Strasbourg, 12 September 2011CAHROM (2011)21prov

 

 

AD HOC COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON ROMA ISSUES

(CAHROM)

 

1st Bureau meeting

 

Strasbourg, ,7 September 2011

 

 

MEETING REPORT

 

 

Opening

 

  1.               The Bureau of the Ad hoc Committee of Experts on Roma Issues (CAHROM) held its first meeting in Strasbourg on 7 September 2011.

 

  1.               The meeting was attended by the Chair of the CAHROM, Mrs Mabera Kamberi (“the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”), the Vice-Chair, Mr Ian Naysmith (United Kingdom), the 3rd Bureau member, Mr Nicolae Radiţa (Moldova), as well as by Mr Jeroen Schokkenbroek, Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) for Roma Issues, Mr Sixto Molina, Head of the Support Team of the SRSG and Mr Michael Guet, Secretary of the CAHROM.

 

  1.               The SRSG for Roma Issuess opened the meeting and introduced Roma-related recent developments at the Council of Europe since the 1st CAHROM meeting, as well as forthcoming events. His presentation can be summarized as follows::

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 4th International Congress gathering Roma women from all Council of Europe member states, with additional participation from Latin America, North Africa and the Middle East, organised in co-operation between the Council of Europe and the Spanish Ministry of Social Affairs, will take place in Granada, Spain, on 24-25 October 2011. Roma women will address issues affecting their full access to human rights such as gender inequalities, early marriages and forced sterilisation.

 

 

On 22 March 2011, during its 20th session in Strasbourg, the Congress held a current affairs’ debate on the situation of Roma: a challenge for local and regional authorities. The Congress’ Current Affairs Committee, meeting in Strasbourg on 23 March 2011, decided to prepare a report on the situation of Roma, with specific recommendations addressed to both local and regional authorities and national governments on ways of promoting and improving Roma integration. The report is scheduled to be prepared for debate by the Congress during its 21st session in October 2011.

 

On 22 September, a Summit of Mayors on Roma Issues under the theme “Building mutual trust at the grassroots” was organised in Strasbourg by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in co-operation with the SRSG for Roma Issues and in partnership with the City of Strasbourg and the Strasbourg Club municipal network. This Summit brought together representatives of municipalities, regions and networks actively addressing the situation of Roma or interested in becoming involved, Roma organisations and elected representatives, as well as other institutions concerned with this situation. A Declaration was adopted at the Summit and is available on the websites of the Congress and the SRSG Support Team for Roma Issues. A tangible result is the decision to create an Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion, as a key tool for increasing local and regional capacities in this area.

 

  1.               proposed that the previous Chair of the predecessor Committee, the MG-S-ROM, act as Chair ad interim of the CAHROM pending elections of the new Bureau. This proposal was accepted by the Committee.

 

 

Adoption of the agenda

 

  1.               The agenda [CAHROM(2011)3] was adopted by the Committee (see Appendix 1).

 

Election of the Bureau (Chair, Vice-Chair, Bureau member)

 

Follow-up of the High level meeting on Roma: recent developments at the level of the Council of Europe

 

  1.               The Committee took note of the presentation made by the SRSG for Roma Issues, about recent developments at the Council of Europe as a follow-up of the High Level Meeting and the adoption of the Strasbourg Declaration on 20 October 2010, in particular the new transversal approach within the Council of Europe and various projects and activities, including the ROMED programme for mediators, the setting up of a database of policies and good practices, the Dosta! awareness-raising campaign against prejudice and stereotypes towards Roma, lawyers’ training and Roma women empowerment activities.

 

  1.               The Committee took note of the presentation about the ROMED training programme for (Roma) mediators made by Mrs Aurora Ailincai from the Directorate General of Education, Culture and Heritage, Youth and Sports and who works as a project leader for the Support Team of the SRSG.

 

 

Role, working methods and priorities of the CAHROM

 

  1.               The Secretariat  made introductory comments about the role of the CAHROM notably recalling the Terms of Reference of the CAHROM adopted by the Committee of Ministers’ Deputies on 16 February 2011 which makes the Committee directly answerable to the Committee of Ministers. He underlined that the CAHROM should give space on its agenda for thematic exchanges of experience and good practices, as well as analysis of the implementation of policies in order to draw conclusions about lessons learnt that will be of benefit to other member states. While the Committee can prepare new standards (such as recommendations) and draft opinions, the Terms of Reference place priority emphasis on analysis and evaluation of the implementation of national policies in light of international standards, and in particular those developed by the Council of Europe, without pursuing activities relating to monitoring.

