Expert Conference at the Home of Jean Monnet

In partnership with the Migrant and European Citizenship Platform (PMC), the Jean Monnet Association has organized a conference for 26 novembre 2010 on the theme of:

Gypsies and Travelers: What is their future? What perspectives in the European Union?

The number of Gypsies (“Rroms” according to the spelling in the recommended Gypsy language by the NGO representatives of Gypsy communities) in the EU is estimated to be about 12 million.

The vast majority of them is sedentary or mainly moves about within the borders of their own countries. The last ten years have seen a growth from Eastern European countries to Western European countries, resulting in wars, persecution, or even the widespread problem of poverty and discrimination

Throughout history, Gypsies have been confronted with serious obstacles regarding the enjoyment of their fundamental rights and this situation still exists today in every member state of the EU. Despite the many positive initiatives and developments on the national and European levels, Gypsies are still faced with major obstacles in the enjoyment of their basic rights: intolerance and negative stereotypes often profoundly anchored in society and reinforced by the media and political and public commentaries.

The summer of 2010 has been marked by infringements on fundamental human rights of Gypsy and Traveler populations in the European Union. Indeed, many governments have used Gypsies as scapegoats for their policies. These practices go against the ideal rule of law, peace, and tolerance brought by the Founding Fathers of Europe.

This is why the Jean Monnet Association took the initiative, together with the Platform PMC Europe, to organize this conference with the objective of creating reflection trails and recommendations so as to fix national systems and communities in consideration of Gypsy and Traveler populations.

photo PMC/AJM

This day was the chance for Gypsies and non-Gypsies alike to talk about the subject and engage in an actual debate with those who came from all different levels of representation, ranging from European Parliament members, NGOs and representative associations for human rights to local activists who work with Gypsy and traveler populations in different states of the EU.

Juan de Dios Ramirez Heredia and Karima Delli (photo PMC/AJM)

A large panel of experts and personalities participated in the debates: Representatives of institutions and major European NGOs: K. Delli (European Deputy of the Green/ Free European Alliance), J. Ramírez Heredia (ex-Spanish European Deputy, President of the Rromani Union of Spain), P. Barge (AEDH), I. Ivanov (ERIO) ; Associate and Local Actors: L. Presber (President of the French Association of Female Gypsies), S. Mile (President of the « Voice of Rroms ») ; Researchers/Lecturers: J. Gamonet (writer, linguist), Dr S. Carmona (LEF).   At the end of the day, "The Final Declaration of Houjarray on Rroms" had been drafted under the guise of a group of recommendations in favor of better political and civil representation, better access to housing and education for Gypsy and Traveler populations, as well as with the intention of inviting civil society to denounce and fight against all forms of discrimination that they encounter.