Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues T hroughout the OSCE region, particularly in Central and South-Eastern Europe, there are communities of Roma, Sinti, Travellers, and other groups who are often referred to as gypsies. In addition to ethnic, linguistic, and cultural ties, many of these communities are bound by the overwhelming effects of the multiple forms of discrimination they encounter in all aspects of their lives. Whether in the form of passive intolerance or outright hatred, discrimination has pushed these communities to the fringes of society, where many exist with limited access to life’s basic necessities, including food, water, secure residence, education, health care, and employment. Societies that are split along ethnic lines, defined by inequality, hatred, and exclusion, threaten individual human security, as well as greater regional stability. In recognition of this threat, the OSCE adopted, in 2003, an Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area. Main Issues the perpetrators, who go unreported or receive mild sentences. kk Security of residence: For many Roma, obtaining a legal residence with secure living conditions is a prerequisite to the recognition and fulfilment of other rights. Without an address, it is often impossible to register for public services or engage in lawful income-generating activities. Problems that have resulted from insecure residence include forced evictions, lack of secure land tenure, lack of civil registration, and the inability of Roma and Sinti children to attend school. kk Participation in public and political life: The discrimination faced by Roma and Sinti populations has prevented them from playing a significant role in the public and political life of the societies in which they live. This is often compounded by a lack of awareness among Roma and Sinti of their ability to influence their own circumstances through political participation and the benefits that could be achieved through participation. Particularly affected are Elzbieta Mirga kk Racism and discrimination: Periods of profound political change can expose divisions in society, and the resulting tensions are often expressed in terms of racism or discrimination against vulnerable communities. In Eastern and SouthEastern Europe, the transition of the past fifteen years has often seen a rise in hostility aimed at Roma, Sinti, and related groups. As a result, Roma and Sinti have been prevented from gaining access to employment, education, housing, and health care. They are also increasingly the victims of racially motivated crimes, and often suffer abuse at the hands of the police. Such crimes are often exacerbated by the refusal or inadequacy of the responsible authorities to protect Roma and by the relative impunity of This photo and the one on p. 62 are of girls from a Roma settlement in the Maszkowice region of Poland. Annual Report 2007 61