Name Title and Organisation:

E-mail address:                  

  Declaration against Anti-Gypsyism San Rossore, Italy 10-11th of July 2008 We, the undersigned, noting that Anti-Gypsyism continues to be a widespread, accepted and mostly unpunished form of racism in Europe. - decry repeated reports of public statements provoking anti-Romani sentiment by high-ranking Italian public officials, - decry the fact that the Italian government described in its orders Roma as the cause that "determined a situation of serious social alarm, with possible serious repercussions on public order and security" of the rest of the population, justifying a 12 months "state of emergency" in which extraordinary measures in derogation of laws can be taken by Prefects, - ask the Italian authorities to refrain from conducting a census that includes the possibility of fingerprinting Roma and Roma minors, as this is in contradiction with the prohibition of direct and indirect discrimination foreseen in the EU directive on race and ethnicity, while a further discrimination between Roma and other citizens is enacted as the latter do not have to undergo similar procedures, - urge Italian authorities to undertake without delay extensive measures to calm inflamed anti-Romani sentiment in Italy and to make clear its commitment to the promotion of a vibrant multi-cultural society in Italy, as well as to reaffirm publicly its resolve in the struggle against all forms of racism, - urge that, without delay, Italian authorities make public detailed information as to persons brought to justice for the serial racially motivated attacks occurring on Romani persons and communities since April 2008, - ask the Commission and the Council to make sure that Member States apply EU law consistently and fully, and to take the necessary measures in cases of infringement, - call on the Fundamental Rights Agency to advise the Union institutions as to the legality of these new measures undertaken by the Italian government - ask the Commission and the Council to further strengthen the EU policies on Roma by launching a comprehensive long term EU Roma Strategy