07/04/2025 Equality and Non-Discrimination
On the eve of International Roma Day (8 April), Francesco Verducci (Italy, SOC), PACE General Rapporteur on combating racism and intolerance, made the following statement:
“On International Roma Day, we honour the culture, language and history of Roma people, and their contribution to European civilisation. We also recognise their resilience in the face of adversity. Across the centuries, Roma communities have created a unique identity, expressed in many ways, including through language and music, enriching our societies in countless ways.
This is a day of celebration, but also a time for reflection: the scourge of anti-gypsyism, deep-rooted discrimination and intolerance against Roma people is widespread in Europe. The Parliamentary Assembly has regularly denounced the ethnic profiling, barriers in access to justice, segregation in education, and exclusion from housing and employment that represent persistent challenges. Institutional discrimination against Roma limits their opportunities and reinforces cycles of poverty and marginalisation.
On this day, we must reaffirm our commitment to combating such injustice. Encouraging progress has been made, particularly in education, which is a crucial tool for girls and boys to break the cycle of exclusion, but much more remains to be done. The situation of Roma women and girls should be a priority, as multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination make their daily lives particularly challenging, calling for specific, effective measures.
I welcome the constantly increasing awareness and commitment to fighting anti-gypsyism within the Council of Europe, where all bodies are working to advance Roma rights. The Parliamentary Assembly will continue to play its role. National authorities must step up their efforts. Only through concerted and sustained action can we advance towards the full and equal participation of Roma people in our societies.”