City of Lviv signs the Declaration against anti-Gypsyism
On 16 July 2018, the mayor of Lviv, Mr Andrii Ivanovych Sadovyi, signed the Declaration against anti-Gypsyism on behalf of his city.
Congress Spokesperson on Roma and Traveller Issues John Warmisham welcomed this step as a “strong symbol in our fight against anti-Gypsyism in Ukraine” and expressed his gratitude for Mr Sadovyi’s support of the Congress’ initiative against anti-Gypsyism.
The signature comes at a time when a series of attacks against Roma has made the headlines in the country. Since April this year, eight assaults against Roma have been reported in Ukraine: Three in the Zakarpattia region, two in Kyiv, one in Ternopil and two in the Lviv region. On 23 June 2018 an attack in the outskirts of Lviv left a 24 year old man stabbed to death and four others injured.
“In view of these attacks, the Declaration is of even greater importance”, Mr Warmisham stated. “I am happy that the city of Lviv has taken a strong stance on this point and hope that other municipalities in Ukraine will follow”, he added.
Until now the municipalities of Kropyvnytsky, Malodanilivska, Menska, Erkovetska, Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky and Uzhgorod have signed the Declaration against anti-Gypsyism promoted by the Congress.