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1st LD Writethru: EU expresses commitment to improving Roma integration

Xinhua, August 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Commission on Tuesday commemorated the Roma Holocaust Memorial Day, saying it remains committed to improving Roma integration.

European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Commissioner Vera Jourova said in a statement that the holocaust of the Roma is an under-taught and under-recognized topic.

"People must not forget that till today there are too many Roma facing discrimination, and who are victims of hate speech and hate crime in Europe," they said.

"Against a backdrop of increasingly divisive rhetoric, hate speech and hate crime, it is important to recall these dark moments in our history and learn the lessons of the past. Many people have little or no knowledge that the Roma were targeted by the Nazi regime," the statement added.

The European Parliament's resolution of April 15, 2015 officially recognized Roma Holocaust Memorial Day.

"We hope that all member states will recognize it," said the statement.

On the night of Aug. 2 to 3, 1944, around 3,000 Roma men, women and children from the "Gypsy family camp" of Auschwitz-Birkenau were murdered in gas chambers. They were among hundreds of thousands of victims of the Roma genocide, killed by the Nazis and their allies. The Roma were one of many groups who fell victim to the holocaust.

Roma is the term commonly used in the European Union(EU) policy documents and discussions, although it encompasses diverse groups that include names like Roma, Gypsies, Travellers, Ashkali and Sinti.

According to the EU official website, the Roma people are Europe's largest ethnic minority. Of an estimated 10-12 million in the whole of Europe, some six million live in the EU, most of them EU citizens.

However, many Roma in the EU are victims of prejudice and social exclusion, despite the fact that EU countries have banned discrimination.

Therefore, the European Commission pledged to remain committed to improving Roma integration. Endit