CELTIC LEAGUE: NEED FOR EU AND NATIONAL ACTION TO TACKLE RACISM AGAINST ROMA
"In my experience, racism against Travellers has definitely got worse over the past 40 years. In some bits of Europe, this is due to the fall of Communism and rise of nationalism, but in the UK, it's probably linked with anti-immigration feelings". This quote from Grattan Puxon, founder of the Gypsy Council and the author of a number of books on the Traveller community, was made in a recent article in the United Kingdom Independent newspaper. (See link):
Grattan Puxon is correct and events in Italy recently have highlighted just how vulnerable members of the Roma community are when xenophobia permeates the upper echelons of National government.
However, he is wrong to equate all nationalism with hostility to the Gypsy or Traveller community. The Celtic League which essentially links Celtic nationalists on the Atlantic arc of Europe has long recognised the hostility exhibited towards the Traveller community.
In our report produced almost two decades ago, "Human Rights on the Celtic Fringe", we highlighted the ongoing discrimination the Traveller community suffered, particularly in Ireland. Since that time we have also highlighted abuse, prejudice and discrimination in the United Kingdom. (See below);
It is appropriate for the Gypsy and Traveller community to highlight perceived increases in racism and discrimination which hopefully, in the European context, can be tackled head on by the European Union and National governments.
The Celtic League, as in the past, will be happy to continue to support any initiatives that tackles bigotry perpetrated against the Traveller community.
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
07/07/08
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