Human Rights of the Romani Minority
Thursday, June 8, 2000, 4:00 am
Witnesses
Diane Orentlicher
Professor of Law
American University
Ina Zoon
Consultant
Open Society Institute
Hon. Monika Horakova
M.P.
Czech Parliament
Rumyan Russinov
Director
Roma Participation Project
Angela Kocze
Human Rights Education Director
European Roma Rights Center
Karolina Bamanova
Member
Czechoslovak Roma Association in Canada
Much of today's hearing will focus on Central and Southern Europe, post-communist countries where Roma are the most numerous, but there are Roma in almost every OSCE country, and Roma face prejudice in every country in which they live.
Roma in many democracies continue to fight the straight-jacket that is racial stereotyping. In fact, in the United States, there are over one million Roma, and it was only in 1997, for example, that the legislators unanimously voted to repeal an anti-Roma statute in the state of New Jersey, which was originally adopted way back in 1917.
The hearing will shape how to better understand the plight of the Roma people and potential policies that may curb the frequent human rights abuses they face.
Relevant Countries
Leadership