Publisher: European Roma Rights Center

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre Concerning Serbia (For Consideration by the Human Rights Council, Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, of the 29th Session January–February 2018)

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre Concerning Serbia (For Consideration by the Human Rights Council, Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, of the 29th Session January–February 2018)

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

Keywords: Serbia; Roma rights; human rights; Roma children; education; Roma women; illiteracy; ethnic discrimination; birth registration; segregation; discrimination;

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) submits this parallel report to the Council Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review reporting country-specific information on issues affecting Roma in Serbia that raise questions under the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR). The present report describes the current situation regarding serious human rights abuses of Roma in Serbia – school segregation, ethnic discrimination and lack of birth registration. The ERRC respectfully submits its written comments concerning Serbia for consideration by the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) at its 29th working group session, which will be held from January to February 2018. The ERRC has 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%2 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, an estimated to 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 destinations in Western Europe. Furthermore, thousands of Roma have been returned to Serbia from Western European countries 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 is 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%.

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WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre Concerning France (For Consideration by the Human Rights Council, within its Universal Periodic Review, at its 29th Session January–February 2018)

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre Concerning France (For Consideration by the Human Rights Council, within its Universal Periodic Review, at its 29th Session January–February 2018)

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

Keywords: France; Roma; human rights; Roma rights; Romani children; housing; forced evictions; water and sanitation; hate speech; education;

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) hereby submits this report to the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for the universal periodic review of France’s compliance with its human rights commitments. This report focuses on housing, forced evictions, access to water and sanitation.

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WRITTEN COMMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE (ERRC submission to the European Commission on the enlargement component of the EU Roma Framework May 2017)

WRITTEN COMMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE (ERRC submission to the European Commission on the enlargement component of the EU Roma Framework May 2017)

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

Keywords: EU; EU enlargement; human rights; Roma; state care; education; discrimination; gender equality; housing; racial profiling; violence; Albania; Kosovo; Macedonia; Serbia; Turkey;

The report commissioned by DG NEAR The Thematic Evaluation on IPA Support to Roma Communities, clearly identified why EU funding did not have a discernible impact on Roma inclusion in the first round of IPA assistance. The findings from the first round of IPA funding raised a number of concerns: - Credible assessment of project effectiveness proved to be difficult “because of poor design of indicators and means of verification, together with scarce project level evaluation”; - Even in the sphere of education where most progress has been made the report concluded that “Evidence for improved educational attainment is piecemeal and anecdotal – but points strongly in the right direction”; - Displacement projects were not designed specifically for Roma, but for all displaced persons so there were no Roma-specific activities, objectives or indicators. Specifically for the Roma population, sustainability is highly questionable and there are concerns that housing projects creating (or re-creating) segregated communities. - Housing projects are expensive and relatively insignificant interventions compared to the scale of the needs. - Employment projects have not achieved any notable successes; - Monitoring at country, programme and project level remains very poor. At country level, there are some efforts to provide indicators and data on the situation of Roma communities, but there is an almost complete lack of comparable information over time to show changes. The recommendations concerning political will, financial allocations, robust monitoring, gender equity, and the “need for a strong, independent and sustainable civil society”, mirror the challenges facing the EU Framework. What is clear from ERRC’s various submissions, advocacy, research and litigation in the enlargement countries of the western Balkans over the past years is that for Roma inclusion to be effective, national and local authorities must prioritise combating all forms of discrimination; ending residential and school segregation; challenging ethnic profiling and police brutality; addressing statelessness and ending forced evictions; and ensuring access to justice. The need to step up the fight against all forms of discrimination against Roma including institutional racism, which is evident in the enlargement countries, is something that is common to all of the Member States of the European Union. The Commission in its 2016 Communication on the EU Roma Framework, explicitly called on Member States to demonstrate greater political will to combat discrimination, described rising anti-Gypsyism as “a specific form of racism”, and urged public authorities to distance themselves from racist and xenophobic discourse that targets Roma. When it comes to anti-Roma hate speech and hate crime, the Commission bluntly stated that authorities’ failure to take action effectively amounts to complicity: “it is important to realise that a reluctance to act also contributes to the acceptance of intolerance in societies.” The ERRC fully agrees with the Commission’s observations, and it is clear from this ERRC submission and the previous one, that Roma in enlargement countries face similar or even more serious problems than in many EU Member States. As mentioned earlier, the ERRC welcomes the Commission’s statement that enlargement policy remains focused on the “fundamentals first” principle, which includes the rule of law and fundamental rights, with specific mention of the “need to better protect minorities, in particular Roma.” Therefore, the ERRC recommends that the Commission work with the governments of enlargement countries to put in place “robust monitoring mechanisms” on Roma inclusion that align with the EU Framework, and to establish an annual reporting schedule that coincides with that of the Member States. This would allow for greater transparency and meaningful comparability between Member States and aspirant countries. It is important from the outset to send a signal to these countries that combating discrimination and racism is a priority for the Commission in its “fundamentals first” policy approach to further enlargement. Based on our common experience of the EU Framework, ERRC fully endorses the Commission’s assertion that “stepping up the fight against racism and discrimination” remains essential to making any advances in “reducing the socio-economic gap between the Roma and non-Roma population in the Western Balkans and Turkey” up to 2020 and beyond.

