Dear member’s states representatives, experts and delegates, I am addressing you on behalf of Bulgarian NGO serving the most marginalized minority in Europe – The Roma. Facing discriminatory attitudes, trapped in poverty, unaware of their rights, Bulgarian Roma minority falls prey to votes shopping and cheap promises during the election process. While shortcomings can be found towards effective political participation for the Roma minority at the Governmental level, empowerment of the minority community members to equally participate in the decision making process at the local level, successfully attains at regaining trust in democratic processes and institutions among the Roma minority, assuring adequate and efficient public policies towards their problems and foster Roma efficient involvement in local politics. Implementing project supported by the OHCHR we succeed to establish an advisory and a consultative body (Municipality Council on Ethnic and Demographic Issues) to the Municipal Council of Polski Trambesh to offer a forum for consultation on developing, monitoring and evaluating local programs and strategies targeting Roma. Thus to serve as providing an avenue for the local Roma not only to present their existing needs and problems to the Municipal Council but

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