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

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Published by me, Pit, on behalf of Els.

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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

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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!