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WRITTEN SUBMISSION BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING BULGARIA (To the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, for consideration at its 92nd Session 24 April - 12 May 2017)

WRITTEN SUBMISSION BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING BULGARIA (To the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, for consideration at its 92nd Session 24 April - 12 May 2017)

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

Keywords: Bulgaria; Roma; human rights; racial discrimination; segregation; hate speech; violence; forced evictions; education; health care; segregated maternity wards;

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 Bulgarian authorities since CERD issued its concluding observations on Bulgaria in 2009 with specific reference to the committee’s recommendations concerning the situation of Roma and other minorities. Bulgarian authorities continue to target Romani communities for forced evictions, and the de facto segregation of Roma continues in all areas of life, in particular in the spheres of residential segregation and segregation in healthcare facilities. Limited progress has been made with regards to enforcing legislation persecuting racially motivated hate crimes. Hate speech continues to affect Romani minorities in particular, leading to a number of instances of violence. In a number of cases, Bulgarian authorities have failed to protect Romani citizens from violent racist mobs attacking Romani communities and individuals. This submission also finds that CERD’s calls for improving the situation of Roma in all areas of life, in particular of access to healthcare and housing, have yet to be adequately addressed.

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WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre Concerning Serbia (For Consideration by the Human Rights Committee of the Concluding Observations of the 119 Session 6 – 29 March 2017)

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre Concerning Serbia (For Consideration by the Human Rights Committee of the Concluding Observations of the 119 Session 6 – 29 March 2017)

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

Keywords: Serbia; human rights; Roma; discrimination; segregation; education; housing; children; institutional care; birth registration; personal documentation;

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) submits this parallel report to the Human Rights Committee reporting country-specific information on issues affecting Roma in Serbia that raise questions under the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR). The present report describes the current situation regarding serious human rights abuses of Roma in Serbia – school segregation, ethnic discrimination and lack of birth registration. The ERRC respectfully submits its written comments concerning Serbia for consideration by the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) at its Concluding Observations of the 119th Session, which will be held from 6 to 29 March 2017. The ERRC has 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, an estimated to 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 destinations in Western Europe. Furthermore, thousands of Roma have been returned to Serbia from Western European countries 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 is 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%.

