ROMA RIGHTS, Major Group

Information

ROMA RIGHTS justly offers resources to promote Roma integration in public health care, housing, schools, employment, politics, administration, etc. as a method to address segregation and facilitate equity.

Proposed projects:

a. Identies integration models/pilots for health care, housing, schools, employment, etc.

b. Implements integration models/pilots for health care, housing, schools, employment, etc.

Coordinators: Niko Rergo

Website: http://artists-for-roma-net.ning.com/groups/group/human-rights-for-roma
Members: 38
Latest Activity: Apr 6, 2018

14 members like this

STATEMENTS

STATEMENT by KHETANES

27 April 2012

Trial against Roberto Malini and Dario Picciau
(Members of Khetanes and Members of EveryOne Group, Italy)

Today, Friday, 27 April 2012, 10:30 a.m., Roberto Malini and Dario Picciau, two artists and human rights activists, will be in the Italian court of Pesaro. Both are facing possible prison sentences. Their crime?.. They opposed the human rights violations of Roma in Italy. So, not only Roma are persecuted, but also artists who defend their rights.

Both Roberto and Dario belong to the EveryOne Group, that is on our Khetanes site. All EveryOne Group members are artists. It should be stated here that they designed our logo: the butterfly, with the red Roma wheel and the words "inspiring justice". This logo is on our site and in all our publications, as a symbol of freedom and fundamental rights for all.

Today we are over 700 artists and scholars, from 48 countries in the entire world. Taking into account the orchestras, bands and theatre companies, we are 2500 at least.

Among the first ones to protest against the persecution of Roberto and Dario, is Juan de Dios Ramírez Heredia, President of the Unión Romaní in Spain and Honorary Member of Khetanes. Other activists, artists and scholars followed his example.

I believe we all must protest. Gandhi stated that human rights are the bread in this world. Without bread our civilization will starve. Please, react to roberto.malini@everyonegroup.com and/or
Artists_Initiative@ziggo.nl.

We demand that the charges against Roberto Malini and Dario Picciau are dropped!

Els de Groen

When justice protects racists
by Juan de Dios Ramírez Heredia, Honorary Member of Khetanes

Barcelona, April 27, 2012. Many of you know of the existence of Roberto Malini. He is a tireless fighter. Roberto Malini's our friend, our brother, our ally. And within two days will be in court in Pesaro (Italy), and with him also appear Dario Picciau. Another great activist from the platform "Everyone Grup" show their faces in defense of Roma and any citizen who is a victim of racial or social discrimination.

I ask you to read the following lines. They are crieing against a brave and committed authorities to perform their duties without any regard to the most basic rights that are inherent to the dignity of every human being. Read the words of Roberto reflecting very clearly by the ordeal they are going through many of our brothers in Italy who have bequeathed to racist politicians who think the time has passed.

Juan de Dios Ramírez Heredia

The message by Roberto Malini
Treviglio (BG), April 22, 2012

Dear friends, I thank you for your support. We have spent many years working for social justice and we are persecuted for defending the rights of Roma and ask the institutions and authorities to respect their rights. We want to be a symbol of all those who are expelled, accused of unfairly and punished without any guilt.

In Italy, the police commit abuses and Rroma incriminating with false charges. Such sentences are unjust and they often end up in prison without having committed any crime. The juvenile courts and social services snatch children from their mothers and give them in adoption to Italian families. Do not help poor and marginalized communities, but the brutally expelled. Many hospitals refuse to treat Roma people, and politicians defame the Roma community to gain the favor of citizens.

But we know the truth and continue to devote our lives to defend it. We promise that we do not stop.We will continue to raise our voice against the abuses against our brothers and sisters gypsies. We have received threats, police and judicial harassment, and intimidation by political groups and racists. We are not violent but have powerful weapons: truth, justice and our ideals of brotherhood. We do not stop.

The Roma population suffers actual persecution in the European Union. We can not accept this continuing violation of human rights. In Italy, the hatred against the Roma is so strong that it also affects us, the defenders of human rights.

