MINELRES: Council of Europe and Roma Forum make partnership agreement

[MINELRES moderator]

Original sender: Roma Network <romale@zahav.net.il>


Council of Europe and Roma Forum make partnership agreement

http://press.coe.int/cp/2004/544a(2004).htm
 
Strasbourg, 04.11.2004 - The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers
has today agreed on the details for closer co-operation between the
Council of Europe and the recently established European Roma and
Travellers Forum.

The Forum - an initiative of Finnish President Tarja Halonen which led
to a project by Finland and France - has been established as an
independent international organisation run by the Roma and Travellers
themselves. It aims to give a common voice to the Roma and Travellers in
European politics, providing a means to overcome endemic discrimination
and to strengthen their inherently weak social and economic position.
Amongst key issues for the Forum are racism, education, employment and
health care. Delegates will be selected from organisations representing
the 10 million European Roma in all the Council of Europe member states
where they are living.

The partnership agreement will give the Forum a voice in the Council's
various bodies and will mean it receives material support.

Council of Europe Press Division

Tel: +33 (0) 3 88 41 25 60
Fax:+33 (0) 3 88 41 39 11

E-mail: pressunit@coe.int
Internet: www.coe.int/press 

A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 46
member states.