The European Parliament adopted by 554 votes to 13, with 44 abstentions, a resolution on the occasion of International Roma Day – anti-Gypsyism in Europe and EU recognition of the memorial day of the Roma genocide during World War II.

The resolution was tabled by the PPE, S&D, PPE, S&D, ECR, ALDE, GUE/NGL, Verts/ALE and EFDD groups.

Parliament recognised solemnly the historical fact of the genocide of Roma that took place during World War II and invited Member States to do the same. It declared that a European day should be dedicated to commemorating the victims of the genocide of the Roma during World War II and that this day should be called the "European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day".

Members expressed their deep concern at the rise of anti-Gypsyism, as manifested inter alia through anti-Roma rhetoric and violent attacks against Roma in Europe, including murders,

which are incompatible with the norms and values of the European Union and constitute a major obstacle to the successful social integration of Roma and to ensuring full respect for their human rights.

Underlining the need to combat anti-Gypsyism at every level and by every means, Parliament called on the Member States to:

·        implement effectively Council Directive 2000/43/EC implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, in order to prevent and eliminate discrimination against Roma, in particular in employment, education and access to housing;

·        implement effectively Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law;

·        further strengthen the fight against anti-Gypsyism as part of their National Roma Integration Strategies; in this regard, Members stressed the need to ensure that specific measures for women’s rights and gender mainstreaming and considering children a priority when implementing the EU Framework for National Roma strategies.

The Commission, for its part, was called upon to effectively monitor and assess Member

States’ compliance with the fundamental values of the EU.

Recalling that Roma are part of Europe’s culture and shared values, Parliament encouraged the Member States and other European countries to address the history of Roma people through dialogue with citizens and young people, in particular the genocide of Roma during World War II.