EU Statement on the International Roma Day 2026, celebrated on 8 April

EU Statement on the International Roma Day 2026, celebrated on 8 April

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU and its Member States.

2. Protecting and promoting the enjoyment of human rights of the estimated 10-12 million Roma and Travellers in the Council of Europe Member States, of which an estimated 6 million within the borders of EU Member States, remains a pressing human rights issue on our continent. Europe's largest minority continues to face multiple barriers to education, health, employment, housing and political participation due to systemic discrimination and antigypsyism.

3. In line with the EU Roma Strategic Framework for equality, inclusion and participation 2020-2030, the EU and its Member States reaffirm their commitment to the elimination of inequalities and discrimination, the fight against poverty and social exclusion, combating antigypsyism, and the strengthening of economic, social and territorial cohesion. We stress the importance of the longstanding cooperation on Roma issues between intergovernmental organisations, in particular between the Council of Europe and OSCE.

4. We commend the new Council of Europe strategy for Roma and Traveller inclusion 2026-2030 and its strong gender equality and youth perspective focus. Roma women and girls and youth are key agents of change and must be empowered to participate in public and political life to the full extent. We commit ourselves to implementing Recommendation CM/Rec(2024)1 of the Committee of Ministers on equality of Roma and Traveller women and girls, and Recommendation CM/Rec(2023)4 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on Roma youth Participation.

5. We must deal with the structural and institutional obstacles to the enjoyment of human rights by persons belonging to the Roma and Traveller communities. Various Council of Europe bodies and entities can contribute meaningfully and complement each other to this end. Implementation of the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights is essential. Furthermore, we closely follow the tangible impact of programmes such as Roma Integration III. We also commend the Commissioner for Human Rights for prioritizing work on the human rights of Roma and Travellers.

6. History has shown that the first victims of declining democracies are persons belonging to minorities, such as the Roma. Remembering and accurately teaching about history of Roma and Travellers is essential, including Roma Holocaust Remembrance.

7. On International Roma Day, we recall the immense potential and strength inherent in Roma and Traveller communities. In this regard, advancing civic and political participation among Roma and Travellers remains essential.

   The following countries aligned with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, the United Kingdom and Ukraine.