Loading ...Beyond the formal adhesion to general principles, we are lacking such concrete measures to help the Roma community overcome difficulties it is in, Romanian President Traian Basescu appreciated in a message on Friday, on the occasion of the Roma's Emancipation Day. 'Unfortunately, the event we celebrate today does not represent at the same time the finalization of a process of emancipation of the ethnic Roma.
The formal abolition of slavery didn't automatically generate the adoption of a decision meant to lead to the integration of this minority, to the adoption of such measures to prevent social exclusion. Roma's integration is far from being a reality, although we celebrate today the 153rd anniversary of the Emancipation,' the head of the Romanian state said.
Traian Basescu appreciated that 'the social stigma, the severe social problems and prejudices' related to the Roma people, both at home and abroad, resulted in the Roma being often regarded as 'second-class citizens.'
He also stressed that, beyond the formal embracement of the general principles allowing the recognition of these communities' rights, there lack the concrete measures to help Roma people overcome difficulties they meet with every day. 'Solutions exist, but implementing them depends mostly on the active involvement of the state institutions.
The effective assuming of the national development plan for the Roma community, by each relevant ministry, by the local authorities and the social partners, the involvement of the structures of the state in protecting the rights of all its citizens, in the country and abroad, the definition of such active measures related to the maintaining, development and expression of the ethnical identity represent a necessity of our times,' the President showed.
The president said that the document from back in 1856, marking the release of the Roma people, was one of those events at the foundation of the Romanian modernity, proving a political will engaged in changing the mentality of its leaders at the time. 'In fact, the event we celebrate today shows how, by means of a law, when the will exists to fundamentally change the state of things, there can be created the prerequisites for the individual development of generations,' the head of the Romanian state said.
He also stressed that, in this context, it is highly important for one to highlight the role the Roma's civil society needs to play in making the integration happen, both by working within the community and in cooperation with the authorities of the state. The president specified that he would keep an eye on the state authorities so that such constitutional provisions related the equality between citizens be observed.
'Today, the same as more than a one and a half century ago, we have the chance to make a new step into a real emancipation of the Roma people in Romania. Today, we can make such options that, in time, to make our successors speak about the integration of the Roma communities in Romania as a success of the Romanian society,' reads the abovementioned message. The Roma people in Romania celebrate every year, on February 20, 'The Emancipation Day.'
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