03/11/2026 Equality and Non-Discrimination | New Democratic Pact
Opening a session at the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, Georgios Stamatis (Greece, EPP/CD), PACE General Rapporteur on Roma and Travellers, warned that hate speech and discrimination can undermine democratic participation. “When someone withdraws from public debate because of racist abuse, when a young person conceals their identity, or when a woman leaves an online discussion because of threats, the harm extends beyond the individual. Our shared democratic space becomes smaller,” he said.
Mr Stamatis highlighted the persistent discrimination faced by Roma and Travellers across Europe, including in education, employment, housing and healthcare. “Antigypsyism is a specific form of racism directed against Roma and Travellers. It is expressed through prejudice, dehumanisation, stigmatisation, discrimination and, at times, violence”, he said. Warning against hateful narratives that associate entire communities with criminality, he stressed: “We must reject collective blame and insist on individual dignity and respect for human rights.”
Calling for political commitment, education and meaningful involvement of marginalised communities, Mr Stamatis urged participants to assess how these initiatives reach people and whether they make a difference. “Democratic renewal begins when respect for human rights and full equality becomes a daily practice”, he concluded.
