Today, Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) made a submission to the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee for the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
The submission, which can be seen here in full, highlighted the lack of Government action in addressing the stark inequalities experienced by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people experience some of the worst outcomes across Accommodation, Health, Education and Hate. Specifically, the submission addresses:
- The lack of a National Strategy address the inequalities experienced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities;
- The lack of equal access to the European Union Settlement Scheme and its impact on Roma people;
- Part 4 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (the criminalisation of trespass and the strengthening of police powers;
- Health inequalities and access to healthcare;
- The widespread prejudice and race hate experienced by Gypsies, Roma and Travellers, and the role of the media in fuelling hate speech and crimes;
- Education inequalities and barriers to access.
In the submission, FFT consider the Government to be in breach of Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13 and 15 of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
Speaking about the submission, Abbie Kirkby, Public Affairs and Policy Manager at Friends, Families and Travellers said:
“Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people continue to experience stark inequalities across the social indicators.
With the Policing Bill becoming law, these inequalities will be compounded further. It’s now more urgent than ever before for pressure to be put on the Government to fulfil its obligations.”
Notes for Editor
About Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT)
Friends, Families and Travellers is a leading national charity that works to end racism and discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and to protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life.
Media Contact
Sami McLaren, Senior Communications & Campaigns Officer
Tel: 07436 228910 Email: sami@gypsy-traveller.org
Relevant Resources
‘Alternative Report to the Advisory Committee for the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities: Focus Report on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities’. Friends, Families and Travellers. March 2022. View here.
