Public hearing on the situation of the Portuguese Roma

Policy Response DateMarch 17, 2009 Country: Portugal Address: S. Bento, Lisboa General Type: Equality/Integration Racism and discrimination phenomena: Anti-roma/zinghanophobia, Inter-ethnic
Groups affected / Interested in: Roma & Travelers Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Policing - law enforcement, Employment - labour market, Housing, Health and social protection, Education, Anti-discrimination, Integration - social cohesion, Daily life

The Assembleia da República [Portuguese Parliament] made a public hearing on the situation of the Portuguese Roma within the scope of the 2008 European Year for Intercultural Dialogue. Considering the lack of knowledge about the situation of the Roma community in Portugal, the Comissão Parlamentar de Ética, Sociedade e Cultura [Parliamentary Commission of Ethics, Society and Culture], through its Subcomissão para a Igualdade de Oportunidades e da Família [Sub-commission of Equal Opportunities and Family], held hearings for six months with representative organisations and figures of the Roma community and relevant experts, as well as promoted some visits to significant sites. The report recognises the need to promote the participation of Roma citizens and an active citizenship for the Roma people. The report states that the attribution to the Roma of a status of ethnic minority would allow the application of a plan of positive discrimination, with the creation of jobs in public administration, and would guarantee the participation in political bodies, but such solution is not fully endorsed by the report.

Source:
Assembleia da República [Portuguese Parliament]  http://www.parlamento.pt/sites/COM/Paginas/DetalheNoticia.aspx?BID=2622