When I asked Murat Haliti do you see connection between the Kosovo crisis and current crisis he replied that it is the same, just actors have changed. Mr Haliti is a Roma refugee from Kosovo and executive director of the Roma National Organization “Chachipe” in Denmark who shared with me his opinion on the recent developments.
O. Tahir: Politicians with openly anti-Roma views enter the European Parliament, while Roma have completely disappeared from it. In addition, even Mr Dan Doghi, who was the Roma holding the highest position in the European Commission’s department responsible for the EU Framework on Roma inclusion strategies has been removed and no more is in Brussels. So both in the Parliament and the Commission we see similar developments. How do you explain this?
M. Haliti: The recent political developments in the European Parliament and the European Commission are concerning, particularly regarding Roma representation and the rise of anti-Roma sentiment. Here are several factors that might explain these trends:
1. Rise of Nationalist and Populist Movements: Across Europe, nationalist and populist parties have been gaining traction. These parties often employ anti-Roma rhetoric as part of broader exclusionary and xenophobic agendas. Their increasing influence is reflected in the composition of the European Parliament.
2. Electoral Shifts: The disappearance of Roma representatives from the European Parliament indicates a broader shift in electoral dynamics. It suggests that the political support for Roma candidates and parties that advocate for minority rights has weakened, possibly due to changing voter priorities or strategies.
3. Institutional Changes and Priorities: The removal of Dan Doghi from his position in the European Commission points to a shift in institutional priorities. It may reflect a deprioritization of Roma inclusion strategies within the Commission, possibly due to changes in leadership or policy focus.
4. Systemic Racism and Discrimination: The consistent underrepresentation of Roma and the rise of anti-Roma politicians highlight persistent systemic racism and discrimination within European political structures. These issues are deeply entrenched and reflect broader societal prejudices that influence political outcomes.
5. Political Apathy: There may be a general apathy towards Roma issues among mainstream politicians and the electorate. This apathy can result in a lack of political will to address Roma inclusion, leading to the marginalization of Roma voices in political discourse and decision- making processes.
6. Fragmentation of Advocacy: The fragmentation of Roma advocacy efforts can also play a role. Without a unified and strong advocacy front, it becomes challenging to maintain political pressure and visibility for Roma issues.
Summary, the exclusion of Roma representatives from the European Parliament and the European Commission, coupled with the rise of anti-Roma sentiment, is a multifaceted issue. It reflects broader trends of nationalism and populism, systemic discrimination, shifting political priorities, and fragmented advocacy efforts. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort to combat racism, promote inclusive policies, and strengthen Roma representation at all levels of governance.
O. Tahir: During the debate on the election of the new president of the European Commission, Ms Ursula von der Leyen did not mention Roma even once in her speech. Not a single MEP asked her what happened to the Roma inclusion strategies and what she intends to do about it in her next mandate. Why is the Roma issue a taboo in Brussels?
M. Haliti: The absence of any mention of Roma issues during the debate on the election of Ursula von der Leyen as the new president of the European Commission is troubling and indicative of deeper systemic issues. Possible explanations for why Roma issues remain a taboo in Brussels:
1. Political Expediency: Politicians often avoid topics that they perceive as politically risky or unpopular. Advocating for Roma inclusion might not be seen as a vote-winner, leading politicians to sidestep the issue in favor of other topics that garner broader support.
2. Deep-Seated Prejudices: Societal prejudices against Roma communities are widespread and persistent across Europe. These biases can influence political agendas and make it less likely for politicians to prioritize or even address Roma issues, fearing a potential backlash from constituents.
3. Competing Priorities: The European Union faces numerous significant challenges, such as economic recovery, climate change, and migration. In this context, minority issues, including Roma , may be deprioritized, not because they are unimportant, but because they are perceived as less immediately pressing.
4. Lack of Advocacy: Effective advocacy for Roma issues requires strong, vocal support from within the political sphere. The absence of Roma representatives and advocates in key positions means there are fewer voices pushing these issues into the political spotlight.
5. Institutional Inertia: Bureaucratic institutions often resist change. Shifting focus to Roma inclusion would require significant effort and reallocation of resources, which can be challenging without substantial internal and external pressure.
6. Fragmentation of Roma Advocacy: The Roma advocacy landscape is often fragmented, with various organizations focusing on different regions or issues. This fragmentation can dilute the overall impact and visibility of advocacy efforts, making it harder to bring these issues to the forefront in political debates.
7. Media Influence: Media coverage plays a crucial role in shaping public and political discourse. The lack of substantial media attention on Roma issues means they receive less public scrutiny, reducing the pressure on politicians to address them.
Summary, the Roma issue remains a taboo in Brussels due to a combination of political expediency, societal prejudices, competing priorities, lack of strong advocacy, institutional inertia, fragmented advocacy efforts, and insufficient media attention. Addressing this requires a concerted effort to elevate Roma voices, prioritize their issues, and ensure sustained advocacy at all levels of the political and social spectrum.
O. Tahir: Organisations with the words ’Roma’ and ’Europe’/’European’ in their name are keeping quiet about the situation of the Roma in the EU, and the developments in Brussels. Instead, they focus on the Western Balkans and Ukraine outside the EU. These organizations claim to fight anti-Gypsyism in the European Union but give no example. What is wrong with the European Roma organizations?
M. Haliti: The apparent silence of organizations with ’Roma’ and ’Europe’ or ’European’ in their names regarding the situation of Roma in the EU, while they focus on issues outside the EU, raises several concerns:
1. Misalignment of Priorities: The focus of these organizations on the Western Balkans and Ukraine, rather than pressing issues within the EU, suggests a misalignment of priorities. This could indicate a strategic decision to address more visible or urgent problems, but it risks neglecting the ongoing and evolving challenges faced by Roma within the EU itself.
2. Lack of Accountability: When organizations claim to fight antigypsyism at the European level but fail to address issues at the Brussels level, it reflects a lack of accountability. They are not practicing what they preach, which undermines their credibility and effectiveness. It suggests a gap between their stated mission and their actual actions.
3. Fragmented Efforts: The fragmentation within Roma advocacy can lead to a lack of coherent strategy and impact. If organizations are not aligning their efforts or setting examples, it weakens the overall effectiveness of the fight against antigypsyism. Coordinated action is essential for meaningful progress.
4. Resource Allocation: There might be a disparity in how resources are allocated. If organizations receive funding for combating antigypsyism but do not apply these resources effectively within the EU, it questions their operational efficiency and commitment to their mission.
5. Visibility and Influence: The lack of visibility and influence at the Brussels level could also mean that these organizations are not leveraging their position to advocate for Roma issues effectively. This lack of engagement at high levels of decision-making can result in missed opportunities for policy change and advocacy.
6. Internal and External Pressures: Organizations might face internal challenges, such as leadership issues or strategic disagreements, as well as external pressures, such as political or funding constraints. These factors can affect their focus and ability to address EU-based Roma issues.
Summary, the silence of European Roma organizations on Roma issues within the EU, while focusing on external regions, highlights a misalignment of priorities, lack of accountability, fragmented efforts, and possible resource allocation issues. Addressing these challenges requires a realignment of focus, greater transparency, and more strategic action to ensure that Roma issues within the EU receive the attention and resources they need.
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