Speaking at a workshop organized by the government to address issues facing the Roma, Çelik said it is impossible for a country to be powerful if it neglects its people’s problems. “It is a moral duty to fight against centuries-old discrimination, intolerant attitudes and prejudice against the Roma. In principle, we cannot ignore discrimination stemming from cultural, religious or ethnic differences. The right to equal citizenship is among the indispensable rights of all our citizens,” the minister said. “It is for this reason that this first meeting with the Roma is an important step for our country’s future.”
It is finally the turn of Turkey’s Roma community to bring its issues to the discussion table with the state, following similar initiatives with other minority groups like Alevis and Kurds. A meeting brought together 120 Roma representatives from across the nation with State Minister Faruk Çelik and other government officials |
After launching the Kurdish initiative and a series of workshops with the purpose of recognizing and finding solutions to problems faced by the Alevi community, the government decided to convene the first Roma workshop. Representatives of Turkey’s Roma community in İstanbul, Edirne, Kırşehir, Artvin, Van and several other cities, 120 people in all, attended the event.
“This is the first time that the Roma of Turkey have come together with the state to voice their problems,” said Ömer Ekşi, the workshop moderator. Minister Çelik also stressed that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) prefers to pursue a strategy that does not delay resolving the country’s problems but rather faces them head on and makes great strides to reach a solution.
Taking every possible risk, the government launched its Kurdish initiative, Çelik said, adding that the government’s prime motive is to ensure the happiness of the country’s 72 million citizens.
“We cannot ignore the problems of our Roma community, ranked among the most disadvantaged groups within the country. We came together here today with the Roma to understand their problems and find possible solutions,” Çelik said, adding that despite the fact that the Roma have experienced great suffering in the course of history, they remain firm.
The minister said the Roma favor protecting the peaceful atmosphere in the country. “Since the day they came to Anatolia, they have always stood for peace, friendship and fraternity instead of conflict, fighting and unrest. This should be taken seriously,” he said.
Touching upon on the serious difficulties the Roma face in housing, education, health and job opportunities, the minister underlined that these difficulties work to perpetuate the disadvantaged position the Roma face within the society. “The Roma did not by accident fall among the disadvantaged groups. [The way they are treated] has made this almost their destiny,” he said. He also praised the Roma for attaching great importance to family and solidarity in addition to managing to preserve their traditions and culture despite encountering much prejudice throughout history.
Benzer Haberler 
National