 

  1.               In the ensuing discussion about its future role, working methods and priorities, the Chair requested Committee members to orally indicate whether they had adopted a national programme/strategy/action plan for Roma and whether they are currently developing or revising these documents. Most of the member states present took the floor to present recent developments in this area.

 

  1.           In order for the Bureau members to make further proposals to the Committee regarding working methods and prepare the next meeting agenda, the Committee was requested by the Chair to provide the Secretariat with answers to the three following questions by 30 April 2011:

 

  1. What are the specific thematic areas and types of policy measures about which CAHROM members would like to get more knowledge and experience from other countries?
  2. Do member states have experience/good practices to offer regarding specific thematic areas and policy measures?
  3. Could CAHROM participants (national members, international organisations, observers) indicate if they are aware of forthcoming international or regional events that will specifically address specific thematic areas (to avoid duplication)?

 

  1.           Ensuring coordination between various initiatives (EU Roma platform, Decade of Roma Inclusion, EURoma network, etc.) was seen by the Committee as particularly important.

 

  1.           The SRSG informed the Committee about the possibility for a small number of CAHROM members having particular experience in the field of Roma education to participate in a small-scale workshop to be organised in Strasbourg [date to be fixed] on effective strategies and measures to prevent or end segregation in education. The Steering Committee on Education would also be invited to designate three experts. Mr. Jan Hero (Slovakia) proposed himself.

 

  1.           The Committee decided to grant observer status to Amnesty International, which will be invited as from the next CAHROM meeting.

 

Thematic exchange of experience on (Roma) mediators

 

  1.           The Committee took note of the information provided by Mr Detlev Rein (Germany), Mrs Louiza Kyriakaki (Greece) and Mr Ljuan Koka (Serbia) about their respective models for mediators. In his presentation, Mr. Rein shared his views concerning some of the most frequent questions concerning mediators, highlighting the need to take into consideration differences between legal and institutional systems, as well as the diversity of Romani communities and Romani language variants spoken. Mrs Kyriakaki described the model of social medical centres which employ Roma mediators and emphasized the locally-based approach. Mr. Koka, following a general introduction to the Roma policy and structures in place in Serbia, provided information about the institutionalisation of Roma health mediators and pedagogical assistants, including quantitative results of their work.

 

  1.           These presentations were followed by a series of questions and answers related to the criteria for recruiting mediators (in particular the level of education of mediators, the gender aspect, their experience working with Roma communities and their capacity to speak the Romani language), as well as to the reaction from the majority population towards the practice of mediators.

 

Thematic exchange of experience on employment policies

 

  1.           The Committee took note of the information provided by Mr Martin Martinek (Czech Republic), Mr. Valentin Mocanu (Romania) and Mrs Maria Dolores Ruiz Bautista (Spain) about their respective models for mediators. These presentations were followed by a lively discussion which will be reflected in the full meeting report.

 

Opinion on PACE Recommendation 1941 (2010) on Roma asylum seekers in Europe

 

  1.           The report by PACE Rapporteur Mr. Milorad Pupovac, Recommendation 1941 (2010) and Resolution 1768 (2010) were introduced by Mrs Isild Heurtin from the Secretariat of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population.

 

  1.           The Secretariat introduced a draft Opinion based on comments submitted by member states, international organisations, MG-S-ROM previous opinions, conclusions of relevant international or regional conferences.

 

  1.           The Committee adopted an Opinion on PACE Recommendation 1941 (2010) on Roma asylum seekers in Europe (see Appendix II).

 

Topical issues, recent developments and upcoming events

 

  1.           The Committee took note of the information provided by Mrs Rita Izsák, Hungarian EU Council Presidency, on the elaboration of a EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies.

 

  1.           The CAHROM took note of the presentation by the Hungarian EC Council Presidency about the elaboration of a EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies. The CAHROM welcomed the plans of the Hungarian EU Presidency and encouraged the Presidency and the European Union member states to ensure that the relevant EU Council conclusions to be adopted before the summer will duly reflect the relevance of the standards and activities of the Council of Europe on Roma issues; refer to the CoE High Level meeting on Roma of 20 October 2010 and the Strasbourg Declaration adopted on that occasion, and highlight the importance of cooperation between international organisations and the avoidance of duplication of activities, in supporting member states' efforts to enhance the social integration of Roma.

