International conference on Roma and Sinti held in Warsaw, OSCE determined to improve situation

WARSAW, 20 October 2005 - A two-day international conference on the plight of Roma, Sinti and Travellers began today in Warsaw.

The focus of the event, entitled 'Joint International Conference on the Implementation of Policies and Action Plans for Roma, Sinti and Travellers, and Measures Against the Anti-Gypsyism Phenomenon in Europe', will be the implementation of the Action Plan for the Improvement of the Situation of the Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area, the Council of Europe's relevant recommendations on Roma and travellers, and respective European Union standards.

Ambassador Dr. Boris Frlec, Head of the OSCE Task Force, emphasized the determination of many states and international organizations to improve the situation of Roma, Sinti and Travellers across Europe and to combat discrimination against this group.

"A flexible approach to debate and an intensive co-operation with governmental institutions are the elements that form the basis of the OSCE special contribution to the discussion of the situation of Roma at the European level," he said. "This also includes non-governmental organizations, particularly those representing the interests of Roma at the international level".

The conference is being organized jointly by the Slovenian OSCE Chairmanship, the Warsaw-based OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Poland's Ministries of Interior and Administration and of Foreign Affairs, the Council of Europe, and the European Union Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia.