On International Roma Day, 8 April 2013, the Irish Minister for Justice,
Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter, T D, Chair of the Justice and Home
Affairs Council, emphasised the importance of implementing the National
Roma Integration Strategies, which were published in 2012.
He said: “The development of these Strategies was a major step towards a
more inclusive and socially cohesive European Union based on respect for
diverse cultural traditions and identities. Implementing the strategies
will ensure that the plight of Roma is properly considered in the four
priority areas of education, employment, healthcare and housing.”
The Minister pointed out that the experience of Member States in
implementing their strategies will enable them to engage in mutual
learning, and to elaborate and apply good practices in this field over
time. The awaited proposal from the Commission for a Council Recommendation
on good practices and approaches to faster socio-economic integration of
Roma, which is due to be published during the Irish Presidency, will
further advance this work.
The Minister said: “Since our Union is founded on freedom, democracy,
justice, the rule of law and respect for human rights, we as Europeans must
be greatly concerned by the shocking increase in racism and anti-Semitism
in some parts of Europe. I would like to commend Amnesty International for
drawing attention to this very important issue.”
Protecting fundamental rights and promoting the Rule of Law in Europe is a
priority for Minister Shatter during the Irish Presidency of the European
Union. At the Informal meeting of Justice Ministers in January, Ministers
considered ways in which political leaders can help tackle growing problems
of hate crime and intolerance including racism and anti-Semitism across
Europe.
Minister Shatter said “We must remain constantly vigilant and take a united
approach at European Union and Member State level to address this worrying
issue.”