 

  1.           The Committee took note of information provided by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), in particular concerning the forthcoming ECRI General Policy Recommendation on Anti-Gypsyism. An exchange of views between ECRI and CAHROM could be envisaged, notably on the issue of good practices.

 

  1.           The Committee took note of the statement by Mr John Warmisham, Rapporteur for Roma Issues at the Congress for Local and Regional Authorities.

 

Arrangements for the next meeting and adoption of the list of decisions

 

  1.           The Committee took note of the invitation of the Turkish authorities to hold the 2nd CAHROM meeting, in Istanbul (3 days). A one-day field visit to Edirne might also be organised. The meeting should take place at the end of October or early November 2011 (exact dates will be fixed at a later stage).

 

  1.           The Committee adopted this list of decisions.

 

 

 


Appendix 1

 


Strasbourg, 28 March 2011CAHROM (2011)3

 

 

AD HOC COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON ROMA ISSUES

(CAHROM)

 

1st meeting

 

Room 5, Palais de l’Europe, Strasbourg

30-31 March 2011

 

 

ANNOTATED AGENDA

 

 

Wednesday, 30 March 2011

 

 

9h30-10h00Registration of participants

 

10h00-10h10 OPENING OF THE 1st CAHROM MEETING

Arrangements for chairing the meeting pending the election of the chairperson

 

10h10-10h15

  1.                 ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

[CAHROM(2011)3 Annotated agenda]

 

10h15-10h30

  1.              ELECTION OF THE BUREAU (Chair, Vice-Chair, Bureau member)

[Resolution Res(2005)47 on committees and subordinate bodies, their terms of reference and working methods]

Presentation of the procedure by the Secretariat

(Note: it is proposed to resume this item at 14h15 for the actual elections)

 

10h30-11h15

  1. FOLLOW-UP OF THE HIGH LEVEL MEETING ON ROMA: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AT THE LEVEL OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

[Strasbourg Declaration; ROMED leaflet]

 

  1. Presentation by Mr Jeroen Schokkenbroek, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe for Roma Issues
  2. Questions and answers

 

11h15-11h45Coffee break

 

11h45-12h45

  1. ROLE, WORKING METHODS AND PRIORITIES OF THE CAHROM

[CAHROM (2011)1 Terms of Reference; Amnesty International’s written request to be granted observer status in CAHROM]

 

  1. Introduction by Mr Jeroen Schokkenbroek, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe for Roma Issues
  2. Discussion about CAHROM’s future role, working methods and priorities
  3. Decision of the Committee regarding Amnesty International’s request to be granted an observer status
  4. Conclusions

 

12h45-14h15Lunch break

 

14h15-14h45

(CONTINUATION of ITEM II. - ELECTION OF THE BUREAU)

[Resolution Res(2005)47 on committees and subordinate bodies, their terms of reference and working methods]

  1. Announcement of the candidates for election by the Secretariat
  2. Election of a Chair
  3. Election of a Vice-Chair
  4. Election of the third Bureau member

 

14h45-18h00

  1. THEMATIC EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCE ON (ROMA) MEDIATORS

[CAHROM (2011)4 prov Replies to the questionnaire on (Roma) mediators; CAHROM (2011)5 Accompanying documents from countries making a presentation; Other accompanying documents from the Council of Europe]

 

  1. Presentation (15 minutes) on the German experience
  2. Questions and answers (15 minutes)

 

  1. Presentation (15 minutes) on the Greek experience
  2. Questions and answers (15 minutes)

 

  1. Presentation (15 minutes) on the Serbian experience
  2. Questions and answers (15 minutes)

 

Coffee break

 

  1. General discussion and concluding remarks on lessons learnt

 

**********

 

Thursday, 31 March 2011

 

9h00-12h00

  1. THEMATIC EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCE ON EMPLOYMENT POLICIES

[CAHROM (2011)7 Final Implementation Report of CM Recommendation (2001)17 on improving the economic and employment situation of Roma/Gypsies and Travellers in Europe; CAHROM (2011)6 Accompanying documents from countries making a presentation; Other accompanying documents from the Council of Europe]

 

  1. Presentation (15 minutes) on the Czech experience
  2. Questions and answers (15 minutes)

 

