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Roma
There are approximately 10 million
Roma living in Europe. They are present in almost all
Council of Europe member states and indeed, in some Central
and Eastern European countries, they represent over 5 % of
the population.
Although Roma have made an important contribution to the
European cultural heritage, they remain one of the most
marginalised groups across Europe. They are Europe's largest
minority and often stateless.
Roma face many different problems - difficulties in
accessing education and finding jobs, discrimination in
health care and housing, intolerance and even violence.
The Council of Europe believes that Roma are European
citizens and therefore their citizenship and human rights
must be recognised. It is a host organisation of the
European Roma and Travellers Forum and it also runs the
Dosta Campaign which promotes the fight against stereotypes
and prejudices towards Roma.
At a High Level meeting organised in
Strasbourg on 20 October 2010, representatives of the 47
Council of Europe countries, the EU and the Roma community
gathering unanimously condemned widespread discrimination
against Roma and their social and economic marginalisation.
The project to train
Roma mediators has begun in March 2011, signalling a period
of innovation in work for the Roma at international level.
Podcast
More information
High Level meeting at the Council of Europe
Strasbourg, 20 October 2010
Short film "Rejected"