Factsheets from European Roma Rights Centre on Child Removal and International Standards

25 October 2013

Roma families have been in the media spotlight over the last week, as child removal cases continue to hit the headlines. In two cases in Ireland, Romani children were removed and returned to their parents after their relationship was established.

Authorities must take a proportionate, responsible approach to child protection, based on facts and evidence, not on racial profiling. As a matter of principle, police action based on perceived difference in physical appearance between parents and children constitutes racial profiling.

Roma have been unfairly demonised and scapegoated for centuries. We call on all national authorities to act in line with their own child protection procedures, and to show responsibility and restraint.

We’ve produced two factsheets to help NGOs, activists, media and state authorities.

Our legal factsheet gives a short overview of legal standards relating to racial profiling and child removal. It is available in English and Romanes.

Our factsheet explains some of the key problems that Roma, and in particular Romani children, face in Europe today. It is available in English and Romanes.

For more information, contact:

Sinan Gökçen
Media and Communications Officer
European Roma Rights Centre
Tel. +36.30.500.1324
sinan.gokcen@errc.org