(11/04/2016)
Oral question on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the International Roma Day
Question for oral answer
to the Commission
The Roma is the largest minority group in Europe. Since the Roma came to Europe some 800 years ago they have suffered from discrimination, marginalisation and oppression due to widespread and normalised antigypsyism.
In its resolution of 15 April 2015 on the International Roma Day – anti-Gypsyism in Europe and EU recognition of the memorial day of the Roma genocide during WW II I, the Parliament took a strong stance against antigypsysim by expressing its deep concern at the rise of antigypsyism in Europe and underlined the need to combat antigypsyism at every level and by every means. The Parliament stated that the recognition of the Holocaust of Roma during World War II and the establishment of a dedicated European memorial day would constitute an important symbolic step in the fight against anti-Gypsyism and contribute to general knowledge of Roma history in Europe. Consequently, the Parliament recognised the holocaust of Roma during World War II and called on Member States to follow this example. The Parliament also declared the establishment of the European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day.
The Commission has supported the resolution to establish a European Holocaust Memorial Day in a press release on 2 August 2015 and expressed hope that the Member States would recognise it soon.
How will the Commission ensure that the fight against antigypsyism is being mainstreamed in all EU policies relating to the inclusion of Roma? How will the Commission monitor that EU policies and national policies are free from antigypsyism and contributing to achuieving de facto equal rights for Roma?
How is the Commission dealing with institutionalised antigypsyism and its consequences within the Rule of Law Framework?
What further steps is the Commission taking in order to ensure that the Council endorses the resolution of the European Parliament to establish a European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day and to encourage Member States to officially recognise the Roma holocaust?