“ wanted to show that all kids are equal …the imagination
I
they have and their friendship, no matter where they live,
kids just surrender to the game they play, they completely
become a part of it in a second.” sonia ardan
Photo: sonia ardan
Across the length and breadth of
Europe life for the Roma community has always
been difficult. The Roma face persistent and ongoing discrimination, exclusion and destitution
in every country they live in. 2013 was no exception; throughout the year stories broke in the media regarding forced expulsions from France, Italy
and Spain, coupled with children being taken away
from their families by authorities because they
had a different hair colour to that of their parents.
These events revealed with great clarity that very
little has changed when it comes to how the Roma
people are treated and perceived in Europe.
In the middle of 2013 another story broke about
how the police in Skåne, in the southern part of
Sweden, had kept registers on Roma communities
to keep track of families living in the area. It was a
discovery widely criticised both locally and internationally.
Civil Rights Defenders is an outspoken voice in
Sweden, the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe
for legislation that protects the rights of the Roma.
It is of utmost importance to continue capacity
building within the community to ensure that their
voice is heard. This has been achieved through the
lobbying of governments, round table discussions,
exhibitions and seminars where representatives
from the Roma community tell their story, not
only of widespread discrimination and intolerance
but also give insights into their culture and history.
In late 2013 and early 2014, Civil Rights Defenders were one of the principle organisers of a photo
contest depicting everyday life of the Roma com-
25
munity in Serbia. ”The photo competition is a milestone for the building of relations between the local
population and one of the most marginalised groups in
the country. Serbians got to showcase the lives of their
fellow citizens through the power of the lens,” said Ana
Sacipovic, Director of Association of Roma Women “Osvit”.
Goran Miletic, Programme Director for the
Western Balkans at Civil Rights Defenders was
overwhelmed by the response from the public:
“The response from the public is a success story in itself.
But it also sends a strong message of support from the
tolerant part of Serbian society, which has been given
an opportunity to express itself.”