Position of the EU Roma Policy Coalition on the European Commission’s Working Paper on Roma Inclusion

BRUSSELS—The European Roma Policy Coalition released a letter today detailing its position on the European Commission’s July 2 working paper on EU Instruments and Policies for Roma Inclusion. The coalition noted the many gaps and failures in the current approach taken by the EU and member states to foster Roma inclusion.

Noting a sense of déjà vu, the coalition highlighted the failure on the part of the European Commission to develop an ambitious strategy, long term planning, or direct commitment for a coordinated EU Roma strategy, and called for the commission to acknowledge its accountability and failure to take action.

In conclusion, the coalition looked to September’s EU High Level Conference on Roma as a potential turning point for the issue that could result in an ambitious policy benefiting Roma across the European Union.

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The European Roma Policy Coalition brings together national and international NGOs working on discrimination, human rights and social inclusion issues. They work with Roma communities in different countries and bring crucial field experience to the analysis of Roma discrimination. They are: Amnesty International-EU Office; European Roma Rights Center; European Roma Information Office; European Network Against Racism; Open Society Institute-Brussels; Spolu International Foundation; Minority Rights Group International; European Roma Grassroots Organisation; Roma Education Fund; and Fundacion Secretariado Gitano.