Hard Times and Hardening Attitudes: the Economic Downturn and the Rise of Violence Against Roma

Members

Hon. Alcee L. Hastings

Co-Chairman

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Hon. Darrell E. Issa

Commissioner

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Hon. Joseph R. Pitts

Commissioner

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Moderator

Erika B. Schlager

Counsel for International Law

Witnesses

Katalin Barsony

Sociologist, Filmmaker, Project Manager

Budapest-based Roma NGO Romedia Foundation

Stansilav Daniel

Research Consultant

European Roma Rights Center

Isabela Mihalache

Senior Program Manager, Roma Initiatives

Open Society Instiute

Andrzej Mirga

Advisor on Romani Issues

OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

This briefing focused on the economic downturn and the rise of violence against Roma, the largest ethnic minority of Europe.

It was presided by Hon. Alcee L. Hastings, the Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and he was join by Katalin Barsony, Stansilav Daniel, Isabela Mihalache,and Andrzej Mirga, an advisor on Roman issues.

The briefing was held during the 20th anniversary of the fall of Communism, in which Eastern and Western needed to work together to meet the challenges to defend the basic human rights of Roma.

The panelists gave their opinion about the causes of the spike in violence, the implications of these trends, and what the OSCE could do.

Relevant Issues

Roma Tolerance and Non-Discrimination

Leadership

Alcee Hastings

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