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Jarmila Balážová: Petition against foreigners is cheap, hateful and populist

Prague, 10.4.2014 20:20, (ROMEA) The opposition "Dawn of Direct Democracy" (Úsvit) movement is launching a petition for tightening EU immigration policy. According to the head of the movement, Czech MP Tomio Okamura, the petition is being launched EU-wide and its aim is to change the relevant legislation on immigration.  full story

Czech poll: Roma least-liked, Russians lose favor

Prague, 10.4.2014 16:26, (ROMEA) A survey taken in March by the Center for Public Opinion Research (Centrum pro výzkum veřejného mínění - CVVM) in the Czech Republic has found that Czechs still prefer Slovaks (as in previous years) and still like Romani people the least, while their view of Russians has worsened. The Roma were described as "unlikeable" by almost four-fifths of respondents.  full story

Czech Gov't Agency for Social Inclusion director: Inclusion is a trend that cannot be stopped

Prague, 9.4.2014 23:29, (ROMEA) "Inclusion is a trend that cannot be stopped. More and more parents are behind it and more and more directors are managing their schools to be open to all children," said Martin Šimáček, director of the Czech Government Agency for Social Inclusion in an interview for the second issue of the Škola All Inclusive newsletter, which news server Romea.cz brings you in translation below.  full story

On International Roma Day, OSCE/ODIHR Director calls for greater efforts to improve co-operation between police and Roma communities

Warsaw, 9.4.2014 23:26, (ROMEA) Ambassador Janez Lenarčič, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), called today for greater efforts to improve relations and co-operation between police forces and Roma communities. On the occasion of International Roma Day, he further called on law-enforcement authorities to ensure effective police responses to violence against Roma and Sinti people in the OSCE area.  full story

Secretary of State John Kerry on International Roma Day 2014

Washington, 8.4.2014 23:18, (ROMEA) Today of all days, all the American people are particularly thinking of the Roma around the world. We celebrate the rich Romani culture and contributions to our societies in Europe, the United States, and beyond. We also renew our commitment to remove the obstacles that keep millions of Roma on the margins of society and prevent them from realizing their full potential.  full story

International Roma Day: UN expert urges full inclusion of Roma in decision-making in Europe

Geneva, 8.4.2014 22:56, (ROMEA) On International Roma Day, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Rita Izsák, calls on all European States and institutions to fully include Roma people in the decision-making process in Europe at all levels.  full story

Hungary: Monument criticized by Jewish community starts construction

Budapest, 9.4.2014 21:11, (ROMEA) In Budapest the construction of a monument marking the 70th anniversary of the German occupation of Hungary has begun despite strong criticism of it by the Hungarian Jewish community. The MTI press agency reports that the Hungarian Government announced the start of construction today.  full story

Commentary: "Fear and Loathing" in the Dawn of Direct Democracy party

Prague, 9.4.2014 20:28, (ROMEA) Czech author Bohumil Hrabal once wrote of his friend Vladimír Boudník that he was renewing the myth of Dionysius (the drunken beauty who is the source of all creative action) and the myth of Antaeus (the hero who was only strong as long as he remained in contact with the earth). Czech MP Tomio Okamura is now reviving a few myths of his own as well.  full story

Jewish organizations fear rise of anti-Semitism in the EU during elections

Berlin, 9.4.2014 19:09, (ROMEA) The eventual success of right-wing extremist parties in the EP elections could lead to a strengthening of anti-Semitic rhetoric in Europe and could contribute to increased attacks against Jewish people. Rabbi Andrew Baker, the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Anti-Semitism, warned of such a possibility on Monday.  full story

Czech Gov't report: More than 41 000 people consider Romanes their mother tongue

Prague, 9.4.2014 18:40, (ROMEA) More than 41 000 people in the Czech Republic consider Romanes their mother tongue. Four-fifths of them also consider Czech their mother tongue as well.  full story

Council of Europe: Most Romani people in Europe suffer from poverty and segregation

Strasbourg, France, 9.4.2014 0:35, (ROMEA) Most of the 10 million Romani people living in Europe continue to suffer from overwhelming poverty and segregation. Despite European programs to support the integration of Romani people into society, the situation is improving only slowly.  full story

George Soros: Three Ways to Build Upon Roma Progress

Brussels, 9.4.2014 0:30, (ROMEA) Some years ago, I visited a village in Romania, and saw the seeds of a crisis at hand. The area was home to the Roma, an ethnic minority of 10 to 12 million people scattered across Europe who face discrimination and persecution on a daily basis. In this village, the Roma were scavenging on a garbage dump. Without help, I realized, sons would join their fathers on the dump; daughters could only hope to be married off. There was no clear way to escape their fate.  full story

Czech Republic: Romani activist says excluded localities aren't just about welfare

Karviná, 9.4.2014 0:01, (ROMEA) They may be poor, but their culture is rich. That's how Milan Horváth, General Director of the Excluded Locality Center (Centrum pro vyloučenou lokalitu) describes the group of people who have come together in the New Town neighborhood of the Czech town of Karviná.  full story

Improving the Rights of Roma in Italy

Rome, 8.4.2014 23:26, (ROMEA) April 8 is International Roma Day, a moment when Europe can recognize one of its largest—at 12 million members—and most marginalized groups.  full story

Joint press statement: International Roma Day: Strong call for solidarity ahead of European elections

Brussels, 8.4.2014 23:20, (ROMEA) Roma across Europe continue to be the victims of racist attacks, widespread discrimination and hate speech. Today, on International Roma Day, anti-racist organisations are seriously concerned about the prevalence of anti-Gypsyism, and pledge to join forces to curb racism and hate speech ahead of the European elections.  full story

Germany: Second in command of ultra-right party resigns

Berlin, 8.4.2014 21:52, (ROMEA) The second in command of Germany's largest ultra-right party, the NPD, has resigned after being criticized for participating in a social event featuring a penis-shaped cake and a former porn actress. Peter Marx said Sunday he was resigning from his post as the party's Secretary-General, officially over the "public debate about his person".  full story

Miroslav Kováč: International Romani Day is a day for Roma to present themselves

Prague, 8.4.2014 20:42, (ROMEA) There is no doubt that Romani people are one of the largest minorities in the world. Their numbers in Europe are estimated at more than 12 million.  full story

Czech Human Rights Minister on Int'l Romani Day: Let's address the situation seriously

Prague, 8.4.2014 19:49, (ROMEA) Czech Minister for Human Rights, Equal Opportunities and Legislation Jiří Dientsbier has issued a press release on the occasion of International Romani Day. News server Romea.cz publishes it in full translation here.  full story

David Beňák: Roma Summit showed places in Europe where things work

Brussels, 8.4.2014 18:57, (ROMEA) The EU Roma Summit in Brussels on 4 April brought together representatives of the European Commission, governments, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and Romani people themselves, some of whom had the opportunity of presenting on the day's panels. The summit was addressed by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Vice President Viviane Reding, Commissioner László Andor and Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou, demonstrating that some EU politicians are aware this topic exists and is of importance.  full story

Roma in Europe: Demanding justice and protection in the face of violence

EU, 8.4.2014 9:37, (ROMEA) European states are failing to curb and in some cases even fuelling discrimination, intimidation and violence against Roma, Amnesty International said on International Roma Day on 8 April.  full story