Hindus have welcomed European Parliament for resolution binding minimum standards at European Union level to improve the plight of Roma (Gypsies), saying it is a “step in the right direction.”
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that instead of talks, resolutions, conventions, announcements, etc.; it was now the time to do something concrete on the ground to bring solid benefits to Roma in Europe, who were facing apartheid conditions.The resolution on Wednesday (adopted by 576 votes to 32 with 60 abstentions) reportedly claims that Roma should benefit from binding minimum standards to improve their access to employment, education, housing and healthcare; and also calls for better protection of fundamental rights. Roma people have suffered systematic discrimination and are struggling against “an intolerable degree of exclusion” as well as human rights violations, severe stigmatization and discrimination in public and private life, it says and adds that the “questionable repatriations” of Roma that have been taking place in several Member States have created “fear and anxiety amongst the Roma population as well as worrying levels of racism and discrimination”.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that European Roma, numbering around 15 million, reportedly regularly faced social exclusion, racism, substandard education, hostility, joblessness, rampant illness, inadequate housing, lower life expectancy, unrest, living on desperate margins, stereotypes, mistrust, rights violations, discrimination, marginalization, appalling living conditions, prejudice, human rights abuse, etc. Something needed to be urgently done to end this maltreatment going on for long time, Zed added.
