International Roma Day

8.3.2017

Question for oral answer O-000017/2017
to the Commission
Rule 128
Roberta Metsola, Pál Csáky, on behalf of the PPE Group
Birgit Sippel, Soraya Post, Tanja Fajon, Sylvie Guillaume, Claude Moraes, Monika Flašíková Beňová, Ana Gomes, Cécile Kashetu Kyenge, Dietmar Köster, Marju Lauristin, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Péter Niedermüller, Christine Revault D'Allonnes Bonnefoy, Elly Schlein, on behalf of the S&D Group
Cecilia Wikström, Nathalie Griesbeck, on behalf of the ALDE Group
Benedek Jávor, Bodil Valero, Ulrike Lunacek, Barbara Lochbihler, Terry Reintke, Davor Škrlec, Bronis Ropė, Igor Šoltes, Eva Joly, Karima Delli, Ernest Urtasun, Rebecca Harms, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
Cornelia Ernst, Malin Björk, Barbara Spinelli, Martina Anderson, Marina Albiol Guzmán, Merja Kyllönen, Dimitrios Papadimoulis, Eleonora Forenza, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group

In its resolution of 15 April 2015 on the occasion of International Roma Day – anti-Gypsyism in Europe and EU recognition of the memorial day of the Roma genocide during World War II, Parliament took a strong stance against anti-Gypsyism by expressing its deep concern at the rise of anti-Gypsyism in Europe and underlining the need to combat anti-Gypsyism at every level and by every means. 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, and called on Member States to follow its lead.

1. How is the Commission ensuring that the fight against anti-Gypsyism is being mainstreamed into all EU policies relating to the inclusion of Roma? How is the Commission monitoring and assessing the compliance of EU policies and national policies with fundamental EU values with a specific focus on the rights of minorities and non-discrimination?

2. Can the Commission report on the progress made so far and provide further recommendations for achieving the objectives set out in its communication on an EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies by 2020 (COM(2011)0173)? Since Parliament’s resolution was adopted, what steps have been taken to improve Roma integration and to effectively combat anti-Gypsyism, including institutionalised anti-Gypsyism?

3. What further steps have been taken to promote the establishment of the European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day?