Every year on 2 August, we commemorate the Roma Holocaust perpetrated during the Second World War and pay tribute to the victims of horrendous past human rights violations, including deportation and extermination. Now more than ever, we should all continue to confront the deeply rooted prejudices and stereotypes that form the bedrock for persisting and widespread discrimination against the Roma.

In an opening address at a conference launching the Chachipen project on truth and reconciliation on 29 March this year, I stressed the importance of exploring and exposing the history of Roma in Europe in order to better understand the mechanisms which have shaped institutionalised racism against them. At this time of remembrance, I wish to reiterate my support for this project’s objective of promoting the setting-up of truth and reconciliation commissions, of designing new ways of raising public awareness about Roma history and of empowering Roma activists to take part in transitional justice processes. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has magnified the impact of widespread and deeply rooted discrimination against Roma. These are not new phenomena, but rather further manifestations of existing and strong antigypsyism that is pervasive across Europe. They come to the surface even more easily in times of crisis. It is therefore crucial that Council of Europe States step up their efforts and ensure equal protection and care for Roma during the crisis and beyond.

The commemoration of 2 August reminds us of the imperative need to act relentlessly to combat antigypsyism and uphold the human rights of Roma in all circumstances, including in times of crisis.

The Public Services Ombudsman Wales has launched his newest tool – ‘Our Findings’.

Members of the public will now be able to browse or search recent investigations outcomes and reports.

Click here to use Our Findings.

The Protector of Citizens has requested the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development to harmonize the provisions of the Law on Fundamentals of Education System and the Law on Textbooks in order to clearly outline the role of the Parents’ Council in the textbook selection process.

In early June 2021, after the parents from Oslobodioci Beograda Elementary School filed complaints alleging that the school refused to approve the use of free of charge textbooks for some school subjects, the Protector of Citizens initiated the investigation to control work legality and regularity of the competent Ministry and the School.

In the response to the Protector of Citizens, the competent Ministry has invoked Article 34 of the Law on Textbooks, which did not specify that the Parents’ Council might influence the textbooks selection. However, in the same document, not once did the Ministry refer to the provision of article 120 of the Law on Fundamentals of Education System, specifying that the Parents’ Council takes part in suggesting the electives and in the textbooks selection process.

In the Opinion issued to the Ministry of Education, the Protector of Citizens has stated that, due to the inconsistencies of the Law on Fundamentals of Education System and the Law on Textbooks, it is necessary to use appropriate amendments to the Laws in order to harmonize the provisions that define the role of the Parents' Council in the selection of textbooks.

According to the Protector of Citizens, it is necessary to harmonize the articles of the two Laws related to the education of children in order to clearly and unambiguously define the role of the Parents’ Council in the textbook selection process, and thus enhance the child's right to education.

Camille a contacté la plateforme anti-discriminations.fr du Défenseur des droits. Elle témoigne.

« Originaire de Saint-Étienne, je réside désormais à Lille depuis la fin de mes études : c’est là que j’ai obtenu mon premier emploi d’agent immobilier. Après quelques années au sein de la même agence, j’ai eu envie de changement. J’ai donc postulé dans une autre agence se situant à Lyon.

Quelques jours après avoir déposé ma candidature, j’ai reçu un message du directeur de l’agence disant me refuser un entretien d’embauche car il préférait privilégier les candidats habitant à Lyon. Sur le moment, j’étais assez abasourdie par ce refus, mais intimement persuadée que ce n’était pas légal.

Cependant, je ne savais pas vraiment vers qui me tourner… J’ai fait quelques recherches sur Internet et j’ai découvert la plateforme antidiscriminations.fr. Le site proposait un numéro d’appel, mais j’ai préféré discuter grâce au tchat.

Un juriste m’a immédiatement répondu. Il m’a écoutée, m’a demandé de préciser certaines choses, puis m’a invitée à saisir le Défenseur des droits, car il était possible que je sois « victime d’une discrimination en raison de mon lieu de résidence », m’a-t-il dit.

Mon dossier a été traité rapidement, une solution à l’amiable a vite été trouvée : j’ai reçu, quelques semaines plus tard, une proposition d’entretien avec le directeur de l’agence immobilière à Lyon. C’était un vrai soulagement ! »

Si, comme Camille, vous pensez avoir subi un traitement défavorable en raison de votre lieu de résidence ou bien de votre apparence physique ou de vos origines, vous pouvez appeler le 39 28 ou le contacter via le tchat directement sur www.antidiscriminations.fr. Gratuit, du lundi au vendredi de 9 h à18 h.

Consiglio Regionale del Veneto, Comunicato stampa del 28/07/2021 

L'avvocato Mario Caramel, nuovo Garante dei Diritti della Persona, ha giurato davanti al Consiglio regionale del Veneto. 
Nei prossimi tre anni seguirà la Difesa dei Cittadini la Tutela dei Minori e delle Persone in carcere. 

L’avvocato Mario Caramel, ex Segretario della Giunta regionale, ha prestato oggi, in aula consiliare, il giuramento quale nuovo Garante dei diritti della persona, prendendo il testimone lasciato da Mirella Gallinaro, che ha ricoperto l’Ufficio dal 2015.

Il Presidente del Consiglio regionale del Veneto, Roberto Ciambetti, ha presentato all’Assemblea Legislativa il nuovo Garante, ricordando brevemente gli oneri che tale ufficio comporta.

“Ringrazio innanzitutto il Garante uscente, la dottoressa Mirella Gallinaro, anche a nome di tutta l’Assemblea legislativa veneta, per aver ricoperto l’incarico, dal 2015, in modo ottimale – ha affermato il Presidente – Contestualmente, faccio un grande in bocca al lupo e auguro buon lavoro al nuovo Garante, l’avvocato Mario Caramel, persona di grande esperienza amministrativa e di comprovate capacità che saprà ricoprire al meglio questo difficile e importante ruolo, assolutamente strategico e centrale nel nostro ordinamento, previsto dallo Statuto regionale che, all’articolo 63, ne spiega compiti e il ruolo. Il Garante deve assicurare, secondo procedure non giudiziarie, di promozione, protezione e mediazione, i diritti delle persone fisiche e giuridiche, nei confronti delle Pubbliche Amministrazioni in ambito regionale. Il Garante, altresì, deve promuovere, proteggere e facilitare i diritti dei minori e delle persone private della libertà personale, una pluralità di funzioni che richiedono particolare attenzione, equilibrio, conoscenze tecniche e della macchina amministrativa: tutte qualità che l’avvocato Caramel possiede”.

L’avvocato Caramel, nel prestare giuramento, ha dichiarato: “Ho preso contatto con la dottoressa Mirella Gallinaro, che ringrazio perché ho trovato una struttura perfettamente funzionante, già molto ben avviata. Mi onoro di aver avuto un passaggio di consegne sereno e segnato da reciproca fiducia. Ci vedremo a consuntivo, quando vi presenterò i risultati del mio lavoro. Infatti, il giuramento è soltanto una premessa: poi bisogna rispondere ai destinatari. Ringrazio tutta l’Assemblea per la fiducia accordatami e i cittadini veneti”.