Publisher: European Roma Rights Center

CAUSE OF ACTIONC. Family Life Denied: Overrepresentation of Romani Children in State Care in Serbia

CAUSE OF ACTION. Family Life Denied: Overrepresentation of Romani Children in State Care in Serbia

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: state-run children-care; Roma-kids in state-care; Roma in Serbia;

Romani children in Serbia are being removed from their families at an alarming rate. The ERRC carried out in-depth research on the situation. We found there are disproportionate numbers ofRomani children in foster care – a third of children in care in Belgrade come from Romani families, for example, yet Roma make up less than two per cent ofthe city’s population. Although Serbia is closing down its institutions for residential care, Romani children are overrepresented there as well. And once Romani children are removed from their families, it’s rare that they return. Why is the right to family life being denied to so many Roma in Serbia? We don’t believe that authorities remove children maliciously. But we do believe that Romani families are victims of indirect discrimination and stereotyping. After centuries of discrimination against Roma, Romani children are more likely to live in inadequate housing, less likely to have parents in employment and may find it hard to access mainstream education. This plays a part in the decision to remove children from their families. As so many children are removed, and so few are able to return, this calls into question the support that these families receive to stay together.

ROMA BELONG. Statelessness, Discrimination and Marginalisation of Roma in the Western Balkans and Ukraine

ROMA BELONG. Statelessness, Discrimination and Marginalisation of Roma in the Western Balkans and Ukraine

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: statelessness; birth registration;

This report synthesises the findings of the «RomaBelong» project, which set out to explore the nexus between statelessness, discrimination and marginalisation of Romani people in European Union candidate and neighbourhood countries in the Western Balkans and Ukraine. It draws on data from interviews with Roma individuals and associations, state actors, NGOs, journalists and international agencies to identify and analyse the main factors contributing to the risk of statelessness and its impact on the daily lives of Romani people in the region. As a partnership between both international and national organisations, those focused on statelessness on the one hand, and Roma rights on the other, the project draws on different fields of expertise to make recommendations to national and regional stakeholders for concrete action to address the issues it uncovers.

CAUSE OF ACTION. Romani Children in State Care in Nógrád County (Hungary)

CAUSE OF ACTION. Romani Children in State Care in Nógrád County (Hungary)

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Public Care; Romani Children; children in state-care institutions;

The Chance for Children Public Benefit Association (Gyerekesély Közhasznú Egyesület) in Hungary conducted a study for the ERRC of children in Nógrád County who have been removed from the care of their families and are in the public care system.2 Nógrád County is located northeast of Budapest, on the border with Slovakia. The study specifically focuses on the county’s child welfare and child protection systems. Through both quantitative and qualitative approaches, researchers collected data on the circumstances of and reasons for taking into care. The research respected the privacy ofthe families concerned while providing a survey of how Romani children so frequently end up in care. By focusing at the county level, the study remained manageable while covering a broad enough area to demonstrate a pattern. The key finding in the study was quantitative: Romani children are vastly overrepresented in the care system. Yet there were other key findings too: in most cases taking children into care does not seem to have been justified. Interviews with key actors also revealed the prejudice that seems to be the main cause ofthe problem.

UKRAINE: Report of the European Roma Rights Centre: Country Profile 2011-2012

Україна. Звіт Європейського центрУ З прав ромів профіль країни 2011-2012

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Ukrainian

Keywords: Roma in Ukraine;

TURKEY: Report of the European Roma Rights Centre: Country Profile 2011-2012

TÜRKİYE. Avrupa Roman Hakları Merkezi Ra poru Ülke Profili 2011-2012

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Turkish

Keywords: Roma in Turkey;

THIRSTING FOR JUSTICE. Europe’s Roma Denied Access to Clean Water and Sanitation

THIRSTING FOR JUSTICE. Europe’s Roma Denied Access to Clean Water and Sanitation

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: right to access clean water; water supply for Roma; Roma access to celan water;

This unique report by the European Roma Rights Centre provides compelling evidence that, throughout several States and regions where safe water supply and sanitation services are available to almost every household, Roma populations are systemically disadvantaged in their access to these services. Evidences gathered from Albania to France reveal shocking disparities of the conditions endured by Roma as compared to the rest of the population. In this respect, the report’s conclusions highlight a concerning situation of widespread, deeply rooted social exclusion and ethnic discrimination regarding Roma’s access to these essential services.

