The European Parliament adopted by 545 votes to 96, with 54 abstentions, a resolution on the implementation of National Roma Integration Strategies: combating negative attitudes towards people with Romani background in Europe.

Members noted that the overall situation of the Romani people in the EU has not improved, often due to persistent antigypsyism and a lack of political will. They deplored the fact that a significant number of Roma in Europe live in extremely precarious conditions, with the poorest being deprived of their basic human rights. The COVID-19 crisis has worsened the situation of marginalised Romani communities.

EU legislative proposal, EU post-2020 strategy

Parliament called on the Commission to develop a 'Romani mainstreaming policy' to integrate the perspective of the Romani people at all stages and levels of mainstream policies, programmes and projects. Member States are invited to do the same and to develop policies that contribute to the active inclusion of the Romani people into our societies.

The Commission is invited to present a legislative proposal for equality, inclusion and participation of Roma and the fight against antigypsyism. This proposal shall combine socio-economic considerations with a rights-based approach including a plan to eliminate inequalities in housing, health, employment and education, and set specific binding and time-bound targets to protect and improve their inclusion.

The European Commission's post-2020 proposal shall focus on combating poverty and antigypsyism, improving living and health conditions and combining targeted and comprehensive strategies.

Funding

The Commission was called on to strengthen the link between EU mainstream financial and policy instruments and objectives for the inclusion of the Romani people set out in the Commission's proposal. Funds shall be mobilised for Roma equality, inclusion and participation under the multi-annual financial framework 2021-2027 and the EU Recovery Plan. Member States shall complement EU financial support.

National inclusion strategies

Parliament invited the Commission to set up an EU-level working group on Roma to facilitate their inclusion in different policy areas and called on Member States to develop post-2020 national strategies for the Inclusion of Romani people, accompanied by a comprehensive joint assessment framework and with an adequate pre-defined budget.

Antigypsyism and intersectional discrimination

Parliament called on Member States to formally recognise antigypsyism as a particular form of racism against Romani people and to combat antigypsyism in key areas of the post-2020 proposal towards Romani people. It called on the Commission to take immediate action by initiating infringement procedures where there is a risk of violation of Union law.

Member States shall also:

- guarantee Roma equal access to justice and equality before the law and protect them from threats from extreme right-wing groups;

- adopt guidelines and provide training for police forces against the disproportionate criminalisation of the Romani people;

- step up efforts to combat discrimination and hate speech and hate crimes in national and EU anti-discrimination legislation.

Members strongly condemned the ethnic segregation of the Romani population in healthcare institutions, including maternity wards.

Equal and equitable access to education and the Romani arts, language and culture

Parliament expressed particular concern about the high level of segregation faced by Romani children in schools and the discriminatory practice of placing Romani children in schools for children with intellectual disabilities. It called on the Member States concerned to put an end to these practices, to give priority to the elimination of all forms of segregation of Roma in schools and to guarantee Romani children equal access to quality education.

Member Stall promote Romani language, culture and history in school curricula, museums and other forms of cultural and historical expression, and recognise the contribution of the Romani culture to European heritage.

Quality and affordable housing, environmental justice

Parliament invited Member States to:

- adopt a comprehensive mechanism to ensure that housing discrimination and abuse against the Romani community is prevented or punished, to address homelessness, and to provide sufficient and appropriate reception areas for nomadic Romani. Evictions of Roma should always be carried out in accordance with the law;

- minimise the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Romani people living in overcrowded housing and inhuman conditions by legalising their informal settlements and investing in the improvement of infrastructure and housing in newly legalised informal settlements.

Romani women and girls

Parliament called on the Commission and the Member States to:

- contribute more explicitly to the inclusion of Romani women and girls through active labour market policies, including the Youth Guarantee;

- ensure that the fundamental rights of Romani women and children are respected and that the fight against patriarchal and sexist traditions continues;

- ensure quality employment services for young Romani, especially those who are not in employment, education or training and who face extreme poverty.