Motion for a resolution | Doc. 13576 | 04 July 2014

Promoting Roma inclusion at the local level

Signatories: Ms Guguli MAGRADZE, Georgia, SOC ; Mr Viorel Riceard BADEA, Romania, EPP/CD ; Mr Robert BIEDROŃ, Poland, SOC ; Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Latvia, SOC ; Ms Ismeta DERVOZ, Bosnia and Herzegovina, EPP/CD ; Ms Sahiba GAFAROVA, Azerbaijan, EDG ; Ms Maria GIANNAKAKI, Greece, SOC ; Ms Gabriela HEINRICH, Germany, SOC ; Ms Rózsa HOFFMANN, Hungary, EPP/CD ; Ms Athina KYRIAKIDOU, Cyprus, SOC ; Mr José MENDES BOTA, Portugal, EPP/CD ; Ms Sandra OSBORNE, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Mechthild RAWERT, Germany, SOC ; Ms Fatiha SAÏDI, Belgium, SOC ; Mr Dimitrios SALTOUROS, Greece, SOC ; Ms Milena SANTERINI, Italy, NR ; Mr Senad ŠEPIĆ, Bosnia and Herzegovina, EPP/CD ; Mr Mher SHAHGELDYAN, Armenia, EPP/CD ; Mr Snorre Serigstad VALEN, Norway, UEL ; Mr Nikolaj VILLUMSEN, Denmark, UEL ; Baroness Judith WILCOX, United Kingdom, EDG

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

In some Council of Europe member States, Roma inclusion has become a tangible fact rather than a goal to be reached. Roma live integrated in society. Their participation in the economic, social, cultural and political life provides opportunities for interaction and exchange. These experiences are an efficient way of combating stereotyping and convey a positive message about Roma.

The European Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion created a forum for local political actors to exchange and foresees the participation of the Roma population in projects. The Decade of Roma Inclusion (2005-2015), to which 12 Council of Europe member States took part, focused on combating discrimination against Roma in access to education, employment, healthcare and housing. Inclusion could also be considered from a complementary point of view, with an emphasis on actively encouraging participation rather than from an anti-discrimination angle only.

Members of the Parliamentary Assembly and national parliamentarians play a crucial role for Roma inclusion. The Assembly should promote examples of efficient Roma inclusion which will contribute to combating prejudice, stereotyping and hatred against Roma in Europe. To this end, on the basis of a report analysing these experiences, the Assembly should raise awareness on existing good practice and formulate recommendations on how to strengthen Roma inclusion at the local level.