MINELRES: CfP: High Level Conference on the Security Situation of Roma in Europe, Bucharest, 12-13 October 2009

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Original sender: Robert Rustem <Robert.RUSTEM@coe.int>


Evropako Forumo e Romengo thaj e Phirutnengo 
Forum europeen des Roms et des Gens du voyage 
European Roma and Travellers Forum

C a l l    f o r    P a p e r s

Security Situation of the Roma in Europe
Economic Migration vs. Forced Migration

High Level Conference on the Security Situation of Roma in Europe 
Bucharest, 12-13 October 2009

The European Roma and Travellers Forum, in partnership with the
Committee for Human Rights, Cults and National Minorities Issues of the
Romanian Parliament and Partida Romilor Pro Europa (Roma Party for
Europe), is organizing a High Level Conference on the Security Situation
of Roma in Europe. 

The two-day conference will bring together the main stakeholders, high
level representatives and decision-makers of European and
inter-governmental human rights institutions, as well as
non-governmental and civil society organizations from Council of Europe
Member States. The aim of the conference is to discuss the hostilities
against Roma and the rising Anti-Tziganism within Europe. 

Background information to the conference 

The rising hostilities against Roma, racist attacks and a series of
murders, have forced Roma to migrate from Central, Eastern and South
Eastern Europe toward the more wealthy countries of the European Union.
Moreover, relations between Roma communities and the government are
increasingly strained, and there is an alarming number of reliable
reports suggesting that the police and the para-military groups use
disproportionate force and resort to violence that could be qualified as
degrading treatment.

Sixty years ago the Council of Europe was set up to rebuild Europe on
the basis of the respect of human rights and the dignity of the
individual. As the European Union progressed towards European
reunification, it was hoped to do away with what characterised the
history of this continent for centuries, including racial hatred,
pogroms, and the burning down of settlements.  

That hope must not be shattered. We must stop the rabid political
minorities of today from becoming the governments of tomorrow. States
have a responsibility to guarantee human rights protection for everyone.
The failure of several governments to guarantee human rights protection
for Roma has led to insecurity among Roma within European Union
countries. As a result, Roma people, citizens of the European Union, are
seeking asylum outside of their country. 

The European Roma and Travellers Forum has decided to hold a high-level
event on the security issue of the Roma in order to have an in-depth
analysis and discussion on this crucial topic. This time, we intend to
break away from the well-known, good old thematic areas and try to get
to the core of rising anti-Tziganism, the fear-motivated migration,
which is a real challenge for Europe. The open labour market of the
Western countries was intended to be the solution to overcome poverty
for people from the Eastern countries. It was not expected that
excluded, marginalized people would seek shelter and safety from
persecution in Western countries. 

Thematic areas to be discussed 

Having regard to the above, the European Roma and Travellers Forum
invites proposals for papers which analyze the aspects related to this
complex issue, focusing on one or more of the areas listed below: 

- Historical context: Jewish persecution, racism in South Africa and in
the United States of America; Historical parallels with the situation of
Roma, identification of possible advocacy tools or mechanisms for the
Roma movement to fight anti-Tziganism; 

- Methodology for identifying economic migration and forced migration,
possible legislative and non-legislative responses and the recently
applicable standards;

- Possible need for establishing minimum standards for the integration
of migrants and for ensuring their access to citizenship and equality;

- De facto and de iure statelessness of Roma;

- Implementation deficits of the Free Movement Directive (2004/38/EC)
and how the limitations imposed by member states have affected the Roma;

- Mechanisms introduced to fight against xenophobic and racially
motivated crimes committed against Roma in Europe; 

- European Initiatives, National Roma Integration Policies - possible
exchange of best practices in Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy,
Romania, UK; 


Applicants wishing to present their papers are invited to submit their
abstract (150 words ) and CV in English to the Secretariat of the
European Roma and Travellers Forum by 28 September 2009, at
ertf@coe.int.

The Secretariat will inform applicants of the decision by 30 September
2009. 

Final version of papers will then be submitted by 7 October 2009. The
selected paper will be included in the first panel on 12 October 2009
after the keynote speeches.

The author of the selected paper will be invited to the conference and
his/her costs will be covered by the organisers. 


The Secretariat 

Evropako Forumo e Romengo thaj e Phirutnengo (EFRP)
Forum europeen des Roms et des Gens du voyage (FERV)
European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF) 
  
DG III - Cohesion Sociale / Social Cohesion
Conseil de l'Europe / Council of Europe
AGORA Batiment - 1 quai Jacoutot
F - 67075 Strasbourg 
  
Tel.: + 33 (0)3 90 21 43 31
Fax: + 33 (0)3 90 21 56 58
E-mail: robert.rustem@coe.int 
http://ertf.org


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