45th anniversary of International Roma Day
22.3.2016
Question for oral answer O-000051/2016
to the Commission
Rule 128
Benedek Jávor, Terry Reintke, Bodil Valero, Barbara Lochbihler, Helga Trüpel, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
The Roma are the largest minority group in Europe. Since the arrival of the Roma in Europe some 800 years ago they have suffered discrimination, marginalisation and oppression resulting from widespread and normalised anti-Gypsyism.
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 WWII – Parliament adopted a strong stance against anti-Gypsyism by expressing its deep concern at the rise of anti-Gypsyism in Europe and underlined the need to combat anti-Gypsyism at every level and by every means. Parliament stated that recognition of the genocide 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, Parliament recognised the holocaust of Roma during World War II and called on Member States to follow this example. Parliament also declared the establishment of European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day.
The Commission supported the resolution to establish a European Holocaust Memorial Day in a press release on 2 August 2015 and expressed its hope that the Member States would soon recognise it.
1. How will the Commission ensure that the fight against anti-Gypsyism is being mainstreamed in all EU policies relating to the inclusion of Roma? How will the Commission ensure that EU policies and national policies are free from anti-Gypsyism and contribute to achieving de facto equal rights for Roma?
2. How is the Commission dealing with institutionalised anti-Gypsyism and its consequences within the rule-of-law framework?
3. What further steps will the Commission take in order to ensure that the Council endorses the European Parliament’s resolution to establish a European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day and to encourage Member States to officially recognise the Roma Holocaust?