CoE fights stereotypes towards Roma

CoE fights stereotypes towards Roma

Co-financed by the European Commission, the project includes training programs for Roma and government officials to uphold Roma rights, and the “Dosta!” awareness raising campaign, which promotes a positive image of Roma citizens against common stereotypes and prejudices.

Encouraged by the recent election of Roma citizens Rajko Đurić and Srđan Šajn to the Serbian national parliament and Serbia’s signing last month of the “Guidelines for Improvement and Legalization of Roma Informal Settlements in Serbia”, a press conference will mark the launch of the “Dosta!” awareness raising campaign at the Belgrade Media Centre on February 28.

The project aims to end prejudice by bringing Roma and non-Roma citizens in Europe closer together. One part of the campaign includes helping member states like Serbia improve housing conditions of Roma.

“Dosta!” will also be launched in Montenegro, at a press conference on March 1 in Podgorica. Displaced Roma in Montenegro face severe difficulties in accessing basic human rights such as housing, health care, employment and social welfare, and the Council of Europe will address such problems in a seminar jointly organized with the UNHCR in Montenegro later in the spring.

Europe wide there are nearly 10 million Roma people, living in almost all Council of Europe member states. In some Central and Eastern European countries, they represent over 5% of the population.