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PARALLEL REPORT by the European Roma Rights Centre Concerning Italy (For Consideration by the Human Rights Committee at its 119th session 6 – 29 March 2017. Articles 12, 20 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Resident)

PARALLEL REPORT by the European Roma Rights Centre Concerning Italy (For Consideration by the Human Rights Committee at its 119th session 6 – 29 March 2017. Articles 12, 20 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Resident)

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

Keywords: Italy; Roma; human rights; civil and political rights; hate speech; violence; discrimination; segregation;

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) submits this parallel report to the Human Rights Committee reporting country-specific information on issues affecting Roma in Italy that raise questions under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The present report describes the current situation regarding two of the most serious human rights abuses of Roma in Italy – the residential segregation of Roma and hate speech and violence against Roma.

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PARALLEL REPORT by the European Roma Rights Centre Concerning Italy (For Consideration by the Human Rights Committee at its 117th session 20 June – 15 July 2016)

PARALLEL REPORT by the European Roma Rights Centre Concerning Italy (For Consideration by the Human Rights Committee at its 117th session 20 June – 15 July 2016)

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

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

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) submits this parallel report to the Human Rights Committee reporting country-specific information on issues affecting Roma in Italy that raise questions under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The present report describes the current situation regarding two of the most serious human rights abuses of Roma in Italy – the residential segregation of Roma and hate speech and violence against Roma.

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WRITTEN COMMENTS OF THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE AND CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS, CONCERNING SLOVAKIA (For Consideration by the Committee on the Rights of the Child for the consideration at its 72nd Session 17 May - 3 June 2016)

WRITTEN COMMENTS OF THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE AND CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS, CONCERNING SLOVAKIA (For Consideration by the Committee on the Rights of the Child for the consideration at its 72nd Session 17 May - 3 June 2016)

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

Keywords: Slovakia; Roma; human rights; children; rights of the child; police treatment; harassment; water and sanitation; education; discrimination; health care; segregation; Romani girls; sterilisation;

The Center for Civil and Human Rights (Poradňa pre občianske a ľudské práva, hereinafter also referred to as „Poradňa“) and the European Roma Rights Centre (hereinafter also referred to as “ERRC”) hereby jointly submit this report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (hereinafter also referred to as “Committee”) for the consideration at its 72nd Session (17 May 2016 – 03 June 2016). The report provides updates on the issues disproportionately impacting Romani children in Slovakia, which were brought to the attention of the Committee before its 72nd Pre-sessional Working Group, including: - police ill-treatment and harassment; - Q access to water and sanitation; - discrimination of Romani children in education; - segregation of Romani patients, including children, in hospitals; - the practice of sterilisation of Romani girls without parental and informed consent. The report we submitted to the Committee for the Pre-sessional Working Group included also chapters on discriminatory legislation, adequate standard of living and Romani children in institutional care. However, the submitting NGOs have not registered updates in relation to them that is why they are not included in this alternative report although the violations described in these areas still persist and we request the Committee to consider them during the constructive dialogue with Slovak representatives during the Session.

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WRITTEN COMMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE (For Consideration by the European Commission concering Roma Inclusion in the Western Balkans Progress Reports 2016)

WRITTEN COMMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE (For Consideration by the European Commission concering Roma Inclusion in the Western Balkans Progress Reports 2016)

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

Keywords: Western Balkans; Albania; BiH; Kosovo; Serbia; Montenegro; Macedonia; Roma; inclusion; human rights; racial profiling; violence; legal status; education; housing; evaluation;

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) is a Roma-led international public interest law organisation working to combat anti-Romani racism and human rights abuse of Roma through strategic litigation, research and policy development, advocacy and human rights education. In May 2016, the ERRC responded to the European Commission’s request for input regarding the forthcoming annual Progress Reports for the current candidate countries of Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. The ERRC comments cover only those areas which have been monitored by the ERRC and its partners. The submission makes no claims to be comprehensive: comments and observations are confined to ERRC’s strategic priorities and reflect the organisation’s activities, advocacy and research in those particular countries over the past year.