On April 27 the great activist Dario Picciau and I must defend before a judge in the terrible Court of Pesaro. What is our crime? None. Simply provide humanitarian aid to three young gypsies in front of a policeman. However, this was not the first time, because in Pesaro politicians, judges, police and many citizens have taken actions to force us to abandon the local Roma community. In Pesaro, many Roma have suffered incredible abuse and ended up in jail without guilt. We will go to the Court with pride and wearing a shirt with the image of Gandhi and the slogan: "Human rights are the bread of the world." We stand before the unjust judges of Pesaro with courage and pride, to represent all the gypsies who are and have been persecuted.

Roberto Malini
EveryOne Group Co-Chair
roberto.malini@everyonegroup.com

- - -

Published by me, Pit, on behalf of Els.

STATEMENT by KHETANES

28 April 2012

Pesaro, Italy: Trial against Roberto Malini and Dario Picciau
(Members of Khetanes and Members of EveryOne Group, Italy)

Today, Saturday, 28 April 2012, Roberto Malini and Dario Picciau, two artists and human rights activists, received the verdict. The charges were dropped! "We have been acquitted "because the offense is not".

This is a great victory for human rights and for the Roma.

Our congratulatioins go to you Roberto and Dario!

BOARD, ON BEHALF OF ALL ARTISTS FROM KHETANES

STATEMENT by ROMA Virtual Network @Romano_Liloro
Saturday 28 April

Pesaro, trial against Roberto Malini and Dario Picciau

Milan, April 28, 2012. Trial against Roberto Malini and Dario Picciau. We received the verdict. We have been acquitted "because the offense is not". This is a great victory for human rights. This is the victory of all organizations and activists who have sided with us, who have supported us, who wrote speeches and sent letters to institutions. We will soon publish an article with photographs and all the details about the event. Thanks to all our friends. A fraternal embrace. The non-violent actions continue!

Milano, 28 de Abril 2012. Juicio contra Roberto Malini y Picciau Darío. Hemos recibido el veredicto. Hemos sido absuelto "porque el delito no es". Esta es una gran victoria para los derechos humanos. Esta es la victoria de todas las organizaciones y activistas que se han aliado con nosotros, que nos han apoyado, que escribió discursos y enviaron cartas a las instituciones. En breve publicaremos un artículo con fotografías y todos los detalles del evento. Gracias a todos. Un abrazo fraternal. La lucha no-violenta continua!

Processo contro Roberto Malini e Dario Picciau. Abbiamo ricevuto il verdetto. Siamo stati assolti "perché il fatto non costituisce reato". Questa è una grande vittoria dei diritti umani. E' la vittoria di tutte le organizzazioni e gli attivisti che si sono schierati con noi, che ci hanno sostenuti, che hanno scritto interventi e inviato lettere alle istituzioni. Presto pubblicheremo un articolo con le fotografie e tutti i dettagli del caso. Grazie a tutti. Un abbraccio fraterno. La lotta non-violenta continua!

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Comment Wall

Comment by Ciuin Ferrin on May 11, 2012 at 16:32: Excellent work! Please do post your letter as well. It would be amusing to have someone create a drawing representing the situation and have everyone print and send it in inside the letter as well.

C

Comment by Qristina Zavačková Cummings on May 11, 2012 at 16:34: That would be great. I'm not such a good artist though... and I plan to send my letters today. There is only 10 days until the hearing at Westminster...

Comment by Qristina Zavačková Cummings on May 11, 2012 at 16:34: Oh question: Can I say in the letter that I am from Khetanes?

Comment by Stoimen on May 11, 2012 at 17:03: Hello Qristina,

Of course you can say that you are from Khetanes. You can even use our logo in the letter head. I will forward you the address.

I only have one remark: we really need to start working on our concrete plans with art. That is our specialty. The protests are part of that too, but presented in a different way.

Today RomaReact was launched by the ERGO in Brussels. It is a site where all violations can be reported. Contact Gabriella Hrabanova on this site for more details.

