BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

13/02/2009

Partnership with Lukashenka!

Very frequently, unfortunately, Belarusian citizens have become spectators of different report on Belarusian TV about Roma. All of them are negatives. In 2006 I referred with official compliance on journalist Victor Chamkovski in regards to his film "Roma camp goes to jail".

Everyday we have a chance to observe cases when journalists in order to raise circulation distributing false information about Roma. 11 of February Belarusian TV showed report about 2 Roma women's who were detained by police. Even on stage on detention, they haven't been accused so far, only detained but report done in accusative manner with a lot emphasize to minority to what that women's belong to. All that report's are done on purpose. And there purpose is to form idea of enemy. I have to say, that's official government strategy. Discrimination against Roma is official policy in Belarus.

In 2007 Belarusian government signed agreement with OSCE to implement OSCE Roma working plan. According to that agreement OSCE and Belarusian government agreed to hold some activity in respect of Roma minority in Belarus. So far, we were witnesses only about some OSCE activity. Lukashenka didn't fulfill his part of agreement. Extent all 2008 there was no activity from Belarusian government toward Roma minority. I would say, it wasn't even planed activity. But in the same time, agreement still exists. Therefore, I initiated official note to Committee on Religious and National affairs to clear up that question which concerns me personally because I was one who initiated discussion about Roma minority in Belarus. We all hoped that Lukashenka would follow his pledges in face of international community. Responsibility to follow OSCE standards is great obligation taken by Lukashenka himself. Nobody forced him.

So far, Roma minority lives in terrible circumstances. Percentage of unemployment people among Roma is growing day by day. Now its approximately about 97 percent. There worst living conditions are in Gomel region. I have to noticed that percent of people among Roma who didn't finished secondary school is similar with data of unemployment. There is a lot of work to do, a lot of problems to solve. Roma are in oppressed position in Belarus. There is no discrimination against Union of Poles and that "noise" around them is total fake from the very beginning till nowadays. So-called "permitted" business-projects like Milinkevich or Kozulin creating illusion of opposition but not opposition itself. Opposition political movement as a matter of fact doing nothing and we are not going to rely upon them. Lukashenka lies, he lies 24/7.

Roma are suffering from current political regime more than others.

Some questions should be answered. What is the reason for it? What is the reason to neglect taken obligations? What is the reason for ignore basic principles of partnership? It means not only rights and responsibilities as well.

I have to say, that situation with Roma minority in Belarus very best reflection about genuine Lukashenka's intentions. Belarus tired from Lukashenka.

Kalinin Nicolas

Delegate in European Roma Travelers Forum

Forum of European Roma Young People

Source:

http://www.dzeno.cz/?c_id=17720

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