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PARALLEL SUBMISSION BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE AND CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNING SLOVAKIA (Under Article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women)

PARALLEL SUBMISSION BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE AND CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNING SLOVAKIA (Under Article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women)

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

Keywords: Slovakia; human rights; Roma; judiciary; justice; discrimination; Romani women; sterilisation; health care; maternity; education; segregation;

The Center for Civil and Human Rights (Poradňa pre občianske a ľudské práva, hereinafter also referred to as „Poradňa“) and the European Roma Rights Centre (hereinafter also referred to as “ERRC”) hereby jointly submit this report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) commenting on the Combined Fifth and Six Periodic Report of Slovakia, submitted under Article 18 of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Convention). The present shadow report focuses on the issues disproportionately impacting Romani women: insufficient access of Romani women to justice in cases of their multiple discrimination, discrimination in education, health care and missing compensation and safeguard provisions for involuntary sterilisation of Romani women. The report describes the current situation regarding one of the most serious human rights abuses of women – the practice of coercive sterilisation of Romani women – and the legal, policy and other obstacles in reaching an effective remedy for the victims. The submission focuses only on issues directly related to the practice of coercive sterilisation; i.e. Articles 10 (equal access to education), 12 (equal access to health care services) and 16 (freedom from discrimination in all matters relating to marriage and family relations) of the Convention. This report aims to provide an update on the situation since 2008 when CEDAW last reviewed Slovakia. It includes an update on the legislative changes, compensation mechanism proposals, updates on court cases, comments on the information provided by the Slovak government and recommendations for government action. In its 2008 Concluding observations (CEDAW/C/SVK/CO/4), the Committee recommended Slovak government to developed specific measures to tackle discrimination against Romani women (discrimination of Romani women: paras 36 and 37, coercive sterilisation: paras 43 and 44). Submitting organizations are concerned that Slovakia has done little to address the Committee’s concerns and recommendations for the situation of Romani women and that progress in complying with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is slow and insufficient.

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WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre, Concerning Macedonia (For Consideration by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at its 56th Session Pre-session working group 12-16 October 2015)

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre, Concerning Macedonia (For Consideration by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at its 56th Session Pre-session working group 12-16 October 2015)

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

Keywords: Macedonia; Roma; human rights; discrimination; social security; living standard; water; health; education;

This list of critical issues with background information is presented by the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) for consideration by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at its 56th Session (Presession working group 12 Oct- 16 Oct). It contains country-specific information on issues affecting Roma in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (hereinafter “Macedonia”) that raises questions under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (hereinafter “the ICESCR” or “the Covenant”). Macedonia has 2,022,547 inhabitants, of whom 53,879 (2.66%) have declared themselves to be Roma. However, the available unofficial estimate for Roma is 197,000 (9.56%). 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).

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WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre and Center for Civil and Human Rights, Concerning Slovakia (For Consideration by the Committee on the Rights of the Child at the 72nd Pre-Sessional Working Group 5 - 9 October 2015)

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre and Center for Civil and Human Rights, Concerning Slovakia (For Consideration by the Committee on the Rights of the Child at the 72nd Pre-Sessional Working Group 5 - 9 October 2015)

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

Keywords: Slovakia; human rights; Roma; children; education; discrimination; health care; segregation; Romani girls; sterilisation; police treatment; harassment;

