Mr. Chairman, we would like to thank you and your
Government for the organization of this meeting. We have
proved that we can "learn while doing." The
experimentation, and the changes that you have made
during the course of the year to the structure of this
meeting, have made them better and better each time. We
thank you very much for that.
The plight of Roma communities in this century has
been tragic. During World War II, Roma were targeted for
complete annihilation. In countries where Roma were most
numerous, Communist regimes attempted forced
assimilation, sterilization, and segregation in housing,
education, and employment.
Unfortunately, the fall of the Iron Curtain has not
necessarily improved the lot of the Romani people, nor
are their current difficulties limited to states in
transition. At the September 6 Supplementary Human
Dimension Meeting on Roma and Sinti issues, the High
Commissioner on National Minorities reported that
"discrimination and exclusion are fundamental features
of the Roma experience." Since 1993, "conditions of
Romani communities in Europe have, in many key respects,
continued to deteriorate." The High Commissioner also
noted that despite the seriousness of the problems now
confronting Roma, "neither OSCE nor its Participating
States have devoted the attention or resources to this
issues that are plainly warranted."
It was clear from the recent meeting that Romani
citizens in the OSCE area do not want to wait another
generation for improvements in their lives.
However, as the High Commissioner observed, while the
situation is deteriorating and resources are lacking, it
is important for Roma to "mobilize and participate in
society." He said Roma themselves must break the "cycle
of dependency and passivity" and emerge as the "agents
of their own destiny."
We look forward to the High Commissioner's report and
ODIHR proposals on how the OSCE can move forward with
Roma-related programs. In the meantime, we believe
suggestions emerged from the meeting that can be put
into practice very quickly; in fact some of them have
already been initiated:
Mission members and international police and
peacekeepers involved in operations such as UNMIK/KFOR
must be trained on issues relating to minorities,
especially the Roma.
More Romani staff must be seconded to OSCE missions,
particularly to the Kosovo Mission. In that regard, we
thank Finland for seconding a Roma to the Kosovo Mission
and another to the ODIHR office.
The OSCE should encourage UNMIK and KFOR to establish
a Roma point of contact in each of their
organizations.
The Roma should also have direct input into
decision-making which affects them. Roma should not be
overlooked in the development of local and central
government systems in Kosovo.
The OSCE should explore ways to help Roma take the
initiative in identifying and informing UNMIK/KFOR of
humanitarian needs, including infrastructure repairs,
that will need to be met before winter. The Roma should
benefit appropriately from assistance programs, as they
become available.
We should give special attention to the Kosovar Roma
-- those still in Kosovo and those who have fled to
surrounding countries.
KFOR should have a Romani-generated register of Roma
communities, rank-ordered by "threat to security" and be
prepared to deploy protection and support rapidly if
necessary.
Communication systems between the Roma and the Kosovo
Mission, and neighborhood watches or intra-communal
warden systems could be established to improve security;
authorities must respond immediately if Roma communities
are threatened with violence.
On a broader scale, we all need to check that our own
countries have legislation which protects Roma from
discrimination -- then we must ensure that it is
enforced.
The September 6 Human Dimension Supplementary Meeting
on Roma and Sinti issues gave us all much to
contemplate. We were pleased with the high level of
interest and the interaction among the delegations and
NGOs. The new Roma advisor Nicolae Gheorghe is an
important addition to the ODIHR staff. We appreciated
his insights, especially on the situation in Kosovo.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, a note on the structure of the
meetings. We are grateful to the Norwegian delegation
and ODIHR for the success of the three 1999 Human
Dimension Supplementary Meetings. These were the first
of such meetings. The planning was excellent -- an
admirable combination of flexibility and good
organization. We should now reflect on how we may
further fine-tune the procedures, as we begin to
organize for the 2000 series.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
