Secretary's International Roma Day Message

April 8, 2009

"International Roma Day is an opportunity for us to callattention to the history, experiences, and human rights ofEurope,s largest ethnic minority. Promoting and protecting the rights of Roma has long been ofpersonal interest to me, because I saw firsthand the plightof the Roma--particularly Romani women and children--when Ivisited Roma communities in Central and Eastern Europe as ourcountry,s First Lady.  As a member of the HelsinkiCommission, I urged governments to do more to protect andpromote the 10 million Roma who live in Europe. Despite important progress that has been made in the pastdecade, many Roma still live on the margins of society. 

They continue to experience racial profiling, violence,discrimination, and other human rights abuses.  Too often,they lack identity documents or citizenship papers, whichexcludes them from voting or social services andeducation--even employment opportunities that would enablethem to participate more fully in the countries in which theylive. The United States is committed to protecting and promotingthe human rights of Roma throughout our bilateral relationsand our involvement in organizations such as the UnitedNations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation inEurope. 

We believe governments do have a specialresponsibility to ensure that minority communities have thetools of opportunity that they need to succeed as productiveand responsible members of society.  So I urge governmentsthroughout Europe to continue their efforts to address theplight of Roma, to end discrimination and ensure equality ofopportunity in education and employment. I am particularly concerned about Roma children being able togrow up and fulfill their own God-given potential. You know,Roma have a rich artistic and cultural heritage, which hasleft an indelible mark across Europe and the world. 

It is in the interest of the larger European and globalcommunity to create conditions that maximize success for allof the people within our borders and beyond.  I hope thatevents taking place at our embassies and missions around theworld on International Roma Day will be one more step on thepath to helping Roma reach a better and brighter future. Andthe United States stands ready to help make that a reality. Thank you very much."