The Roma are a community that started to live as nomads in the 5th century A.D., and then gradually dispersed to different parts of the world. As a matter of fact, it is known that the population of Roma in Europe, which is one of the regions of immigration, is between 10 to 12 million.
In almost every period of history, Roma have been exposed to negativities such as social exclusion, stigma, symbolic violence, marginalization, isolation, exile, forced resettlement and assimilation by the people of many countries they have passed through or hosted. Important decisions were taken to encourage cooperation in the fight against discrimination at the World Roma Congress, which was convened on April 8, 1971 to discuss these problems faced by the Roma. In 1990, it was decided to celebrate the 8th of April, when the Congress convened, as the "World Roma Day". With the Presidential Circular numbered 2021/7, it was decided to celebrate this day as the “Roma Day” in our country.
Roma rights are one of the main discussion areas on a global scale. In this context, it is important to secure the basic human rights of the Roma, especially the right to education, health, employment and housing. Undoubtedly, one of the issues addressed in this context is the principle of equality and the prohibition of discrimination.
The principle of equality and non-discrimination is one of the fundamental elements of international human rights law and has been specifically regulated and guaranteed in regional and international human rights texts, especially the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights. Putting individuals or groups at a disadvantage in terms of benefiting from fundamental rights and freedoms compared to other individuals or groups due to their race, color or ethnic origin constitutes discrimination on the basis of race and ethnicity.
One of the concepts that the prohibition of discrimination is directly related to is hate speech. In its Recommendation R (97) 20 adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in 1997, hate speech is defined as “any form of expression that spreads, encourages, advocates or justifies racial hatred, xenophobia, anti-Semitism or other forms of hatred based on intolerance, including aggressive nationalism that expresses intolerance”. In some cases, hate speech manifests itself as hate crimes. In the 2019 Hate Crime Report of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights; it is classified racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and prejudices against the people with disabilities, Roma, gender, Muslims and Christians.
In terms of eliminating discrimination; it is important to develop holistic, inclusive, equitable and transparent policies by public institutions and organizations, non-governmental organizations and other relevant persons and organizations. Within this framework, the Strategy Document for Roma Citizens (2023-2030) and the 1st Stage Action Plan (2023-2025) were published by the Ministry of Family and Social Services. Presidential Circular No. 2023/2 regarding the said Strategy Document and Action Plan was published in the Official Gazette.
In this respect, it is essential to develop effective policies and strategies in all areas of life, from education to employment, from health to housing, from establishing the principle of equality to combating discrimination, in order to protect and promote the human rights of Roma at the international level.
Our Institution, whose main mission is to ensure the right of people to be treated equally based on human dignity, and to prevent discrimination in the enjoyment of legally recognized rights and freedoms, celebrates the "World Roma Day" with the hope of building an egalitarian society where all kinds of prejudice and discrimination against Roma will end.
Respectfully announced to the public.