#GFoD – ERGO Network

GFoD Report on Roma Settlements

Substandard Romani settlements across Europe: Environmental racism and disinvestment

We are happy to showcase the work of our partners in the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated based on Work and Descend. It sheds light on
the situation of Roma living in substandard Romani settlements, which can take different forms such as slums, shanty towns, ghettos, squats, dwellers, etc.

This report aims to illustrate some of the key challenges and living conduction in such sub substandard Roma settlements across Europe and raise awareness of the slow violence of state disinvestment towards such communities.

This report has been coordinated by Simona Torotcoi (GFoD, Romania), with the collaboration of Fatos Kaytan (Romani Godi Association, Turkey), Slobodan Stankovic (Central European University, Serbia) and Albert Memeti (Romalitico Institute for Policy Analysis, N. Macedonia).

Download full report here

Discrimination based on Work and Descent (DWD) affects more than
270 million people worldwide. Communities Discriminated on Work
and Descent (CDWD) can be found on all continents: Dalit communities
in South Asia and Buraku in Japan, Roma communities in Europe,
Haratin, Osu and other communities in West Africa and Quilombola or
Palenque communities in Latin America.

DWD is a unique form of discrimination characterized by social exclusion based on inherited status and ancestral occupation. Rooted in notions of “purity and pollution,” DWD often manifests in practices of untouchability and systemic marginalization. As a result, CDWD face daily harassment, violence, and extreme discrimination in accessing fundamental rights such as employment, education, healthcare, and housing.

Imagine being denied the opportunity to live in a preferred neighbourhood solely because of social stigma linked to your identity. For CDWD identity-based groups, this scenario is not just hypothetical but a grim reality. Forced into separate settlements away from mainstream communities, CDWD individuals endure systemic segregation and deprivation.

The concept of “purity pollution” perpetuates the marginalisation of CDWD communities, relegating them to isolated areas devoid of essential services. Roma communities in Europe often inhabit suburban settlements lacking basic amenities like water and sanitation. Similarly, Quilombos in Latin America are secluded in remote mountainous regions with limited state support.

Spatial segregation extends beyond physical separation, encompassing social distancing and systemic barriers. CDWD individuals are often barred from using the same roads and facilities as dominant populations, further entrenching their marginalization.

Scholarly research, such as Picker’s analysis of Roma segregation in European cities and Vincze’s exploration of marginal urban housing areas, sheds light on the mechanisms perpetuating CDWD exclusion. However, many studies have historically “blamed the victim” instead of addressing systemic inequities.

This report delves into the plight of Roma communities residing in substandard settlements across Europe, highlighting the egregious forms of discrimination they endure. From slums and shanty towns to ghettos and squats, these settlements epitomize the slow violence of state disinvestment.

By raising awareness of the challenges faced by CDWD communities, this report advocates for systemic change to dismantle discriminatory structures and uphold the rights of all individuals, regardless of their descent or occupation.

Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (GFoD)

Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (GFoD) is the global coordination and engagement mechanism for the Stakeholder Group of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (SG CDWD). Both were founded in 2021 and formally recognise the core motto of ‘Leave No One Behind’ propounded by Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which ensures Planet, Peace and Prosperity for all, especially those who are marginalized through generations and suffered social prejudices for life of dignity and peace.

Catalysing Change: Advocacy for Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent at the United Nations

In September 2023 rights expert Simona Torotcoi represented ERGO Network within the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent delegation during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which included the SDG Action Weekend and the SDG Summit 2023.

Discrimination based on work and descent is any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference based on inherited status such as caste, including present or ancestral occupation, family, community or social origin, name, birthplace, place of residence, dialect and accent that has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment, or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, or any other field of public life. This type of discrimination is typically associated with the notion of purity and pollution and practices of untouchability, and is deeply rooted in societies and cultures where this discrimination is practised” (Draft Principles and Guidelines for the Effective Elimination of Discrimination based on Work and Descent, Human Rights Council 11^th Session, 18 May 2009)

The SDG Action Weekend provided opportunities for stakeholders, UN entities, and Member States to convene at the United Nations Headquarters and make specific commitments to drive SDG transformation from now until 2030. On September 16, speaking at “Breaking Down the Barriers to Leave No One Behind” GFoD delegate Beena Pallical emphasized the importance of the UN and member states embracing the SDGs, particularly addressing communities discriminated against based on work and descent, including Dalits, Roma, and other marginalised groups.

