OSCE holds expert meeting on building trust between police, Roma communities

VIENNA, 28 September 2009 - A police experts' workshop held today in Vienna looked at good practices that can help build trust and understanding between police and Roma and Sinti communities.

The event, which was organized by the OSCE Strategic Police Matters Unit (SPMU) in co-operation with the Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, brought together police experts from 15 OSCE participating States. They discussed police agencies' experience in working to improve relations with Roma and Sinti communities and in tackling racially motivated crimes against Roma and Sinti.

"This workshop helped put the focus on a field that is of crucial importance across the OSCE area. In late October, we will host another meeting on the topic where civil society and government institutions will take part," said Manuel Marion, Acting Head of the SPMU.

The findings of the workshops will be incorporated into a new OSCE booklet on good practices in building trust and understanding between police and Roma and Sinti communities.