RES/26/4 Protection of Roma

GE.14-08218 (E)

*1408218*

Human Rights Council Twenty-sixth session Agenda item 3 Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council

26/4 Protection of Roma1

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action,

Recalling the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,

Recalling also the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities,

Recalling further general recommendation XXVII of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on discrimination against Roma,

Bearing in mind Commission on Human Rights resolution 1992/65 entitled “Protection of Roma (Gypsies)” of 4 March 1992,

Taking note of the efforts of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the Special Rapporteur on minority issues to fight against discrimination and the social exclusion of Roma,

1 The term “Roma” used throughout the present text refers to Roma, Sinti, Kale and Travellers, and

aims to cover the wide diversity of groups concerned, including groups that identify themselves as “Gypsies”.

Recognizing that Roma have faced, for more than five centuries, widespread and enduring discrimination, rejection, social exclusion and marginalization all over the world, in particular in Europe, and in all areas of life,

Expressing concern that Roma in many parts of the world continue to be socially and economically marginalized, which undermines the respect of their human rights, propagates prejudice and impedes their full participation in society and the effective exercise of civic responsibilities,

Recognizing the existence of anti-Gypsyism as a specific form of racism and intolerance, leading to hostile acts ranging from exclusion to violence against Roma communities,

Deploring the recent rise of anti-Gypsyism, anti-Roma rhetoric and violent attacks against Roma, which constitutes a major obstacle to the successful social inclusion of Roma and the full respect of their human rights,

Recognizing that the primary responsibility for combating discrimination against Roma and for promoting their inclusion lies with the States of which Roma are nationals or long-term legal residents, while the role of the international community is to support and assist the efforts made at the regional, national and, in particular, local levels,

Bearing in mind that the challenges faced by States in handling Roma issues may have cross-border implications,

Noting the work done by States, regional organizations, national human rights institutions and civil society organizations to promote and protect the rights of Roma,

1. Condemns unequivocally the persistent manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance against Roma, including violence, stigmatization and social exclusion;

2. Recognizes the need to carry out a comprehensive study of the human rights situation of Roma worldwide, with a particular focus on the phenomenon of anti-Gypsyism;

3. Invites the Special Rapporteur on minority issues to prepare the above- mentioned study with concrete recommendations in consultation with States, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations, regional arrangements, and relevant special procedures and treaty bodies, and to submit it to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-ninth session;

4. Also invites the Special Rapporteur, while making recommendations for future thematic subjects of the Forum on Minority Issues, to take the present resolution into account;

5. Decides to be seized of the matter.

37th meeting 26 June 2014

[Adopted without a vote.]