We are already planning the restoration of Ukraine: an international conference has begun

The interests of Romanis have always been overlooked, even at watersheds in history. This is the key thought which has been voiced by participants of the international conference entitled «Restoration of Ukraine and Prospects of Civil Society of Ukrainian Romanis».

The event was opened by Katarina Maternova, EU Ambassador in Ukraine. She stressed that Romanis are the most marginalised ethnic community which does not even have a state of its own.

«That is why, Romanis often remain invisible; no Romani Embassy exists which you could call and complain about some defects or issues or simply seek advice. Whenever there emerged a threat, it was always Romanis who were the first victims. That is why we want to conduct a research in Ukraine: to see the actual state of things. Because we are just unable to shape any strategy without this. Attitude towards minorities is an important indicator of readiness when it comes to Ukraine's accession to the EU», – noted Ms Maternova.

In photo: Katarina Maternova, EU Ambassador in Ukraine

Another participant of the Conference was Ms Eleni Tsetsekou, Chief of the Section of Romanis and Nomads at the Council of Europe. She told us about projects that are being implemented by the Council of Europe to support Romani civil society in Ukraine and also emphasised the fact that the condition of Romanis has exacerbated as a result of the full-scale Russian invasion.

«We have a number of events scheduled that are being implemented by the Council of Europe in order to include ethnic minorities into the general narrative. Ukraine has signed the Convention which stipulates that the rights of ethnic communities should be respected. We thus are getting ready to evaluate how the country is fulfilling its obligations. A number of monitoring events have already taken place. Experts have noted that even though each and every citizen is experiencing hard times nowadays, it is still the Romanis that face heavier discrimination, hence it is necessary to take special effort to integrate Romanis into the Restoration Strategy. We already have a plan of events aimed at increase of stability of the Romani community», – stressed Eleni Tsetsekou.

The Conference also featured a speech by Matthias Schmale, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine. He told that, from the very beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion into Ukraine, UN has been collaborating with Romani society and has been considering all needs and issues—particularly needs and issues of Romani women and children.

«The dialogue is under way and aid is being provided to victims of war. Such aid includes, among other things, help with registration, provision of documents, and other kinds of support aimed at improving the well-being of Romani people», - noted Mr Matthias Schmale.

Photo: Matthias Schmale, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine

The Conference was organised by ARСA Youth Agency for the Advocacy of Romani Culture in collaboration with the Ukrainian State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience and Central Council of German Roma and Sinti People. The Conference has been conducted under political aegis of the Representative Office of European Union in Ukraine and the German Foreign Office.

Upon completion of the Conference, a Position Paper was presented which will serve as a source of information for the Ukrainian Government and the international community about the needs of Romanis in Ukraine and which shall contain recommendations on how such needs and rights may best be satisfied and ensured within the framework of restoration of Ukraine and in the course of our state's accession to the European Union.

«We are deeply convinced of the fact that equal participation of Romanis in the processes of restoration of Ukraine as well as in the accession to the European Union may become a prerequisite for the democratic future of our country. This engagement is an indicator of maturity of our society which values diversity and is ready to protect the rights of each and every ethnic community. Today's conference provides us with an opportunity to discuss concrete steps that should be taken in order to ensure that the rights and needs of Romanis be ensured in the process of restoration and to determine how the Ukrainian government, the international community, and the civil society can team up to achieve targets set», – noted Volodymyr Yakovenko, Executive Director of ARСA Youth Agency for the Advocacy of Romani Culture.  

Photo: Photo: Volodymyr Yakovenko, Executive Director of ARСA Youth Agency for Romani Culture Advocacy

The Conference was also attended by representatives of state authorities, international institutions, and Romani NGOs. Topics on the agenda included issues pertaining to non-tangible needs and challenges which Romanis face in the course of restoration; material and physical problems and challenges, correlation between the condition of Romanis and the process of Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

The Position Paper prepared in the course of the Conference shall then be posted on ARKA's website.