(Hina) – The International Roma Day was ceremoniously observed in the parliament today, with congratulatory addresses by President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Parliament Speaker Josip Leko, Prime Minister Zoran Milanović and Deputy PM and European and Foreign Affairs Minister Vesna Pusić.
Roma minority MP Veljko Kajtazi said on Wednesday, citing a research on the European Union level, that one in two Roma had experienced discrimination because of ethnicity. Kajtazi warned about anti-Gypsysm, a form of racism consisting of violence, racist speeches and discrimination deeply rooted in Roma stereotypes. He said the state had made the first step, giving Roma special status and additional rights, but that it was more important to raise awareness of anti-Gypsysm as a separate form of discrimination and racism.
Speaking of Roma in Croatia, Kajtazi said some historic steps forward had been made in organising the community, which restored the Roma people's dignity. He thanked MPs, the government, ministers, ministries and local and regional government for their assistance.
A good institutional framework was additionally expanded with the establishment of the Roma National Council and for the first time the government set aside funds so that the Council can operate successfully, Kajtazi said. He said hundreds of buildings had been legalised and the infrastructure in some settlements improved.
Kajtazi underscored the cooperation with local government in places with a large Roma population as well as the importance that the Roma themselves work on improving their living conditions. "Progress can't be achieved only through the unilateral action of the state. Good cooperation with Roma representatives must also be established." Kajtazi said EU funds could be used for the development of the Roma community and that it was up to local government to draw the money.
He underlined the importance of nurturing and developing the Roma language which, together with Romani studies, can be studied at Zagreb's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and recalled the opening of the European Romani Studies Centre.
"There are many so-called Roma issues, but there is not one Roma issue that can't be solved," he said.
"Croatia is your homeland," President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović said, adding that the issues with the Roma community could be solved.
Prime Minister Zoran Milanović said Roma were "Europe's dirty conscience" and that Europe did not want to integrate the Roma because they looked different. "You will have the support of every government. You've had the support of mine, but money isn't everything," he said.