31 October 1991

Doc. 6525

1403-18/10/01-1-E

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on the situation of gypsies in Europe

presented by Mrs VERSPAGET and others

1.       For many centuries gypsies have been regarded as outcasts of European society, to the point of being described in the recent European press as "Europe's most hated ethnic group".

2.       Their situation with regard to basic human rights, education and employment is in question, and in particular in Central and Eastern Europe.

3.       Gypsy culture, its language and its traditions nevertheless constitute a genuine and long-standing part of European culture. Gypsies represent a substantial ethnic minority in most European countries and raise questions of a specifically international nature.

4.       The Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe adopted a resolution in 1981 on the role and responsibility of local and regional authorities in regard to the cultural and social problems of populations of nomadic origin and more recently held a hearing on "the Gypsy people and Europe" in Strasbourg on 12-13 July 1991 which led to a number of proposals for action.

5.       The Council for Cultural Co-operation has conducted a related study on gypsies and travellers and which is now being extended to cover the situation in Central and Eastern Europe.

6.       In the light of its own work on minorities, for example the Round Table on Tolerance and Ethnic Minorities in Luxembourg on 4 October, the Assembly should also examine the specific situation of gypsies in Europe.

      Signed:       VERSPAGET, TUMMERS, KOLLWELTER, SZELENYI, TERNAK, SOELL, RYYNÄNEN, CONCEICAO, HAWLICEK, MOREIRA, LOPEZ HENARES, DE PUIG.