During the “From the SDG Summit to the Summit of the Future: Building the UN We Need” session, Paul Divakar, the convener of GFoD, stressed the significance of combating discrimination and exclusion of communities such as the Roma in Europe, Haratins in Africa, Quilambola in Brazil, Buraku in Japan, and other marginalised communities.

Simona Torotcoi, representing ERGO Network and GFoD, spoke at the Minority Rights Group International side event, “Invisible No Longer: Data Solutions to Leaving No One Behind Dilemmas.”

She addressed the critical issue of the lack of disaggregated data for Roma and other Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent, which affects the implementation and reporting of SDGs and ongoing policy work within the European Union related to Roma communities.

Disaggregated data is essential for understanding inequalities and evaluating progress in Roma inclusion policies. It empowers decision-makers, holds civil society accountable, and enables communities to advocate for changes in policies directly affecting them. Simona stressed the importance of engaging Roma communities in data collection, analysis, and usage, moving beyond formal consultations.

On the 20th of September, GFoD organised a side event titled “Broad-Caste” A light on Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent at the SDG midpoint & beyond. It brought together key governmental representatives, such as the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal Mr N. P Saud, who pointed out the fact that the SDGs do not mention discrimination based on work and descent and this poses significant challenges to achieving the SDGs agenda: “The world cannot move towards peaceful and inclusive societies and achieve the 2030 Agenda without addressing the root causes of discrimination which more than 270 million people”.

The Minister emphasized that this discrimination affects more than 270 million people globally, extending beyond specific geographical areas and impacting communities like Haratine in the Sahel, Forgeron in West Africa, Roma in Europe, Burakumin in Japan, Dalits in South Asia, Quilambolo and Palenque in South America, and others.

To address these shortcomings and rectify the omission of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD) in key UN frameworks, the Minister expressed full support for GFoD’s efforts to work toward a UN Resolution addressing the discrimination faced by these communities. Nepal also expressed readiness to collaborate with concerned stakeholders.

The following day, GFoD co-organised another side event in partnership with UNDP, UNFPA, UNWomen, and Minority Rights International, titled “Anti-racism in UN Programming” (recorded). This event focused on what UN agencies can and should do to combat racism and include minorities in their policies and programs. Simona discussed the intersectional discrimination and oppression experienced by women from Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD), stemming from overlapping social constructs of ability, age, work, caste, class, and gender.

She urged the UN and its agencies to recognise the challenges faced by women from CDWD communities and adopt an intersectional approach in all programmes and policies, both within the United Nations and in their external programs. Simona also proposed establishing a working group to examine the normative standards and lived realities related to the protection of women from CDWS.

Roma rights experts take part in the UN Commission

GFoD and ERGO Network Roma rights experts take part in the UN Commission for Social Development session

The 61st United Nations Commission for Social Development session took place on 6-15 February. The priority theme this year was “Creating full and productive employment and decent work for all as a way of overcoming inequalities to accelerate the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.

The Roma rights expert Brisilda Taco draw attention to the recent data of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights on Roma employment in the EU during the side event “Overcoming the barriers of full and productive employment focusing on social hierarchical discriminatory practices based on work and descent” organized by the Inclusivity Project and Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (GFoD).

Her main points raised in the presentation were the following:

58% of Roma aged 20 to 64 were not in paid work in 2021
56% of the surveyed Roma aged 16–24 were NEET in 2021
discrimination experiences in employment doubled on average between 2016 and 2021, with very third of Roma older than 16 experiencing discrimination due to being Roma when looking for work in the last 12 months

Brisilda also emphasized the challenges Roma throughout the EU and Western Balkans encounter in accessing decent jobs including:

Lack of vocational training
Skills mismatch and over education
Lack of professional capacities and appropriate education
No information on employment programs
Discrimination at work
Lack of urban transport in/to some Roma settlements
Underpaid jobs exacerbating inequalities
Exploitation by employers

To know more, you can read the full presentation here.