Last month, Friends, Families and Travellers, GATE Herts, Minority Rights Group Intl. and Roma Support Group submitted a joint report to the United Nations’ Fourth Cycle Universal Periodic Review.
The report, which can be seen here, highlights the Government’s failure to uphold the human rights of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in the UK and the hostile legislation which will further deteriorate these rights.
The report forms part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, where United Nations member states have their human rights records analysed.
The submission reports on how the United Kingdom remains a State in which Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people experience stark inequalities, despite its UPR commitments to improve human rights.
Key areas covered in the submission are, but not limited to:
- The lack of any progress on a National Strategy to address the inequalities experienced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities;
- The Government’s failure to prioritise provision of Gypsy and Traveller sites and stopping places, and the criminalisation of trespass and strengthening of police powers;
- The stark health inequalities experienced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people, and the States’ failure to address these across many indicators;
- The hate crime and hate speech experienced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people across the media and wider society, and the lack of adequate protection available.
- The poor educational outcomes of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and young people, and the failure to suitably address these;
- The lack of equal access to the European Union Settlement Scheme for Roma people residing in the UK post-Brexit.
Commenting on the submission, Abbie Kirkby, Public Affairs and Policy Manager at Friends, Families and Travellers said:
“Once again we have submitted evidence to the United Nations highlighting the UK Government’s failing human rights record when it comes to addressing inequalities experienced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people.
Despite the ratification of a number of international human rights treaties and the countless recommendations from their Committees, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities continue to face prejudice and discrimination in accessing even the most basic of services and in the enjoyment of rights. We call on UN member states to recognise this and urge the UK Government to address these pressing inequalities.”
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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
‘Shadow Report to the Universal Periodic Review Working Group and UN Member States: Focus Report on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities, March 2022, joint submission’. Friends, Families and Travellers, GATE Herts, Minority Rights Group International, Roma Support Group. March 2022. View here.
