HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------In a message dated 9/23/02 4:28:28 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Subj:[Support_Roma] Roma to combat human trafficking among their own ranks
Date:9/23/02 4:28:28 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent from the Internet
Press Release
19 September 2002
Roma to combat human trafficking among their own ranks
WARSAW, 19 September 2002 - In a significant departure from previous practice, Roma non-governmental organizations publicly acknowledged the involvement of individuals of their ethnic group in trafficking in human beings and expressed their determination to co-operate with national authorities to combat this serious human rights and organized crime issue. The joint declaration was adopted by Romani associations from Romania and France on the margins of the OSCE's annual human rights conference in Warsaw which ends today.
"This move paves the way for the involvement of Roma civil society in state responses to trafficking and other forms of illegal migration", said Nicolae Gheorghe, Roma and Sinti Adviser at the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), who brokered the declaration.
"By involving civil society we hope to ensure that states do not take repressive measures only, but also address the root causes that lead to Roma becoming victims of ruthless smugglers or trafficking networks."
Romani groups have been reluctant to acknowledge the involvement of Roma in trafficking in human beings and other organized crime activities out of fear for their security and to avoid reinforcing existing stereotypes.
The governments of France and Romania recently agreed to clamp down on illegal immigration and organized crime in reaction to a sharp increase of Romanian immigrants in France being forced into prostitution or begging by organized crime gangs. Roma are among those involved in these activities, both as victims and perpetrators.
In their declaration, the Roma associations announced the establishment of a task force overseeing a set of activities aimed at raising awareness among Roma of the numerous financial and security risks connected to migration. They also agreed to promote a more balanced coverage of Roma-related issues among the media in both countries, and to work with the authorities to ensure that any anti-immigration measures are fully in line with human rights standards.
For further information, please contact:
Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer
Spokesperson
Public Affairs Unit
OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
Aleje Ujazdowskie 19
00-557, Warsaw
Poland
Tel.: + 48 - 22 520 06 00
Mobile: + 48 - 603 683 122
Fax: + 48 - 22 520 06 05
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST
==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
--- Begin Message ------ End Message ---
Press Release
19 September 2002
Roma to combat human trafficking among their own ranksWARSAW, 19 September 2002 - In a significant departure from previous practice, Roma non-governmental organizations publicly acknowledged the involvement of individuals of their ethnic group in trafficking in human beings and expressed their determination to co-operate with national authorities to combat this serious human rights and organized crime issue. The joint declaration was adopted by Romani associations from Romania and France on the margins of the OSCE's annual human rights conference in Warsaw which ends today.
"This move paves the way for the involvement of Roma civil society in state responses to trafficking and other forms of illegal migration", said Nicolae Gheorghe, Roma and Sinti Adviser at the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), who brokered the declaration.
"By involving civil society we hope to ensure that states do not take repressive measures only, but also address the root causes that lead to Roma becoming victims of ruthless smugglers or trafficking networks."
Romani groups have been reluctant to acknowledge the involvement of Roma in trafficking in human beings and other organized crime activities out of fear for their security and to avoid reinforcing existing stereotypes.
The governments of France and Romania recently agreed to clamp down on illegal immigration and organized crime in reaction to a sharp increase of Romanian immigrants in France being forced into prostitution or begging by organized crime gangs. Roma are among those involved in these activities, both as victims and perpetrators.
In their declaration, the Roma associations announced the establishment of a task force overseeing a set of activities aimed at raising awareness among Roma of the numerous financial and security risks connected to migration. They also agreed to promote a more balanced coverage of Roma-related issues among the media in both countries, and to work with the authorities to ensure that any anti-immigration measures are fully in line with human rights standards.
For further information, please contact:
Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer
Spokesperson
Public Affairs Unit
OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
Aleje Ujazdowskie 19
00-557, Warsaw
Poland
Tel.: + 48 - 22 520 06 00
Mobile: + 48 - 603 683 122
Fax: + 48 - 22 520 06 05
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
