Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues ANNUAL REPORT 2005 Main Issues k 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 other communities. In Eastern and South-Eastern 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, some Roma and Sinti have been prevented access to employment, education, housing, and health care. In several countries, Roma and Sinti have been the Roma women washing clothes in wheelbarrows in the settlement of Deponija, in Belgrade. MILAN OBRADOVIC T hroughout the OSCE region, particularly in Central and South-Eastern Europe, there are communities of Roma, Sinti, and other groups who, though ethnically distinct, are linked together under the term Gypsies. In addition to ethnic, linguistic, and cultural ties, many of these communities are bound by the overwhelming effects of discrimination 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 amenities, including food, water, and shelter; education; and security. Societies that are split on ethnic lines, defined by inequality, hatred, and exclusion, threaten individual human security, as well as greater regional stability. The ODIHR works in close co-operation with other international organizations, as well as nongovernmental organizations, and national and local governments to try to unite divided communities, to include everyone in public and political life, and to ensure that the dignity of every individual is respected by promoting and protecting their civil and political rights. The main guidelines for supporting the specific rights and opportunities of Roma and related communities are found in the Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area, which was adopted in 2003. In this document, the 55 participating States pledged to take steps to ensure that Roma, Sinti, and other groups are able to participate in all aspects of public and political life, effectively eliminating the obstacles caused by discrimination. With respect to the Action Plan, the ODIHR’s role is twofold: it is tasked with conducting its own activities aimed at improving the situation of Roma and Sinti; and it is also responsible for reporting on how participating States have been fulfilling the promises made in the Action Plan. 73