Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues Anna Papadopoulou (right), a human rights investigator from the Office of the Greek Ombudsman, speaks with a Roma woman in the settlement of Votanicos, in central OSCE/JENNIFER MITCHELL Athens, in November. The ODIHR is working to increase the participation of Roma and Sinti in public life at all levels and stages of the decision-making process, in particular when dealing with initiatives that concern them. This is done through promoting dialogue between Roma and Sinti communities and policy-makers in local, regional, and national authorities. Local and regional task forces of Roma representatives have been created to work with local, regional, and national elected officials, in particular to promote awareness and implementation of the OSCE Action Plan. For several years, the ODIHR has been helping Roma and Sinti to participate in OSCE election observation missions as both long- and shortterm observers. This serves the dual purpose of diversifying election missions and helping Roma representatives gain an in-depth understanding of the electoral process. The fact that these individuals are now regularly seconded to OSCE election observation missions points to the success of this project in mainstreaming Roma into the election observation process. For the first time, a Roma analyst for national minorities was also part of the core team during election obser- 78 vation missions to the parliamentary elections in Albania, Bulgaria, and Moldova. IV. Ensuring that fundamental rights of Roma and Sinti are respected in crisis and post-crisis situations Roma and Sinti communities in crisis and postcrisis situations often face discrimination while they are internally displaced persons (IDPs) or refugees, which can translate into unacceptable living conditions, inadequate access to health and education facilities, and a lack of representation when decisions are made that affect their right to safe and sustainable return to their country of origin. The ODIHR is engaged in a number of projects that seek to involve Roma and Sinti representatives and communities in relations with local authorities in crisis and post-crisis situations. Special emphasis has been placed on ensuring that proper consultation takes place in decision-making matters that affect their lives. Project activities focus on Kosovo and the particular set of issues faced by IDPs and refugees. In particular, the ODIHR has supported Roma and Sinti NGOs and community representatives ANNUAL REPORT 2005