At the initiative of the Socialists and Greens in the European Parliament, a debate on the integration of the Roma was held in plenary, on 9 March in Strasbourg. One month ahead of the second European Roma summit, on 8 April in Cordoba, MEPs call for the Union to step up its action to remedy discrimination and to make better use of EU Structural Funds, whose impact remains limited.

Within the Union, discrimination based on race or ethnic origin is banned in all areas, pursuant to Directive 2000/43/EC on discrimination. Yet, the Roma, the largest minority group in Europe with a population of ten to 12 million, or possibly even 15 million people, “have the highest overall rate of discrimination,” notes the first EU survey on minorities and discrimination, carried out in 2008 by the European Fundamental Rights Agency.

To address this problem, for several years and particularly since the enlargement eastwards, the EU has been accumulating EP resolutions, reports by the Commission and EU Council conclusions on the need to integrate the Roma. The Socialist and Green MEPs are nevertheless critical of the lack of noteworthy progress since the first European Roma summit, on 16 September 2008. MEPs call for greater collaboration between member states and the Commission as well as revision of the use of these funds to remedy forms of discrimination against the Roma.

“SHORTCOMINGS”

During the debate, Viviane Reding, the commissioner for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, recognised that “shortcomings” still exist and that “concrete commitments” are needed. She announced that criminal penalties against racist and xenophobic crimes should be put in place in every member state, by November this year. Over and above criminal sanctions, there is a need to tackle the economic and social problems of the Roma, which are at the heart of their exclusion. She nevertheless said there would be no directives or funds specifically for the Roma. Pilot projects on schooling, microloans and awareness raising are planned, she added. These proposals, amounting to €5 million over two years, will be evaluated by the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. Reding highlighted the importance of raising awareness as part of the European Union’s campaign ‘For diversity, against discrimination’.

On the sidelines of the debate, a conference is being held in Brussels, on 10 and 11 March, to spotlight around 30 projects for Roma communities funded by EU programmes for education, culture, youth and citizenship, and by the EU Structural Funds.

MEPs will adopt a resolution on integration of the Roma at their session, on 19-22 April in Strasbourg.