting and reversing the dangerous trend of segregation and ghettoization should also be a priority.

Thank you for your attention!