Partnersbijeenkomst Brussel

REPORT OF THE TWO-DAY MEETING
ROMA EUROPEAN UNION (REU) JEKHIPE
BRUSSELS, APRIL 16-17, 2024

Date: April 16-17, 2024
Location: European Parliament and GC Het Huys

Attendees:
Roma organizations from Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Italy, Germany, France, Slovenia, and Bulgaria, as well as ambassadors from the Republic of Serbia, North Macedonia, and Slovenia. (The German and Danish embassies agreed to attend but canceled two days before the meeting for certain reasons. While representatives of the Montenegrin embassy did not attend despite confirming their participation.)

First day of the meeting
(16-04-2024) location: EU Parliament

Welcome and opening speech: Imer Kajtazi, President of the Roma European Union JEKHIPE

Presentation of partners:

• REU-JEKHIPE (Prof. Emrah Aziri)
• URYD (Union of Roma and Romani Organizations, Burhan Osmani)
• ERO (European Roma Organization, Sevdije Abdulahova)
• IRF (International Roma Foundation, Turkijan Bajramovic)
• Lokhar e Dukh (Hamit Avdo)
• Sastipe NGO (Olivera Kutic Idic)
• Roma Initiative Zabalj (Zivka Fan)
• Roma Women's Association (Radojka Morina)
• RTS-Romanipen (Branko Djuric)
• Telegraf.rs-Nevimata (Director Igor Kuzmanovic)
• RTV-Roma (Senad Maljoku)
• Hand by Hand (Saip Ramic)
• Dživdipe Kumanovo (Sevdjan Sulejmanovski)
• Roma Center & Roma Antidiscrimination Network (Kenan Emini)
• Romano Jekhipe Kosovo (Hisen Gashnjani)
• Union of Roma of Serbia (Milos Mihajlovic)

The presentations of Roma organizations proceeded very positively and informatively. All present organizations presented their work from local to national levels, also expressing their opinions, suggestions, and future visions, i.e., future plans of their work within their organizations. The political party URS (Union of Roma of Serbia) presented its program to all organizations and offered cooperation with all organizations, emphasizing the importance of support from all organizations and individuals.

Each organization was given 5 to 10 minutes to present their speech.

14:00 Lunch break

15:30 Second part of the meeting
(16/04 Location: GC Het Huys (Brussels)

The President of REU-Jekhipe, Imer Kajtazi, presented his plan for forming a body that will work on expanding this network. He emphasized the importance of promoting the same network for Roma organizations to sign a memorandum of cooperation with REU-Jekhipe. Also, REU-Jekhipe requested all present Roma partners to contact and engage with other organizations to collaborate and implement our joint activities.

Mission and vision of REU-Jekhipe:

The JEKHIPE network aims to bring together various Roma organizations, non-governmental organizations, government institutions, and international partners to create a coordinated and effective approach to improve the lives of Roma both in Europe and the Balkans. The mission of JEKHIPE is to fight against discrimination, promote human rights, encourage economic development, and preserve the cultural identity of the Roma community.

Goals:
1. Education and employment:
Support education and employment programs to improve access to education for Roma children and adults, as well as create opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship in Roma communities.
2. Combating discrimination:
Actively work to reduce discrimination and promote equal rights for Roma in all segments of society, including the judiciary, public services, housing, and employment.
3. Cultural promotion:
Preserve, support, and promote the rich Roma culture, language, and tradition through the organization of cultural events, artistic programs, and educational initiatives.
4. Collaboration and partnership:
Build strong relationships between Roma organizations, governments, international institutions, and donors for joint action and resource sharing to achieve common goals.
5. Socio-economic development:
Develop and implement programs for the economic development of Roma communities through investments in infrastructure, support for small businesses, and the development of rural areas inhabited by Roma.
6. Establishment of the Roma Media Network of Europe and the Balkans:
Create a media platform that will enable Roma communities across Europe and the Balkans to have their voices heard, promote their culture and identity, and provide objective reporting on issues relevant to Roma.

The plan has been postponed for the next meeting to strengthen it and add segments to the same plan.

Meeting adjourned

Second day of the meeting 17-04-2024
Location: GC Het Hyus (Brussels)

After a warm welcome and introduction by the President of REU-Jekhipe, Imer Kajtazi, a panel discussion and debate with the ambassadors of the Republic of Serbia, North Macedonia, and Slovenia, moderated by Aleksandar Nedeljkovic (Telegraf.rs), began.

The general topics covered were:

1. Integration, or reintegration, of Roma in Europe
2. Documentation issues of Roma in the diaspora (displaced Roma from Kosovo)
3. Cooperation between REU-Jekhipe and embassies

Responses to the questions raised varied. The Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia emphasized the importance of cooperation in line with the measures and laws of the host countries, particularly highlighting compliance with Belgian law. Mr. Tašić, the Serbian ambassador, after questions from the audience about documents such as the registration of children born outside Serbia and the issue of Roma property in Kosovo, emphasized that REU-Jekhipe thoroughly documents all relevant issues and forwards them to the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia.