  1. Presentation (15 minutes) on the Romanian experience
  2. Questions and answers (15 minutes)

 

  1. Presentation (15 minutes) on the Spanish experience
  2. Questions and answers (15 minutes)

 

Coffee break

 

  1. General discussion and concluding remarks on lessons learnt

 

12h00-13h00

 

  1. OPINION ON PACE RECOMMENDATION 1941 (2010) ON ROMA ASYLUM SEEKERS IN EUROPE

[PACE report on Roma Asylum Seekers in Europe; PACE Recommendation (1941) 2010; PACE Resolution 1768 (2010); CAHROM (2011)8 prov Draft Opinion on PACE Recommendation (1941)2010; CAHROM (2011)9 Comments received on PACE Recommendation (1941)2010; Other documents distributed by participants]

 

  1. Introduction of the report by PACE Rapporteur Mr. Milorad Pupovac, Recommendation 1941 (2010) and Resolution 1768 (2010) by Mrs Isild Heurtin from the Secretariat of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population
  2. Introduction by the Chair and/or Secretariat of a draft Opinion based on written comments received
  3. Discussion
  4. Conclusions and adoption of the CAHROM Opinion on PACE Recommendation 1941 (2010)

 

13h00-14h30Lunch break

 

14h30-16h00

  1. TOPICAL ISSUES, RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

[CAHROM (2011)11 prov Written contributions submitted by participants]

 

  1. Current developments at the EU level related to Roma
  1. Elaboration by the EU of a European framework for national Roma strategies: presentation by Mrs Rita Izsák, Hungarian EU Council Presidency
    1. Discussion

 

  1. Topical issues, other recent developments and upcoming events
    1. Statements by CAHROM participants at their prior request
    1. Discussion

 

16h00-16h30Coffee break

 

16h30-17h00

  1. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEXT MEETING AND ADOPTION OF THE LIST OF DECISIONS

[CAHROM (2011)10 prov Draft list of decisions of 1st CAHROM meeting]

 

  1. Arrangements for the next meeting – Information from the Turkish CAHROM member(s)
  2. Presentation of the draft list of decisions by the Secretariat
  3. Adoption of the list of decisions

 

17h00Close of the 1st CAHROM meeting

 

**********


Appendix 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strasbourg, 31 March 2011

CAHROM (2011)8

 

 

 

 

AD HOC COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON ROMA ISSUES

(CAHROM)

 

__________

 

 

Final Opinion by

the Ad hoc Committee of Experts on Roma Issues (CAHROM)

on Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1941 (2010) on Roma Asylum Seekers in Europe [and PACE related Resolution 1768 (2010)]

 

__________

 

 

  1. The CAHROM takes note of the Parliamentary Assembly’s Recommendation 1941 (2010) on Roma Asylum Seekers in Europe.

 

  1. The CAHROM notes the concerns expressed by the Parliamentary Assembly about situations “where Roma are the target of racist violence, which is a factor that forces many Roma to flee their home country and seek protection abroad”. The CAHROM is also deeply concerned by racist violence targeted against Roma and the integration problems that this raises. The CAHROM urges the relevant authorities to take resolute action to address this.

 

  1. As concerns the particular situation of Roma asylum seekers from Kosovo[3], the CAHROM reiterates Opinions adopted by its predecessor Committee – the MG-S-ROM – which it generally considers as still relevant, namely the Opinion on Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1633 (2003) on forced returns of Roma from the Former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, including  Kosovo, to Serbia and Montenegro from Council of Europe member states, the Opinion on Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1708 (2005) on the current situation in Kosovo, the Updated Opinion on the return of Roma to Kosovo and South Eastern Europe (2009) and the Opinion on PACE Recommendation 1889 (2009) on Improving the quality and consistency of asylum decisions in the Council of Europe member states (2010).

 

  1. Regarding the specific proposal made in paragraph 6.1 of PACE Recommendation 1941 (2010), i.e. to examine measures necessary to create durable solutions for Roma from Kosovo, the CAHROM will endeavour - its overall priorities and workload permitting - to take up this matter at one of its next meetings taking into consideration recent developments, as well as national practices (including on the basis of EU rules) concerning Roma asylum seekers and returnees to Kosovo. A number of written contributions on the subject have already been submitted to the Committee.

 

 


[1] All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.

[2] www.dosta.org

[3] All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.