An ODIHR delegation outside a destroyed Roma home in the village of Tatárszentgyörgy during a fieldassessment visit to Hungary, 27 June. (OSCE/Andrzej Mirga) 50 — have perpetuated the inequality, social exclusion and, sometimes, hatred that these communities face. ODIHR works to support participating States in their efforts to overcome the discrimination and the social exclusion that limit these communities access to rights and services, including food, water, a secure place of residence, education, health care and employment. Activities The Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti in the OSCE Area provides most of the basis for ODIHR’s activities in this field, which in 2009 concentrated on the following areas: 55Combating racism and discrimination; 55Roma and Sinti in crisis and post-crisis situations; 55Improving access to education; 55Enhancing participation in public and political life; and 55Policy development. Combating Racism and Discrimination In response to a series of violent attacks against Roma individuals, families and property in Hungary in 2008 and early 2009, including the murder of several people, ODIHR conducted a field assessment visit to the country from 25 June to 3 July. The visiting delegation also included representatives of the HCNM, the OSCE’s Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues Strategic Police Matters Unit and the Personal Representative on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination. The field visit aimed at assessing the human rights situation of Roma by looking specifically at the underlying context and factors leading to the attacks, measures taken by the authorities to respond to and prevent further attacks and violence, the impact of state policies and programmes on the progress of Roma integration, and areas in which ODIHR could support the Hungarian Government’s efforts. During its visit, the delegation met with representatives of the relevant national and local state authorities, police, the Roma community and civil society. A report on the field assessment visit will be published in 2010. ODIHR has paid close attention in recent years to the rise of extremist manifestations of racism, intolerance and hate-motivated violence against Roma in Europe. In order to raise awareness of these issues and to analyze the potential threat to social cohesion and security, ODIHR organized the conference on “Extremism and the Roma and Sinti in Europe: Challenges, Risks and Responses” in London, in September. The conference brought together academics to analyze a number of issues, including the form and extent of anti-Roma racism and violence in Europe and public anti-Roma rhetoric in periods of social hardship and economic recession. A selection of academic papers submitted for the event will form the basis of a book to be published in early 2010. The serious human rights challenges faced by Roma when migrating or exercising their right to freedom of movement, together with attendant security ODIHR Annual Report 2009