EU endorses framework to improve lives of Roma people

EU heads of state on Friday endorsed the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies at a meeting in Brussels.

The Framework commits all 27 member states to develop targeted policies to improve the situation of the most vulnerable Roma communities living on their territory.

“It’s certainly a step forward,” says Robert Kushen, Executive Director of the European Roma Rights Centre, “but we hope it’s only the first step because the European Union really has to watch member states very carefully and make sure that they are going to follow through and not simply rehash old policies that don’t have the necessary political will and money behind them.”

Kushen told Vatican Radio that while the Framework addresses Roma exclusion in the areas of housing, health, education and employment, it says little about the problem of discrimination.

“Discrimination and rights violations are an integral part of the problem and the cause of exclusion, and also has to be addressed,” says Kushen.

The Roma population represents the largest ethnic minority in Europe, counting between 10 million to 12 million people.

Listen to Robert Kushen’s full interview with Kelsea Brennan-Wessels: