BRUSSLES—On May 20, 2008, the European Roma Policy Coalition released a statement condemning the recent attacks against the Roma community in Italy, as well as the statements of discriminatory nature made by high ranking Italian politicians.

The coalition called on the Italian authorities to take action against anti-Roma discourse in the Italian media and by Italian politicians, and requested that the authorities take all the necessary measures to provide protection to the Roma community and pursue their active inclusion in society.

The coalition also called for prompt reaction by the European Commission and the European Council to these events, and urged members of the European Parliament to convene an emergency session and appoint a fact finding mission in order to review the planned discriminatory legal measures, instances of inciting racial hatred, and fanatic anti-Romani behavior in Italy.

A copy of the coalition’s entire statement is available for download below.

To sign this petition, go to www.romapolicy.eu.

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The European Roma Policy Coalition brings together national and international NGOs working on discrimination, human rights and social inclusion issues. They work with Roma communities in different countries and bring crucial field experience to the analysis of Roma discrimination. They are: Amnesty International-EU Office; European Roma Rights Center; European Roma Information Office; European Network Against Racism; Open Society Institute-Brussels; Spolu International Foundation; Minority Rights Group International; European Roma Grassroots Organisation; Roma Education Fund; and Fundacion Secretariado Gitano.