MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on replacing the term ‘Roma’
28.9.2010
Sebastian Valentin Bodu
B7‑0537/2010
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on replacing the term ‘Roma’
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the fact that the use of the term ‘Roma’ creates confusion with both the term ‘Romanian’ (referring to inhabitants of Romania) and the term ‘Rome’ or ‘Roma’ (referring to the capital city of Italy),
– having regard to Rule 120 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas such confusion may have undesirable consequences for both the inhabitants of Romania and the inhabitants of Rome, in terms of how they are perceived by citizens of the Member States and of non-EU countries, as well as for the Roma minority, in terms of its ethnic identity,
B. whereas there is a country (Macedonia) that wishes to change its name in order to meet the EU’s accession requirements,
1. Takes the view that the term ‘Roma’ should be replaced in official Commission documents;
2. Acknowledges that a number of Roma associations are calling for the term ‘gypsy’ to be restored, and are of the view that it was a mistake to replace it with the term ‘Roma’.