ARСA representative participates in OSCE conference on human rights

Oct. 26, 2025 Conferences

This year's OSCE Human Rights Conference was particularly significant: 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act. This document laid the foundation for the modern system of human rights protection, democracy, and the rule of law in Europe.

Over the course of 10 days, representatives of governments, international institutions, expert organizations, and civil society from 57 participating countries discussed the current challenges facing democratic societies. The Ukrainian context, marked by war, led to a particular focus on issues of security, the humanitarian situation, and the protection of vulnerable groups, in particular Roma communities.

The participation of representatives of Roma and pro-Roma organizations in the conference demonstrates that issues of discrimination, integration, and combating anti-Gypsyism remain among the key topics in the field of human rights.

During the 7th plenary session on “Tolerance and Non-Discrimination,” participants discussed progress and current challenges in ensuring the rights of national minorities, as well as the need for a systematic approach to implementing the OSCE participating States' commitments regarding Roma and Sinti.

Natalia Tomenko, representative of the ARСA Youth Agency for the Advocacy of Roma Culture, took part in the discussion, focusing on the contemporary experience of the Roma community in Ukraine—from documenting cases of discrimination to creating new formats for memory and cultural representation.

The conference also featured thematic meetings, including with the Ukrainian Office of Human Rights Defenders, as well as a series of parallel events. One of them, a discussion entitled “Exploring Past and Present Achievements and Challenges: What Lies Ahead for the Human Rights of Roma and Sinti in the OSCE Region,” provided a platform for experts, human rights defenders, and representatives of international institutions to exchange experiences.

The day ended with a screening of the film "That Boy: A Conversation About Hate and Healing", a profound story about the consequences of prejudice and the paths to social reconciliation.

Daria Vorona
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