Press Release February 2005
03 February 2005.
Today Pavee Point launched its Shadow Report to the UN Convention on the Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in Pavee Point Travellers’ Centre. The launch coincided with the international launch of the Decade of Roma Inclusion held on February 2 in Bulgaria. The Decade of Roma Inclusion is aimed at ending discrimination against the Roma population in Europe and has been adopted by nine European governments and is supported by the Open Society Institute, the World Bank, the European Commision, and other partners.
Pavee Point Director Ronnie Fay welcomed the Decade initiative underlining that, “it is essential that this exercise results in significant action on the ground and does not become a sop to the EU, hiding the reality that the Roma and Traveller communities are among the most excluded minority groups within Europe. It is also imperative that Roma and Roma NGOs are involved in the development, implementation and monitoring of these plans.”
Launching the Shadow Report Ms Fay highlighted the situation of Travellers and Roma in Ireland and encouraged the Government to show similar actions as the Decade within an Irish context. “The reality is that Ireland would be held up to scrutiny and possibly would not qualify for membership of the EU if it applied now given its treatment of Travellers. “
Martin Collins Assistant Director Pavee Point expressed disgust at the relegation of Irish Travellers to the Appendix at the end of Ireland’s CERD Report. “It provides a telling metaphor of the marginalized position of Irish Travellers in public policy in particular and Irish society in general.”
Pavee Point calls for a similar initiative to take place in Ireland and for similar measurable national goals and targets to be set in the key areas of education, employment, health and accommodation. It is clear from our Shadow Report to CERD that we are in need of our own Decade of Traveller Inclusion. ENDS
For Further Information Please Contact Ronnie Fay or Martin Collins on 01 8780255
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Issued by Pavee Point Travellers’ Centre. 46 North Great Charles Street Dublin 1.
01 8780255