THE FRAGILITY OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE. A Preliminary Account of Child Protection Practice with Romani and Traveller Children in England

THE FRAGILITY OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE. A Preliminary Account of Child Protection Practice with Romani and Traveller Children in England

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Roma and Traveller children in England;

To examine the concerns that have been listed more fully, the authors of this report have been commissioned by the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) to carry out a preliminary study into the scale and nature of child protection practice with Romani and Traveller children in England. Specifically, the study aimed to: 1. Highlight the principal reasons for child protection involvement with Romani and Traveller children; 2. Map the placement type and legal status of Romani and Traveller children involved in child protection systems; 3. Examine the reasons for the placement of Romani and Traveller children in state care; 4. Explore how child protection professionals describe their work with Roma children; and, 5. Shed some light on the experiences of families who have experienced child protection involvement.The findings presented in this report reflect data that has been gathered in four separate ways. First, data was gathered through a series of Freedom of Information Requests to the Department of Education. Second, data was gathered from 137 questionnaires completed by child protection professionals working in England. Third, data was gathered from focus group interviews with 155 child protection professionals working in England. Finally, data was also gathered from two families who have experienced child protection involvement in family life.

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre and Romani CRISS, Concerning Romania (For Consideration by the Human Rights Committee at its 110th Session 10-28 March 2013).

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre and Romani CRISS, Concerning Romania (For Consideration by the Human Rights Committee at its 110th Session 10-28 March 2013).

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Police Violence against Roma; Access for Roma to Information; Discrimination of Roma in Relation to Family Life;

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre, Mental Disability Advocacy Centre, League of Human Rights and the Platform for Social Housing, Concerning the Czech Republic

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre, Mental Disability Advocacy Centre, League of Human Rights and the Platform for Social Housing, Concerning the Czech Republic

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Roma in Czech Republic;

WRITTEN COMMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE, CONCERNING ITALY (To the Human Rights Council, within its Universal Periodic Review, for consideration at the 20th session (27 October to 7 November 2014)

WRITTEN COMMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE, CONCERNING ITALY (To the Human Rights Council, within its Universal Periodic Review, for consideration at the 20th session (27 October to 7 November 2014)

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Basic Rights in Housing; Basic Rights in Education; Basic Rights in Access to Health-Care; Hate speech against Roma;

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre, PRAXIS and Other Partner Organisations, Concerning Serbia (For Consideration by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the 52nd Session 28th April to 23rd May 2014).

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre, PRAXIS and Other Partner Organisations, Concerning Serbia (For Consideration by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the 52nd Session 28th April to 23rd May 2014).

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Non-Discrimination; Right to Education; Right to Social Security; Roma in Serbia;

LIST OF ISSUES BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING MACEDONIA (For Consideration by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women at the Pre-Sessional Working Group of the 71 Session 12 - 16 March 2018)

LIST OF ISSUES BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING MACEDONIA (For Consideration by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women at the Pre-Sessional Working Group of the 71 Session 12 - 16 March 2018)

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Macedonia; Roma; Roma rights; discrimination; women; Romani girls; sexual violence; healthcare; citizenship; housing; detention system;

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)1 hereby submits this list of issues concerning the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to the United Nations Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (hereinafter also referred to as “Committee”) for the consideration of the Committee on the 71 presession for the List of Issues. The submission focuses on the situation of Romani women and girls, in particular sexual abuse of Romani children in state care institutions, access to reproductive healthcare and citizenship rights. FYROM has 2,022,547 inhabitants, of whom 53,879 (2.66%) have declared themselves Roma. However, the available unofficial estimate for Roma is 135,490 (6.77%). Roma live in 75 out of 85 municipalities across the country. According to official data, the majority of Roma live in the capital, Skopje (23,475), with 56% of Skopje’s Roma concentrated in the municipality of Šuto Orizari (13,342).

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre, Concerning Hungary (For Consideration by the Human Rights Committee 122nd session 12 March – 6 April 2018)

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre, Concerning Hungary (For Consideration by the Human Rights Committee 122nd session 12 March – 6 April 2018)

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Hungary; Roma; human rights; right to family; Romani children; education; school segregation; harassment; racial profiling; discrimination; Hungarian authorities;

Articles 2, 23 (1), 24 (1)– Right to family and non-discrimination: Romani Children in State Care 3 Articles 2, 26, 27: Right to equal education: School segregation of Romani pupils 4 Articles 2, 26, 27: Harassment and differential treatment of Romani women at childbirth 6 Articles 2, 20, 26: Racial profiling of Roma: Discriminatory fining practices, discriminatory inspections and harassment of Roma by the Hungarian authorities 6

WRITTEN SUBMISSION BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING SLOVAKIA (To the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, for consideration to the 94th Session 20 November - 8 December 2017)

