27th meeting of the Decade's International Steering Committee

Details: Tuesday, 30 September 2014 10:02

27ISC

Sarajevo was the host of the 27th meeting of the International Steering Committee of the Decade of Roma Inclusion, the first under the presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, held on 29 and 30 September. The meeting was officially opened by the Minister for Human Rights and Refugees, g. Damir Ljubić, who emphasized that BiH has achieved good results in the inclusion of Roma, although this country joined the Decade initiative with certain delay.

Bosnia has joined the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005 - 2015 in September 2008.

In addition to the representatives of the governments of the Decade member states and the civil society, the meeting was attended by representatives of international organizations.

Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, Mr Jonathan Moore, recalled that ten practitioners in the OSCE Mission are working to solve the problems of the Roma. "It is particularly important that the Decade of Roma is continued after 2015 in BiH and other countries," said Moore.

Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in BiH, Mr Asin Melvin, said that the European Union supports the goals of the Decade, ie. socio - economic inclusion of Roma into society. "The aim is to bridge the gap between the Roma and the local population with regard to employment, health and social protection," said Melvin, adding that each country's responsibility in this process must be to fight against discrimination and racism. Integration of the Roma population in the EU accession process, he says, is a priority, and the EU carefullly monitors this development through the annual report, which will be presented on October 8 for 2014.

During the presidency of BiH over the Decade of Roma Inclusion, partners will continue to discuss and search modes to continue the process of support to the Roma population, with respect for the principles of the Declaration of the Decade.

Mr. Ivan Toskić (Democratic Roma Centre) and Mr. Elvis Beriša (RYO "Phiren amentia") represented Montenegrin Roma civil society at this meeting.