Regarding questions from the audience about financial funds in embassies for implementing activities, the response was consistent - ambassadors directed Roma organizations to state and European institutions to apply for projects financing the implementation of activities. This means that embassies do not directly finance non-governmental organizations.

The representative of the Slovenian Embassy directed Roma organizations to European funds, while the Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia emphasized the embassy's readiness for informational cooperation, i.e., sharing information between the Roma community and the Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia.

The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia expressed its desire and readiness to establish a bridge of cooperation between REU-Jekhipe and their embassy departments, such as consular departments, but further discussion on this matter followed the reply of the President of URS, Milos Mihajlovic.

The panel discussion ended with thanks from the President of REU-Jekhipe, Imer Kajtazi.

13:30 Lunch break

Second part of the meeting 17-04
Location: GC Het Huys (Brussels)

Evaluation and conclusions of the two-day meeting:

Each organization had the opportunity to express their opinion on the two-day meeting, and the majority rated the meeting, starting from accommodation to organization, as positive and thanked for everything.

Some attendees highlighted the need to strengthen this network.

Conclusion and requests to state and European institutions:

1. Support for strengthening Roma organizations:
• State institutions should support Roma organizations in strengthening their capacities. This includes financial support for training, staff education, and administrative capacity building. European institutions can contribute to this support through funding programs and
technical assistance specifically aimed at Roma organizations.

2. Implementation of inclusion policies:
• State institutions should actively implement Roma inclusion policies that have already been adopted. This involves implementing concrete measures to improve education, employment, healthcare, and housing for the Roma community. European institutions can support these efforts by providing guidance, technical assistance, and financial support.

3. Combating discrimination:
• State institutions should actively work to combat all forms of discrimination against Roma and ensure full implementation of anti-discrimination laws. This includes raising awareness of Roma rights, training for public officials and judges, and providing support to victims of discrimination. European institutions can support these efforts through monitoring law enforcement and providing expert support.

4. Roma participation in decision-making:
• State institutions should ensure active participation of Roma community representatives in decision-making processes that directly or indirectly affect them. This includes establishing advisory bodies or consultation mechanisms with Roma organizations. European institutions should also ensure adequate representation of Roma in relevant EU institutions and incorporate their views into political processes.

5. Support for Roma initiatives:
• State and European institutions should actively support Roma initiatives and projects that contribute to the improvement of the Roma community's position in society. This may include financial support, technical assistance, mentoring, and promotion of successful initiatives. It is also important to ensure transparency and fairness in the allocation of funds.

6. Transparency and accountability:
• State and European institutions should ensure transparency in their work and regularly inform the public about activities concerning the Roma community. It is also important to ensure accountability for the use of public funds allocated for Roma support programs. This includes establishing effective mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating programs, as well as penalties for misuse of funds.

From the side of Roma Center e.V. and RAN (Roma Antidiscrimination Network), there has been a proposal to establish an Independent Commission against Antigypsyism with the aim of combating discrimination against Roma. This commission would be independent of political factions and comprised of experts from various fields, including academia and practical experience. Its main role would be to commission scientific research to systematically examine all forms of discrimination directed against Roma. Based on the results of these studies, the Commission would formulate recommendations for actions to be taken, particularly targeting politicians.

Additionally, as part of this initiative, a Commissioner against Antigypsyism would be appointed, responsible for overseeing the implementation of recommendations and coordinating activities to combat discrimination against Roma. This approach aims at systematically studying and combating all forms of prejudice and discrimination against Roma in society.

Through the specific demands we have made, we express deep hope that an environment will be created that will enable significant improvement in the living conditions of Roma and achieve true inclusion in society. We believe that state and European institutions are key to achieving these goals, and it is therefore vital that they take an active role in supporting the Roma community.
Only through joint effort and dedication of state and European institutions, together with the Roma community, can we make real progress in achieving the goals of inclusion and improving the lives of Roma both in the European Union and the Balkans.
We expect concrete and effective solutions that will contribute to creating a fairer society for all.

Dear friends, esteemed partners,

We would like to express sincere gratitude to all Roma organizations, partners, and ambassadors who participated in our two-day conference organized by REU-Jekhipe.

Your support and engagement are essential for achieving our goal - the unity of the Roma community.

We would especially like to thank Roma Center e.V. and RAN (Roma Antidiscrimination Centrum) for their financial support, which enabled the organization of this conference. Without your help, this meeting would not have been possible, and for that, we are immensely grateful.

Your support has inspired us to continue with our work and to further advocate for the interests and rights of the Roma community. We believe that together we have made significant progress, but there is still much work ahead of us.

We look forward to seeing you again at the end of this or next year, this time with an even larger group, to continue our dialogue and work towards achieving our goal - the unity of the Roma community. We will invite you again to a larger gathering with new ideas, suggestions, and plans, as we are convinced that only through collective effort can we make real progress.

Once again, thank you all for your support and dedication. We look forward to future collaboration and joint successes.

With best regards,

Roma European Union
JEKHIPE

Report compiled by:
Tanja Savić
President of the Parliament
Roma European Union (REU) JEKHIPE