The Center for Civil and Human Rights (Poradňa pre občianske a ľudské práva, hereinafter also referred to as „Poradňa“) and the European Roma Rights Centre (hereinafter also referred to as “ERRC”) hereby jointly submit this report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (hereinafter also referred to as “Committee”) for the consideration to the 72nd Pre-Sessional Working Group (05 Oct 2015 - 09 Oct 2015). The report focuses on issues disproportionately impacting Romani children in Slovakia including: - discriminatory legislation; - discrimination of Romani children in education; - sterilization of Romani girls without parental and informed consent; - segregation of Romani patients, including children, in hospitals; - adequate standard of living; - police ill-treatment and harassment; - Romani children in institutional care. In its 2007 Concluding observations (CRC/C/SVK/CO/2) , the Committee touched upon most of the abovementioned issues. The submitting organisations are concerned that Slovakia has done little to address the Committee’s concerns and recommendations and that progress in complying with the Convention on the Rights of the Child is slow and insufficient. Altogether more than 40 per cent of Roma in Slovakia live in segregated settings either outside of municipalities or on their peripheries. Many of those families live in substandard living conditions facing the threat of eviction. Residential segregation usually affects educational attainment and future employment possibilities. Discrimination against Romani children is twofold in education: they are overrepresented in special schools and classes for children with mild mental disabilities and also segregated in separate classrooms and schools within mainstream education. Romani children are also significantly overrepresented in State childcare institutions and disproportionally affected by the legislative framework regulating the social security system. In recent years, the submitting organisations have recorded a growing number of verbal and physically violent attacks and incidents of harassment committed by police against Roma, including minors, which have not been investigated effectively. Submitting organisations have also advocated for effective investigation of the practice of sterilization of Romani women and girls without parental and informed consent in Slovakia and adequate compensation for affected women and girls, which the Slovak Government fails to conduct.

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WRITTEN COMMENTS OF THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE AND CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS, CONCERNING SLOVAKIA (For consideration by the United Nations Committee Against Torture, at its 55th Session 27 July to 14 August 2015)

WRITTEN COMMENTS OF THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE AND CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS, CONCERNING SLOVAKIA (For consideration by the United Nations Committee Against Torture, at its 55th Session 27 July to 14 August 2015)

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

Keywords: Slovakia; Roma; human rights; Romani women; sterilisation; police treatment; harassment;

The Center for Civil and Human Rights (Poradňa pre občianske a ľudské práva, hereinafter also referred to as “Poradňa“) and the European Roma Rights Centre (hereinafter also referred to as “ERRC”) hereby jointly submit this report to the United Nations Committee against Torture (hereinafter also referred to as “Committee”) for the consideration to the 55 Session (27 July 2015 - 14 August 2015). The report focuses on the following issues: • sterilisation of Romani women and girls without parental and informed consent; • police ill-treatment and harassment of Roma; • ineffective investigation of allegations of police ill-treatment and harassment.

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Written Comments of the European Roma Rights Centre Concerning Macedonia (For Consideration by the Committee on the Elimination of the Racial Discrimination at its 87th session 03 - 28 August 2015)

Written Comments of the European Roma Rights Centre Concerning Macedonia (For Consideration by the Committee on the Elimination of the Racial Discrimination at its 87th session 03 - 28 August 2015)

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

Keywords: Macedonia; Roma; human rights; racial discrimination; leaving country; housing; violence protection;

This list of critical issues with background information is presented by the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) for consideration by the Committee on the Elimination of the Racial Discrimination at its 87th session (03 - 28 August 2015). It contains country-specific information on issues affecting Roma in Macedonia that raises questions under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD or Covenant hereafter). The Republic of Macedonia 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).

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WRITTEN COMMENTS OF THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE, MENTAL DISABILITY ADVOCACY CENTER AND PLATFORM FOR SOCIAL HOUSING, CONCERNING THE CZECH REPUBLIC

WRITTEN COMMENTS OF THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE, MENTAL DISABILITY ADVOCACY CENTER AND PLATFORM FOR SOCIAL HOUSING, CONCERNING THE CZECH REPUBLIC

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

Keywords: Czech Republic; Roma; human rights; discrimination; legal framework; housing; education; inclusion; harassment; involuntary sterilisations;

This joint written submission outlines key issues of concern with regard to the Czech Republic’s implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (hereinafter the “CERD Convention”). These key issues of concern are the following: a. general legal framework on discrimination; b. housing and adequate living conditions; c. inclusive education; d. ill-treatment and harassment; and e. involuntary sterilisations. 2. The purpose of this joint submission is to inform the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (hereinafter the “Committee”) of legislation, policies and practices implemented bythe Czech Republic which violate the CERD Convention. We are also recommending the Committee to remind the State Party that, when acting upon the Committee’s recommendations, it has to take into consideration the entire body of UN human rights jurisprudence (rather than looking at separate treaty-based bodies) and respect all the obligations it has assumed by ratifying numerous UN human rights treaties. To this end we are providing, where relevant, information on the jurisprudence and practices of other UN human rights bodies. 3. This joint submission has been prepared by the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), the Mental Disability Advocacy Center (MDAC)2 and the Platform for Social Housing.