WRITTEN SUBMISSION BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING SLOVAKIA (To the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, for consideration to the 94th Session 20 November - 8 December 2017)

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Slovakia; human rights; discrimination; racial discrimination; police treatment; harassment; housing; drinking water; education; Roma;

The European Roma Rights Centre (hereinafter also referred to as the “ERRC”) and the Forum for Human Rights (hereinafter referred to as the “FORUM”) hereby jointly submit this report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (hereinafter also referred to as “Committee”) for the consideration to the 94th Session (20 November - 8 December 2017). The report focuses on the issues faced by Romani communities in Slovakia, namely: - police ill-treatment and harassment, - access to adequate housing, including access to drinking water, - discrimination in education. In its 2013 Concluding observations (CERD/C/ SVK/CO/9-10), the Committee addressed all the above-mentioned issues. Though several years have passed since, the submitting NGOs believe that the Slovak government has taken no significant steps to address the issues, therefore, the situation remains largely unchanged and the problems persist.

PARALLEL REPORT BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING THE CZECH REPUBLIC (To the Human Rights Council, within its Universal Periodic Review, for consideration at the 28th Session 6 – 17 November 2017)

PARALLEL REPORT BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING THE CZECH REPUBLIC (To the Human Rights Council, within its Universal Periodic Review, for consideration at the 28th Session 6 – 17 November 2017)

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Czech Republic; human rights; Roma; education; forced sterilisation; housing;

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)1 submits this parallel report to highlight some key human rights concerns in the Czech Republic. The submission provides a factual base and recommendations on Roma for the key issues of education, forced and coercive sterilisation, and housing.

WRITTEN COMMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING SLOVAKIA (For the Consideration of the United Nations Committee Against Torture at the Pre-sessional Working Group of the 62nd Session 6 November to 6 December 2017)

WRITTEN COMMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING SLOVAKIA (For the Consideration of the United Nations Committee Against Torture at the Pre-sessional Working Group of the 62nd Session 6 November to 6 December 2017)

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Slovakia; Roma rights; human rights; police treatment; harassment; torture; government;

The European Roma Rights Centre (hereinafter also referred to as the “ERRC”) hereby submits this report to the United Nations Committee against Torture (hereinafter also referred to as “Committee”) for the consideration for the List of Issues prior to reporting. The report focuses on the issues of police ill-treatment and harassment of Roma in Slovakia and the related ineffective investigation of allegations of police ill-treatment and harassment. In its 2015 Concluding observations (CAT/C/SVK/CO/3) , the Committee addressed the above-mentioned issues. The Committee expressed concerns about excessive use of force by law enforcement officials particularly against Roma and about the lack of independence of investigations into allegations of ill-treatment by police officers. It recommended that the State party, amongst others, carries out prompt, impartial, thorough and effective investigations into all allegations of excessive use of force, including torture and ill-treatment, by law enforcement officials and establish an independent monitoring and oversight mechanism that complies with the requirements of institutional independence in order to avoid conflict of interest in the investigation of complaints by peers. The ERRC believes that the Slovak government has taken no significant steps to address the above-mentioned issues. Therefore, the situation remains largely unchanged and the problems persist.

WRITTEN COMMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE AND PRAXIS, CONCERNING SERBIA (For Consideration by the Committee on the Rights of the Child at the Concluding Observations of the 74th Session 16 January to 3 February 2017)

WRITTEN COMMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE AND PRAXIS, CONCERNING SERBIA (For Consideration by the Committee on the Rights of the Child at the Concluding Observations of the 74th Session 16 January to 3 February 2017)

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Serbia; Roma; Romani children; human rights; education; segregation; policy; special schools; stat care; identity documents; birth registration;

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) and Praxis respectfully submit their written comments concerning Serbia for consideration by the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) at its Concluding Observations of the 74th Session, which will be held from 16 January to 3 February 2017. The ERRC and Praxis have undertaken regular monitoring of the human rights situation of Roma in Serbia and this report reflects the current priorities in our work in Serbia. According to current official estimates, Roma in Serbia make up approximately 2.05% of the total population or 147,604 Roma. This makes Roma the second largest minority after Hungarians. However, a verified and accurate count remains elusive. Unofficial sources suggest that the number of Roma in Serbia is significantly higher, ranging between 250,000 to 500,000. In addition to the autochthonous groups, approximately 4,000 –50,000 Roma fled during and after the conflict in Kosovo to Serbia; only half of whom registered as internally displaced persons (IDPs). However, it is not known if all of them remained in Serbia or left for destinationsin Western Europe. Furthermore, thousands of Roma have been returned to Serbia from Western Europeancountries in the last years as failed asylum seekers; including Roma who were originally from Kosovo.Roma are the youngest ethnic group in Serbia. The average age is 27.5 years, compared to 40.2 years among the general Serbian population. According to UNICEF, the primary school completion rate for non-Roma children is 94.5% and the transition rate to secondary school is 96.5%, while for Roma children the primary school completion rate considerably lower - 63%, while the numbers for secondary school for Roma youngsters is even lower - 55.5%. Illiteracy rates range between age groups from 13.7% amongst adolescents to 57.2% among the elderly. Romani women are extremely disadvantaged when it comes to education achievements; illiteracy is estimated to reach up to 80%.

