To mark the 50^th anniversary of the International Roma Congress, held in London in 1971, an online conference on Combatting Antigypsyism: A Forward-looking Perspective in Albania, took place today in Tirana, under the auspices of the joint European Union and Council of Europe ROMACTED programme, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.

The event aimed to take stock on the latest developments, to stimulate and bring closer to citizens the institutional and public debate on combatting antigypsyism, including related instruments and remedies. Distinguished representatives of central and local authorities, equality bodies, Roma civil society organisations, actively contributed from their respective positions.

Luigi Soreca, Head of the European Union Delegation to Albania, addressed the event emphasising: “On the occasion of the International Roma Day, I want to bring a message of friendship and support, on behalf of the European Union, to our Roma and Egyptian friends. The pandemic has exacerbated the difficult living conditions that Roma and Egyptians face in Albania and has increased the deep-rooted discrimination against this community. The European Union condemns all forms of stigmatisation, “ethnicisation” and anti-gypsyism, which are contrary to the EU values and against the basic principles of democracy”.

Albert Nikolla, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection acknowledged that “Racism against Roma, the accumulated discrimination over time and stereotypes and prejudices are present in Albania as in many other countries. This racism has proved to represent a drawback towards the efforts of improving the living conditions of Roma. The lack of willingness to address antigypsyism against Roma and Egyptians in the public, social and cultural life, is intollerable. The inclusion process cannot be a routine work. A direct and open debate and commitment to fulfill the obligations of the Poznan Declaration and implementation of the EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion and Participation is needed. Only through this engagement, it will be possible to address antigypsyism and improve the challenges that Roma and Egyptians face in Albania” he said.

Thorsten Afflerbach, Head of Division for the Roma and Travellers Team, in his welcoming remarks congratulated the Albanian Ministry of Health and Social Protection about the commitment to acknowledge the importance of combatting antigypsyism and foreseen measures to address it. He further underlined that “...as combatting antigypsyism is a cross-cutting and inter-institutional exercise among various stakeholders both at central and local level, I would encourage that local authorities in Albania do commit to the implementation of the local Action Plans for Roma Integration 2019-2022 through engagement of dedicated funds in their budgetary programmes that have a direct impact on Roma Integration, such as primary health care services, pre-school and elementary education; social care for families and children; unemployment, education and training and social housing”.

Participants appreciated the support provided by the Council of Europe Roma and Travellers Team on establishing a specific chapter on “Combatting Antigypsyism” under the National Action Plan on Integration of Roma and Egyptians 2021-2025, aligned with the European Union and Council of Europe standards.

The event served as a platform to launch the book “Roma legends and tales” by Sead Kazanxhiu supported by Roma and Travellers Team as well as an informative video spot prepared for Roma population in Albania concerning their right to vote and participation in parliamentary elections of 25 April 2021, prepared in cooperation with the Central Election Commission.

Watch video spot  https://fb.watch/4KTb1i51bY/