Romani CRISS Str. Buzesti nr.19, sec tor 1 Buc uresti, c od postal 011011 Telefon: 021 3107070 021 3107060 • Fax: 0318157623 offic e@romanic riss.org www.romanic riss.org 12 November 2009 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Forum on Minority Issues Second Session Item III on the Provisional Agenda: „Obstacles to effective political participation faced by minorities" Call to Reaffirm Efforts for reducing the Obstacles to Roma Political Participation in Romania =Written . statement submitted by Romani CRISS- non-governmental organization in special consultative status= Participation of Roma minority in elections in Romania,. be it as individual voters .or organized in political formations seeking representation, is seriously obstructed by numerous factors. Roma electorate is characterized by unequal access to education and is facing social exclusion, stigmatization and discrimination. Unequal access to education is a main obstacle to developing political awareness. Phenomenon such as school segregation and discrimination practiced in schools cause the inequality in the field of education, concerning Roma. Another factor which leads to weak political participation of Roma is the lack of information on political matters- programs and ideologies of the political parties. Surveys indicate high rates for the Roma electors who vote according to the community's trends, local leaders' political options, material incentives, etc. The issue of lack of identity papers is an obstacle to Roma political participation also. Regarding the political representation of Roma, we draw the attention on the fact that the Venice Commission has stated; in its opinion no 300/2004 on the Law for the election of local public administration authorities in Romania, that provisions of this Law violate the obligation of the state to guarantee to persons belonging to national minorities the right of equality before the law and of equal protection of the law (Art 4 par. 1 Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities). The Law strongly restricts the possibility of more than one grouping of persons belonging to a' national minority to be represented in authorities at local level and it also blocks political competition with one and the same national minorities, in violation of the principle of pluralistic democracy. In spite' of the Venice Commission .expressed opinion, the law wasn't modified and the debated article remains in force. Anti-Roma remarks by Romania's political leaders