European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)

➡ In a ground-breaking decision, a European rights committee has ruled that access to energy is a prerequisite for the enjoyment of fundamental rights, and stressed that Spain and other states cannot outsource their human rights duties to private utility companies. 💡 FEANTSA called for immediate restoration of electricity for the rights-deprived and energy-poor residents of Cañada Real. Bring back power to the people! Read more: https://lnkd.in/dX-pBkyV

➡📢The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has ruled that Slovakia discriminated against a Romani pupil who was placed in a special class for children with mild intellectual disabilities. In the case of SALAY v. SLOVAKIA, where the applicant was represented by the ERRC, the court ruled that the pupil received an education which did not offer the necessary guarantees stemming from the positive obligations of the State to undo a history of racial segregation in special education. 🟢“We welcome this judgment where for the first time the Strasbourg court confirmed what we already knew – there has been systemic segregation of Romani pupils in special education in Slovakia”, said ERRC’s legal consultant Michal Zalesak, who has worked on the case since the beginning of domestic proceedings, “On the other hand, we find it unfortunate the applicant had to wait more than ten years to achieve justice. We sincerely hope that the Slovak authorities learn the lesson from this judgment and secure quality inclusive education for all.” 🔗READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE: https://lnkd.in/gPtugt63

Good news! 🎉 The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) has been awarded a prize in the 2024 Fundación Secretariado Gitano Awards in the category ‘Solidarity with G, collective modality’ for its defence of Roma rights across Europe, especially for children and women, with an intersectional approach and a significant impact. "This award serves as a reminder of the power of solidarity and collective action," said ERRC Legal Director Vivien Brassói at the ceremony. "It is also a call to action for governments, institutions, and societies to uphold their commitments to human rights and social justice for all. Let us stand together, with determination and compassion, to build a future where every person can thrive without barriers or prejudice." This year’s awards also recognised: 🏆 Raúl Quinto – Education is the Future 🏆 RTVE’s programme La Revuelta – Communication with Awareness 🏆 Grupo Lacera – Transformative Company 🏆 Jorge Serrano (local police officer) – Solidarity with G, individual modality 🏆 Ramón Salazar Barrul ‘Tío Jani’ – ‘Tío Valentín’ Award Congratulations to all the winners! 🎉👏 

📌 In a ‘shout-out’ from Strasbourg – US aid freeze is leaving a void. Europe must fill it – Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty called on European states to redouble their efforts to ‘ensure that human rights and democracy do not wither under financial pressure.’ Read more: https://lnkd.in/dNFzwi8i

Three years ago, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and escalated a war it began in 2014 with the occupation and annexation of Crimea. As the horrors of war unfolded, the ERRC and its partners began an unprecedented human rights monitoring mission inside Ukraine and across five neighbouring countries (the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova). We uncovered cases of segregation, violent attacks, ethnic profiling, and discrimination against Roma. At a time when the future of Ukraine hangs in the balance, our legal actions and human rights monitoring stand as historical evidence in the face of revisionist, far-right narratives. 📌2022: In October, the ERRC took legal action in Moldova after Romani refugees were attacked by security at a shelter in Chisinau. 📌2023: We documented how many Romani refugees faced discrimination and were forced to return to Ukraine or emigrate to Western Europe due to poor treatment 🔗https://shorturl.at/3N83U. We exposed the dangers of Ukraine’s institutional care system for Romani children during wartime 🔗 https://shorturl.at/cLfXb as well as how Romani children were among thousands of Ukrainians forcibly abducted by Russian forces from children's homes and fostered to families in Russia in an act of ethnic cleansing. 🔗 https://shorturl.at/Xq1gi 📌 2024: Our latest report detailed widespread barriers denying Romani refugees access to housing, healthcare, and education. In Moldova and the Czech Republic, Roma were placed in accommodation unfit for human habitation. 🔗https://shorturl.at/N4cCC In Hungary, we petitioned against a decree expelling thousands of Ukrainian Romani refugees from subsidised housing.Racism doesn’t vanish during war, it is exacerbated by it. The human rights abuses we have witnessed will not be forgotten.

🎯The ERRC is looking for a Learning Facilitator to guide and support strategic discussions during a critical period for Roma rights advocacy. Apply by the end of the day. More details about the call can be found here: https://lnkd.in/d8WdsTeK

📢ERRC is looking for a Learning Facilitator to guide and help strategic discussions during a critical period for Roma Rights advocacy. Operating under a virtual office model amidst human rights backsliding and diminishing support for Roma rights, the ERRC seeks to ensure the sustainability, relevance, and effectiveness of its programs and operations. 📌Engagement Type: Consultancy (Short-Term) 📌Duration: February–June 2025 📌Location: Remote with up to 5 travel days 📌Expected Number of Days: Approximately 40 days, including travel ➡Apply by: 2️⃣0️⃣th February 2025 More: https://lnkd.in/d8WdsTeK #job #opencall #consultancy #RomaRights #ERRC

📌 Segregated kindergartens in Kalocsa, Hungary have been shut down and measures put in place to ensure integrated education for Romani children following an investigation and legal complaint by the Rosa Parks and Polgár Foundations, with support from the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC). The Deputy Commissioner for Fundamental Rights - Ombudsperson for the Rights of National Minorities in Hungary brought a decision on 31 January 2025 against the head of the kindergartens in the city of Kalocsa and the municipality responsible for their administration. 🗯️ As a result of the Ombudsman’s intervention, the municipality ultimately decided to permanently close the segregated kindergartens. The district was subsequently redistributed among other kindergartens in the city, with district boundaries revised to consider both proximity and socio-cultural diversity, ensuring a more balanced composition of students. According to local parents, the situation has significantly improved, with a new head of kindergarten appointed, and segregation—at least at the kindergarten level—effectively eliminated. This decision marks the effective end of segregation at the kindergarten level in Kalocsa. Read the full Press Release: End of Segregation of Roma in Kindergartens in Kalocsa, Hungary After Community Legal Action - European Roma Rights Centre

📌 The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) is looking for a Learning Facilitator to guide and help strategic discussions during a critical period for Roma Rights advocacy. Operating under a virtual office model amidst human rights backsliding and diminishing support for Roma rights, the ERRC seeks to ensure the sustainability, relevance, and effectiveness of its programs and operations. #job #hiring #romarights #humanrights #facilitatos #advocacy #remote #remotejob

📢 “All of us, right across Europe, have got to wake up...” – Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner. Take notice Europe, this is how an ally sounds 👏During the Commissioner’s recent visit to Greece (3-7 Feb), he highlighted racist police violence as well as dire housing conditions for Romani communities, despite new national efforts for inclusion. Action is needed to ensure real change. #RomaRights #HumanRights #europe More: https://shorturl.at/ZKwjq