At the 32nd Congress Session (28-30 March), a “Declaration of Mayors and Elected Local and Regional Representatives of Council of Europe Member States against anti-Gypsyism” will be presented by John Warmisham the Congress Spokesperson for Roma Issues. The Congress and the Alliance call mayors and elected representatives of local and regional authorities to sign this Declaration, to affirm their explicit opposition to anti-Gypsyism.

The Declaration is a landmark document to fight anti-Gypsyism at local and regional levels. Initiated by Mr Valeriu Nicolae, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe for Roma Issues, and Mr John Warmisham, Rapporteur for Roma and Traveller Issues of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, it gives local and regional authorities the possibility to clearly position themselves in the fight against anti-Gypsyism.

Anti-Gypsyism continues to be one of the most widespread forms of racism in Europe and is recognised by the Council of Europe as a specific form of racism (see ECRI General Policy Recommendation N°13 on combating anti-Gypsyism and discrimination against Roma). The European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Inclusion of Roma and Travellers (will focus on the fight against anti-Gypsyism, in line with its Strategic Guidelines and the Council of Europe’s Thematic Action Plan for the Inclusion of Roma and Travellers.

The Declaration was so far signed by Gabrielle Neff, President of the Current Affairs Committee of the Congress, John Warmisham, Congress Thematic Spokesperson for Roma Issues and Daniel Florea Mayor of Bucharest (Sector Five). Others have already followed this call for signatures. We ask all municipalities whether they are part of the Alliance or not to sign this Declaration. This can be done online here. Please do inform the Alliance secretariat about your signature under alliance@coe.int.

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