International Roma Day - remembering the genocide

In recognition of the International Roma Day on 8 April, the European Parliament will vote today on a Resolution addressing anti-Gypsyism in Europe and recognising the Roma Genocide during World War II. The Resolution describes both the events of the past during WWII as well as the current situation concerning intolerance against the Roma community, and the EU framework for National Roma Integration Strategies (NRIS) and the conditions Roma face in Europe today.

“I express my deepest respect to the victims of the Roma Genocide during WWII. The European Union is built on diversity and respect for its traditions, as much as on respect for its cultural past and ethnicity. This Resolution is of great importance because it stresses that Europe respects Roma as a part of European history and culture”, said Tomáš Zdechovský MEP, EPP Group Spokesman on the Resolution and member of the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee of the European Parliament.

The recognition of the Roma Genocide is an important step in the fight against anti-Gypsyism and leads to the expansion of knowledge of Roma history in Europe. “We need to be reminded of the past in order to not repeat it in the future. Intolerance against the Roma community is growing. But we need to fight the hatred and animosities. I believe that the best way is to focus on positive examples of Roma integration in Member States and to involve Roma communities and NGOs in the implementation of Roma Integration strategies”, concluded Zdechovský.