Secretary Clinton’s Message for International Roma Day – April 8th

April 8, 2009

Proposed official flag for the Romani people

U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, for whom promoting and protecting the rights of Roma has long been of personal interest, has recorded a special videotaped message on the occasion of International Roma Day in an effort to support the fight against Roma discrimination.  The International Roma Day, celebrated on April 8, became an international event in the 1990s.  The Roma or Romani – commonly referred to as “Gypsies” – are an ethnic group dispersed throughout Central and Eastern Europe, with smaller populations in the Americas.  The Roma originally lived in northwestern India, from where they migrated to Persia and then to Europe.  They have their own language divided into several dialects, and live in close-knit communities, often in extended families, placing great importance on family values. Unfortunately, prejudice against the Roma is widespread in Europe.  In her statement, Secretary Clinton referred to the International Roma Day as an opportunity for people around the world to call attention to the history, experiences, and human rights of the Roma, Europe’s largest ethnic minority.  Please click here to watch the video.  

Secretary Clinton saw firsthand the plight of the Roma, particularly Romani women and children, when she visited Roma communities in Central and Eastern Europe as the First Lady of the United States.  As a member of the Helsinki Commission, she urged governments to do more to protect and promote the 10 million Roma who live in Europe.

“Despite important progress that has been made in the past decade, many Roma still live on the margins of society,” said Secretary Clinton.  “They continue to experience racial profiling, violence, discrimination, and other human rights abuses.” Secretary Clinton urged governments throughout Europe to continue their efforts to address the plight of Roma, to end discrimination and ensure equality of opportunity in education and employment.

The United States is committed to protecting and promoting the human rights of Roma throughout bilateral relations and involvement in organizations such as the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. “We believe governments do have a special responsibility to ensure that minority communities have the tools of opportunity that they need to succeed as productive and responsible members of society,” said Secretary Clinton.