EU Roma Framework: European Commission puts fighting racism first
12 July 2016
The 2016 communication on the EU Roma Framework is the most explicit declaration from Brussels that human rights must come first. In this latest progress update on Roma inclusion, the European Commission reported that in the last year it has “stepped up action” to fight discrimination, segregation and anti-Gypsyism, hate speech and hate crime. The Commission also highlighted the failures of Member States to address the most important housing challenges, namely fighting segregation and preventing forced evictions. With infringement proceedings over school segregation on the go in three Member States, the Commission continues to investigate discrimination in housing and schools in a number of other countries, and stated that it will take action to ensure the Racial Equality Directive is properly transposed and enforced.
Earlier this year the ERRC submitted a progress review to the Commission covering seven countries: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Romania and Slovakia. The review found evidence of worrying regress in many countries amidst all the democratic backsliding, policy inaction and anti-Gypsyism. One key point that emerged was that without full access to justice for Roma the stated ambition of the EU Framework to “make a tangible difference to Roma people’s lives by bringing about a change in the approach to their inclusion” will never see the light of day.
Among the main issues of concern were school segregation; housing and forced evictions; and racially motivated crimes and police violence against Roma. It is most encouraging that the Commission communication made extensive use of these findings and prioritized these issues in its general overview and country specific assessments.
Back in 2011 when the Framework was first launched, observers worried that combating anti-Gypsyism might get lost in the soft soap of social inclusion, and the ‘growth’ agenda for 2020. ERRC and partner organisations campaigned long and hard to ensure that tackling racism and institutional discrimination against Roma didn’t fall off the policy agenda. The message was simple: all talk of integration is nonsense on stilts unless racism is recognised as the root cause of social exclusion of Roma; and that the whole Framework is doomed unless serious efforts are made to fight anti-Gypsyism and undo the history and habits of deeply embedded discrimination.
At the mid-point of the Framework, it is now clear that the Commission fully embraces this perspective, and is deeply concerned that “no real improvements can be seen on the ground”. It calls on Member States to demonstrate greater political will to combat discrimination, describes rising anti-Gypsyism as “a specific form of racism”, and urges public authorities to distance themselves from racist and xenophobic discourse that targets Roma. When it comes to anti-Roma hate speech and hate crime, the Commission bluntly stated that authorities’ failure to take action effectively amounts to complicity: “it is important to realise that a reluctance to act also contributes to the acceptance of intolerance in societies.”
One thing must be faced now: unless justice can prevail without prejudice for Roma citizens of the European Union, the EU Roma Framework will founder. The Commission has no illusions about closing the gaps between Roma and non-Roma by the Framework end-date of 2020, and has declared its intent to develop a post-2020 strategic approach to Roma inclusion. While many Member States continue to backslide and fail to deliver on justice and equality for Roma, it is a welcome signal that the Commission remains committed and is digging in for the long haul in the battle against racism and discrimination.