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PARALLEL REPORT BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING FRANCE (To the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, for consideration at the 86th Session 27 April to 15 May 2015)

PARALLEL REPORT BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING FRANCE (To the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, for consideration at the 86th Session 27 April to 15 May 2015)

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

Keywords: France; Roma; human rights; racial discrimination; forced evictions; detention; education; Romani children; discrimination; attacks against Roma; hate speech;

The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) submits this parallel report to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, for consideration at the 86th session (27 April to 15 May 2015). This report highlights some of the key human rights concerns for Roma in France.

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WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre, Concerning Romania (For Consideration by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the 53rd Session 10-28 November 2014).

WRITTEN COMMENTS of the European Roma Rights Centre, Concerning Romania (For Consideration by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the 53rd Session 10-28 November 2014).

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

Keywords: Romania; Roma; human rights; discrimination; forced evictions; health care; housing; evaluation;

According to current unofficial estimates the total number of Roma in Romania may be up to two million people. A verified and accurate count remains elusive. In 2013, the National Statistics Institute published the results of the 2011 Census of the Population and Households, finding that the total population had dropped from 21.68 million inhabitants in 2002 to 20.12 million. Of the 18.18 million respondents who gave information about their ethnicity, the number of persons self-identifying as Roma had increased to 621,006 (3.3% of total respondents, an increase from 535,140 (2.46%) in the 2002 census). The ERRC’s research in Romania shows that Roma face discrimination, social marginalisation and extreme poverty and challenges in many areas of life, including employment, housing, health and education.

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Written Comments of the European Roma Rights Centre Concerning Macedonia (For Consideration by the Human Rights Committee at its 112th Session 7-31 October 2014).

Written Comments of the European Roma Rights Centre Concerning Macedonia (For Consideration by the Human Rights Committee at its 112th Session 7-31 October 2014).

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

Keywords: Macedonia; Roma; human rights; violence; ill treatment; police brutality; Freedom of Movement; discrimination;

This list of critical issues with background information is presented by the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) for consideration by the Human Rights Committee at its 112th Session (07-31 Oct 2014). It contains country-specific information on issues affecting Roma in Macedonia that raise questions under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The Republic of Macedonia has 2,022,547 inhabitants, of whom 53,879 (2.66%) have declared themselves Roma. However, as elsewhere in the region, the actual number of Roma is much higher than the official figure; 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).

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WRITTEN COMMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING SERBIA (Regarding EU Accession Progress for Consideration by the European Commission during its 2014 Review)

WRITTEN COMMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING SERBIA (Regarding EU Accession Progress for Consideration by the European Commission during its 2014 Review)

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

Keywords: Serbia; Roma; human rights; forced evictions; housing; education; discrimination; violence; evaluation;

1. Anti-Discrimination 2. Education 3. Housing and Forced Evictions 4. Anti-Roma Violence

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WRITTEN COMMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING MACEDONIA (Regarding EU Accession Progress for Consideration by the European Commission during its 2014 Review)

WRITTEN COMMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN ROMA RIGHTS CENTRE CONCERNING MACEDONIA (Regarding EU Accession Progress for Consideration by the European Commission during its 2014 Review)

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

Keywords: Macedonia; Roma; human rights; EU accession; education; freedom of movement; hate speech; violence; evaluation;

1. Access to Education 2. Freedom of Movement 3. Violence and Hate Speech

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