A Step Back in Roma Inclusion: EU Roma Platform Fails to Address Rising Challenges

A Step Back in Roma Inclusion: EU Roma Platform Fails to Address Rising Challenges

This week, we marked a challenging moment in our ongoing battle for Roma inclusion at the EU Roma Platform in Brussels. The Platform was held for the 17th time, with various stakeholders committed to advancing the Roma agenda, including representatives from EU institutions, national governments, local authorities, and civil society organisations, many of them Roma. The Platform marked a sobering moment for the fight for Roma inclusion in Europe. Despite years of effort, this year’s event underscored growing political apathy and a lack of meaningful engagement from high-level officials. As antigypsyism intensifies across Europe, the absence of a strong institutional support is more glaring than ever. 

ERGO Network organised a preparatory meeting involving Roma and pro-Roma civil society representatives—a practice that had proven effective in the past. Unfortunately, few could attend it due to travel arrangements, despite our prior agreement with the Platform organisers. Although we negotiated for early arrivals, only those who received advance notice from us could arrange their travel and participate. During our preparations, we tackled the complex issue of territorial planning, which presents challenges from multiple perspectives. We expressed concerns about the current political landscape, particularly regarding the nomination of new commissioners and the lack of emphasis on equality in the forthcoming political agenda. This oversight will likely have consequences for the Roma community. For instance, since 2020, the Roma Unit has lost two positions, leaving gaps in leadership and program management. Yet there has been no clear communication from the European Commission on whether these roles will be reinstated or permanently eliminated. 

Reflecting on the 17th EU Roma Platform, I feel nostalgic about the first Platform I organised on behalf of the Czech government in partnership with the European Commission in Prague, the energy and hope it had. It feels like a lifetime ago. High-ranking officials were present, with the Commissioners and ministers attending, there was a tangible sense of commitment from the EU. Many of the following Plantforms had them too. This time, the former Commissioner Dalli sent a video message, and Commissioner Jourova could join us online, but it feels like we are watching those doors slowly close, leaving Roma civil society to bear the brunt of the fight alone. The absence of other high-ranking officials is not sending a good signal about political support for this agenda in general. 

Hungary holds the EU presidency, even though it has not cooperated on the agenda. In a move seen as a symbolic affront, they sent a State Secretary closely associated with Prime Minister Orban’s regime. Sztojka’s presence, despite his Roma heritage, underscored a deeper issue—the co-opting of Roma identity by governments that actively undermine Roma rights and a reflection of the systemic abuses perpetuated by Orban’s government, including widespread corruption, anti-Roma discrimination, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, refugee rights violations, and democratic backsliding. Adding to the days’s tensions, civil society staged a small protest. When Sztojka raised a point about the need for unity within our community, not making our representation political, some of us raised red cards to show our disagreement. To argue that we did this in response to him speaking in Romanes would be a misunderstanding of his political stance. We must be clear: we cannot support those representing a government that undermines our rights. Which brings us to a crucial question: Can Roma criticise other Roma? I have faced criticism, often from within my community, though I believe my integrity has remained intact. I left the Czech government when it became clear that there was no political support for my work, and that I would merely be a puppet. 

In contrast, Lucie Fukova, the Czech Commissioner for Roma, did not face such backlash; her speech was encouraging and supported our joint fight against antigypsyism. We know Lucie is hardworking and investing all her efforts in advancing Roma rights in Czechia. And I believe having Roma voices represented at panels related to Roma issues and even beyond is essential. We should acknowledge and appreciate the presence of Roma representatives in governmental positions, especially in a climate where accountability is sorely lacking and anti-NGO and anti-Roma legislation is being enacted. But we should then also acknowledge the rise of Roma populism and those countries that are standing against it. Unfortunately, the divisions among Roma mirror those in the broader society. We often struggle to unite in support of one another simply because we are not a homogenous community. Disagreements are natural; even within political parties, where shared ideologies connect individuals, there can be significant rifts and public disputes. 

As we confront the rising tide of antigypsyism and the growing influence of far-right movements within European governments, we must recognise the urgency of our situation. The absence of Roma representatives in the European Parliament highlights the need for institutions like the European Commission to understand these pressing issues and to take decisive action. We need to ensure that they act sensitively and support Roma empowerment, and this is not currently reflected in the Roma Platform: ironically, the first thematic panel did not have a single Roma speaker, further emphasising our marginalisation. 

We are in this struggle alone! How should we support each other? How can we encourage more Romani individuals to step into the political arena and serve as examples of genuine commitment to supporting Roma rights? As we reflect on this year’s Platform and grapple with these questions, we must not lose sight of the progress we have made, nor the potential for change that still exists. We, as Roma civil society, must strive to build stronger alliances, both within and outside our community, to ensure that our rights are not further eroded by political apathy.  

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A Step Back in Roma Inclusion: EU Roma Platform Fails to Address Rising Challenges – ERGO Network