Roma and Sinti

The OSCE promotes the rights of Roma and Sinti through political participation, education, housing, civil registration and combating racism.

(Edvard Molnar) Photo details

Centuries of discrimination and persecution have pushed the Roma and Sinti to the margins of society, making them one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged minorities in Europe. Many continue to face widespread racism and discrimination and have limited access to basic rights and services. Roma women and girls in particular are often subject to multiple forms of discrimination.

The OSCE promotes the rights of Roma and Sinti through projects on political participation, education, housing, civil registration, combating racism and discrimination, and protecting the rights of displaced persons. The key document driving OSCE activities on Roma and Sinti is the Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area.

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights appoints the OSCE Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues, who works with national and local governments, civil society and international organizations to promote equal opportunities for, and the protection of the human rights of all Roma and Sinti.

A number of field operations also work on Roma and Sinti issues. Their efforts include:

Projects to help protect the rights of Roma and Sinti;
Supporting authorities in their commitments related to Roma and Sinti issues;
Supporting national strategies for displaced Roma and Sinti;
Assisting in integration, empowerment and civic participation of Roma and Sinti;
Teaching targeted courses and fostering the importance of education;
Strengthening relationships between Roma and Sinti and local and national authorities, as well as human rights institutions;
Increasing political participation of Roma and Sinti; and
Improving housing situations of Roma and Sinti.

Roma and Sinti

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Roma and Sinti

Highlights

Thumbnail image for video "Sustainable employment" (OSCE)

Improving housing conditions

Video on a Roma Inclusion project, in Serbian only, March 2016

A video still from the short film on the Romani Women in the region of the OSCE. (OSCE)

The Cause is Ours

Interviews with Roma women who significantly contributed to policy development

We want to be heard

Video by Romedia about Roma and Sinti in the OSCE region; produced with ODIHR's support

Best Practices for Roma Integration

Project on Roma participation in decision-making, political and public life, and access to legal aid and improved living conditions

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Roma and Sinti

OSCE in Action

Information and activities on Roma and Sinti from across the Organization.

Institutions and Structures

OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Roma and Sinti

A history of discrimination and persecution has pushed the Roma and Sinti to the margins of society, making them one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged minorities in Europe. Many continue to face widespread racism and discrimination, have limited access to basic rights and services and are not proportionately represented in public and political life. Roma women and girls are often subject to multiple forms of discrimination. The OSCE Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues works with national and local governments, civil society and international organizations to promote equal opportunities for, and the protection of the human rights of all Roma and Sinti.

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Field Operations

OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Recognizing the issues hindering the inclusion of Roma, the Mission works to increase the access of Roma citizens to governmental authorities and human rights institutions. With respect to access to social rights, and due to the fact that Roma communities and other people in situations of vulnerability continue to face obstacles in accessing social protection, healthcare and health insurance, the Mission works to ensure individuals have access to their rights without discrimination.

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OSCE Mission to Montenegro

In support of a national strategy to improve the situation of displaced Roma in Montenegro, the Mission helps them to obtain documentation from their country of origin, which they need to legally reside in Montenegro, and in obtaining access to public services.

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OSCE Mission to Serbia

By providing substantial technical assistance to the Office for Human and Minority Rights, the Mission works toward better integration and empowerment of the Roma community. It particularly aims at helping Roma obtain access to basic rights and civic participation, the labour market, education, health, social welfare and adequate housing.

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OSCE Mission to Skopje

The Mission supports the government in its efforts to implement national policy commitments related to Roma affairs. It offers political and policy support and guidance to political representatives, senior civil servants and Romani civil society organizations. The Mission also supports and implements a number of projects to foster the social inclusion of Roma, for example initiatives of local non-governmental organizations that run mobile legal aid offices and financing the enrolment of Roma children in public pre-school.

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