Educational training for the representatives of Roma national minority

On the 29th of February 2016 in the Sisak City Hall, CRP Sisak organized an educational training for the representatives of Roma national minority. The theme of the training, that was organized as a part of the activities of the project “The Importance of being Roma” that is financed by the European Union and co-financed  by the Office for Cooperation with NGO of the Croatian Government, was the Constitutional Act on Rights of National Minorities. The analysis of the Act was based in three directions – education, employment and culture, which are the most important for Roma.

The Constitutional Act on Rights of National minorities, as one of the ‘oldest’ acts in the independent Croatia, gives normative protection to the national minorities. With this kind of act, the Croatian legislation belongs to the most developed legal systems in Europe. Unfortunately, the guaranteed protection of the national minorities is not applicable for the members of the Roma national minority.  Positive discrimination in employment that is one of the most important parts of the Constitutional Act is not applicable for the jobs that Roma apply for. For example, in 2012 from more than 50.000 people employed within the State Administration, there were only 2 Roma. Also, in sphere of the education and culture, local and regional self-government has a right to bring specific regulations that affect Roma rights. Therefore, there is no equal practice in all parts of Croatia where Roma population live.

The only solution, to improve rights of Roma national minority regarding “positive discrimination” in employment, is to expand the Article 22 of the Constitutional Act, so it can be applicable to the Roma employment.  By creating the networks and joint advocacy of Roma NGOs, minority councils and representatives, and as the most important – self declaration, Roma can make influence on the local and regional government to bring the special regulations that would improve living conditions of Roma national minority and their situation regarding education and culture.