On the occasion of the International Roma Day on 8 April, Minister of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights, Charalampos Athanasiou underlined the EU’s commitment to the protection of Roma rights.

“The Greek Presidency affirms its determination to prevent and combat discrimination against Roma in all its forms and to facilitate the inclusion of Roma in the European societies”, Minister Athanasiou said.

Member States and the EU work together to promote the social inclusion and integration of Roma communities. As Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU’s Justice Commissioner, stated a few days ago: “A wind of change is blowing”.

“The issue of Roma integration is now on the radar of most Member States. National governments are working to advance the development and to fully implement the National Roma Integration Strategies”, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Hellenic Interministerial Committee on Roma issues, Ioannis Michelakis, stressed at the Roma summit in Brussels on 4 April.

The European Union and its Member States have adopted a strong legislative framework and specific policies and measures to combat discrimination. Such legislation should be fully implemented in all Member States.

Member States have to remain vigilant. “Crimes against Roma must be effectively and promptly investigated and perpetrators prosecuted. If there is a discriminatory motive behind an attack, it has to be identified and unmasked”, Minister Athanasiou said.

Protecting fundamental rights is a key priority for the Hellenic Presidency. “Democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights are non-negotiable principles and values of the EU”, Minister Athanasiou concluded.