And please, please, let's focus on activities of Romano Them Transmission, on art and education, on music, film, performances, lectures, live contacts with local communities. This is our power!

I was a MEP (Member of European Parliament). I have observed many protests. I have witnessed many violations. I have asked many questions.

Now I just ask you one: why do you think I initiated Khetanes? The answer can be found in the blog that I posted here, with my speech in Brussels, on 18 April. Europe goes through a moral crisis. That is exactly the word I have used. Far right is on the rise, populism is imitating far right. Protest must be heard, but they won't be enough. We need stronger tools.

Comment by Qristina Zavačková Cummings on May 11, 2012 at 17:09: I agree, but tell me what I, a lone woman in the US can do? I am here every day, I am willing to help out--what is it that I can do?? I am writing letters because today, there is nothing else I can do for Toma or other Roma.

There are many wonderful and skilled people here... many who are much more skilled and experienced than me.

I do what I can, and today that is writing letters.

If there is something better I can do today or tomorrow or all the days forward, then I ask Devla to please help me find it.

I sit here in tears because no matter what I do, or how I try to help it is the wrong thing. I am sorry to my fellow Roma that I am not a great artist, musician, or dancer. I am sorry that I am at a university that does not support my suggestions for initiatives.

I am sorry that all I can do is write letters... and not very useful ones at that.

Comment by Ciuin Ferrin on May 11, 2012 at 17:15: Oh, dear Q, don't cry at all. Every thing any one person feels led to do, then by all means, do it. I don't think Els was talking to you personally. I think she was talking to all of us about keeping our focus. One lone person can have a great effect. Look at Ghandi. Do what you can, follow your path, follow your heart, and you can do no wrong.

Love,

C

Comment by Stoimen on May 11, 2012 at 17:30: Indeed, I meant all people here! And it is certainly not only about artists. The combination of art and education is very important. You can do a lot, with all the skills you have. That also goes for Ciuin and so many others. But it is and and. Protesting is good, that is why we have our Anti Defamation Group and should try to work together with ERGO, Amnesty, Human Rights Watch and so on.

But let's keep in mind the serious situation. The only active Romani Member of European Parliment had to flee from Europe, other people on this site have been seriously threatened: in Italy, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and elsewhere.

The only thing I said is that letters won't be enough. It is a first step, but our acting is a priority now. This is, I repeat, our power. I have seen in practice how much influence art has on politics. Why? Because politicians respect art. Tonight I will send you and others a mail with detailed information.

Take care! You are doing wonderful things, Qristina, at high level. I wish you could multiply yourself. But we are facing deadlines and without grants we cannot move much. That is what worries me. See the mail tonight!

Comment by Qristina Zavačková Cummings on May 11, 2012 at 17:44: I know this is not the main focus of Khetanes, but it did not take me long to do this and today, it's all I can do.

I know there are other more important tasks to focus on and I apologise for pulling our gaze away from our tasks here.

I have the letter I wrote here:

http://artists-for-roma-net.ning.com/profiles/blogs/my-letter-for-toma

If anyone else want to use it that's fine, if not, that's fine too.

I wish but baxt for the grants and other things I cannot help with.

Q

Comment by Qristina Zavačková Cummings on May 11, 2012 at 23:51: Pit,

Thank you for your support. I am not used to having a voice--I am still learning how to use it. I understand that our focus here is art and artists and not writing letters and that is how it should be. We must focus on standing together (as is our name, Khetanes) and not being distracted or distracting each other.

Many letters have been written, many words and nothing has changed. I am only writing these letters today because today, there is nothing else I can do. If I could paint or sing or dance as beautifully as many member here, I would be singing my heart out and joining my voice into a choir.

But, all I have are words--these words. I do my best with them, but sometimes it's not enough. We have to do this together (Khetanes) with art and love and each other.

Comment by Stoimen on May 12, 2012 at 0:01: Singing beautifully won't help. Many did and nothing changed. Good words alone won't help either. It will be the combination on this site that makes the magic. Art and education, art and wisdom, heart and brain. In this process we need all. Khetanes.

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