LIST OF CRITICAL ISSUES BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING MONTENEGRO (For Consideration by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women at its 67th Pre-Sessional Working Group 21 to 25 November 2016)

LIST OF CRITICAL ISSUES BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING MONTENEGRO (For Consideration by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women at its 67th Pre-Sessional Working Group 21 to 25 November 2016)

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Montenegro; human rights; Roma; women; discrimination; health; forced marriage; education;

This list of critical issues is presented by the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) to assist the 67th PreSession Working Group with country specific information on issues affecting Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian women in relation to Montenegro. According to Montenegrin census data from 2011, 8,305 individuals indicated that they were Roma or Egyptians, out of which men make 51.1 percent and women make 48.8 percent. The Council of Europe estimates that there are 20,000 Roma (including Ashkali and Egyptians) in Montenegro.

WRITTEN SUBMISSION BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING ITALY (To the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, for consideration at its 91st Session 21 November - 9 December 2016)

WRITTEN SUBMISSION BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING ITALY (To the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, for consideration at its 91st Session 21 November - 9 December 2016)

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Italy; Roma; human rights; segregation; Roma communities; evictions; violence; hate speech;

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) is a Roma-led international public interest law organisation which monitors the human rights of Roma in Europe and provides legal defence in cases of human rights violations. The ERRC is deeply concerned at the lack of progress made by Italian authorities since CERD issued its concluding observations on Italy in 2012 with specific reference to the committee’s detailed recommendations concerning the situation of Roma and Sinti. The committee rebuked Italy for its targeted evictions, and its de facto segregation of Roma communities in poorly equipped camps. Italy was requested to provide effective remedies to Roma and Sinti for the negative impact of the emergency decrees, and to consult with these communities in the development of programs directed at them. No progress has been made with regards to this request, and the submission provides evidence that the situation has actually worsened. This submission also finds that CERD’s calls for stronger efforts to combat and punish both racist violence and pervasive hate speech directed at Roma, Sinti and non-citizens have yet to be adequately addressed.

WRITTEN COMMENTS OF THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE, CONCERNING ROMANIA (For Consideration by the Committee on the Rights of the Child at its Pre-session Working Group for the 75th Session 3-7 October 2016)

WRITTEN COMMENTS OF THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE, CONCERNING ROMANIA (For Consideration by the Committee on the Rights of the Child at its Pre-session Working Group for the 75th Session 3-7 October 2016)

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

Keywords: Romania; Roma; human rights; Romani children; education; discrimination; housing;

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) respectfully submits a list of issues concerning Romania for consideration by the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) at its pre-sessional Working Group for the 75th Session, which will be held from 3rd to 7th October 2016. The ERRC has undertaken regular monitoring of the human rights situation of Roma in Romania and this list of issues reflects the current priorities in our work in Romania. According to current unofficial estimates, Roma in Romania make up approximately 9% of the population (approximately 1,850,000). However, a verified and accurate count remains elusive. According to the final results of the 2011 Census of the Population and Households published on 4 July 2013 by the National Statistics Institute, Romania had a total population of 20.12 million. Among the 18.88 million respondents who self-reported their ethnicity, 621,600 were Roma (3.3%, an increase from 2.46% in the 2002 census). Deeply entrenched anti-Roma attitudes can be vividly seen in the annual surveys carried out by the National Council for Combating Discrimination: in 20053 61% of respondents thought that Roma were a source of shame for Romania, while 52% of respondents went further to say that Roma should not be allowed to travel outside the country. These attitudes have not improved much: in 20134 48% of respondents said that they did not want a Romani work colleague, 41% would not want a Romani neighbour, and 38% would not want any Roma in their municipality. Public authorities are not insulated from these wide-spread and pernicious attitudes; in the absence of robust safeguards these attitudes may translate into violations of the Convention.