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Summit of Mayors on Roma to consolidate local and regional action for Roma inclusion

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe organized this Summit of Mayors devoted to Roma in Europe, which takes place on September 22 in Strasbourg (France) with more than 300 people from 24 countries.

Live broadcast at the Website of the Summit 

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The FSG considers a backward step in terms of human rights the new work permit set by the Spanish Government for Romanian citizens

On July 22, the Ministry of Labour and Immigration passed an instruction amending the legal conditions for the residence of Romanian workers in our country: re-establishing the transitional period and several limitations on work market access for Romanian employees. The Government embraces a safeguard clause in the Act concerning the conditions of accession of Romania and the adjustments of the Treaties of the EU, limiting the regime of free movement of employees coming from Romania to Spain in vigour since 2009. This measure is seen as temporary and will be reviewed at the end of 2012.

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The EP publishes a Study on Roma EU citizens in the European Union

The EU Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs recently published a study on measures to promote the situation of Roma EU citizens in the EU.

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The ERPC has achieved the goal set in 2008: Finally Europe has a Strategy for the Roma population

(Brussels, 24 June 2011) As Europe’s Romani population prepares for the possibility of another summer of targeted expulsions and evictions, the European Roma Policy Coalition (ERPC) has welcomed today’s endorsement by EU heads of government of the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies.

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EU leaders give a boost to EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies

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European Economic and Social Committee adopts two important opinions on Roma at its plenary session

"Time has come for a real inclusion of Roma". On Thursday 16 June, at the plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee two important opinions on Roma were adopted. The Committee, welcoming the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies set up by the Commission, once again called for a real inclusion of Roma in European society.

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The Hungarian State Secretary for Social inclusion visits the Fundación Secretariado Gitano to get to know key measures targeting the Roma in Spain

Zoltán Balog, the Hungarian State Secretary for Social inclusion, -and delegation- visited Spain on the 7^th and 8^th of June with a particular interest on the policies targeting the Roma in our country. The objective of the visit was to learn by firsthand the situation of the Spanish Roma and identify good initiatives.

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The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg highlights the FSG Acceder programme as a good practice to improve the social inclusion of Roma

As a follow up to the field visit made last April, 2011 to learn by firsthand the situation of the Roma population in our country, the Commissioner sent to the Spanish Minister of Health, Social Policy and Equality, Ms. Leire Pajin, a letter highlighting that constructive programmes to foster Roma inclusion have been implemented in Spain and that this should be consolidated and strengthened.

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EURoma Network discusses in Prague Guide for local and regional authorities on the use of Structural Funds for the social inclusion of Roma

On 11th-12th May 2011, the EURoma Network (European Network on Social Inclusion and Roma under the Structural Funds), the Technical Secretariat of which is held by the Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG), held in Prague (Czech Republic) its half-yearly meeting.

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Europe2020 Strategy: paving the way to the integration of Roma

The last months have witnessed important developments regarding the implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy, which paves the way towards the full development and integration of Roma population.

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The European Parliament overwhelmingly approved the resolution on the future strategy for the Inclusion of Roma, March 9, 2011

This resolution, adopted by 576 votes in favor, 32 against and 60 abstentions, trying to influence the future strategy for Roma Inclusion of the Commission to launch in April. The resolution seeks to have certain minimum mandatory standards at European level to improve Roma access to employment, education, housing and health, also calls for better protection of fundamental rights and a better use of European resources . Commission should present a roadmap for introducing these minimum mandatory standards at European level.

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The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) evaluates the Spanish Report in Geneva

Within the 78th Session of the CERD, at the UN Headquarters in Geneva, several country reports are being  examinated. During this week took place the assesment on the Spanish situation of discrimination based on racial or ethnic background. The FSG with other NGOs submitted a Shadow Report to the Committee.

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NGOs ask to be consulted in the process of the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies

A group of European and Hungarian Romani and non-Romani organisations, including the Fundación Secretariado Gitano as a member of the ERPC, sent a letter to the Hungarian government and the European Commission, asking for an open consultation process with NGOs regarding the upcoming European Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies. 

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European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopts resolution on EU strategy for Roma inclusion

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the European Parliament adopted on 14 February its draft report on the EU strategy on Roma inclusion with an overwhelming majority.

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ECRI's 4th report on Spain highlights significant progress in the fight against discrimination

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), an independent body established by the Council of Europe in order to monitor issues concerning racism and intolerance, has just published its fourth report on the situation of racism and intolerance in Spain. The report, based on a methodology that combines literature review, contact visits and confidential dialogue with national authorities, emphasizing the significant progress made in the last five years in Spain.

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Other news

• The FSG considers a backward step in terms of human rights the new work permit set by the Spanish Government for Romanian citizens
• The EP publishes a Study on Roma EU citizens in the European Union
• ECRI's 4th report on Spain highlights significant progress in the fight against discrimination
• The FSG Discrimination Annual Report reflects the labour discrimination growth