A/HRC/7/19/Add.2
page 20
relocate the bronze statue and its hastily execution are indicative of the lack of a clear and longterm vision of bridging the gap in memory and symbols between the communities, in particular
with the Russian-speaking community.
81. Despite its small size, the Roma community in Estonia, as in most European countries,
suffers from stigmatization and structural discrimination that manifests specifically in the realms
of education, employment and cultural stereotypes. Although some efforts have been made by
the Government, they have not been able to redress the vulnerable conditions faced by Roma
residents. Apart from the provision of basic economic, social and cultural rights, authorities
should focus on projects that target not only the community itself, but society as a whole. One of
the main reasons for the marginalization of Roma citizens is intolerance and lack of acceptance
by society at large, which can only be redressed through a national strategy that promotes
cultural diversity and acceptance of multiculturalism and recognizes the historical role of the
Roma community in Estonia as well as its tragic fate during the Second World War.
82. Estonia is currently witnessing an embryonic process that has been taking place in many
other parts of Europe: the resurgence of racist crimes by extremist organizations, particularly
neo-Nazi groups. If not curbed promptly by effective Government action, this problem will tend
to become more widespread, particularly in view of the gradual arrival in Estonia of new waves
of non-European migration. Effective action needs to focus both on stopping any form of
incitement to racial, ethnic, national or religious hatred whilst criminally prosecuting any case of
racist aggression.
83. These new migratory trends also raise more profound challenges for the country to
overcome concerning the integration of racially, ethnically and religiously different minorities.
Apart from the basic respect of the fundamental rights, broad efforts should be made to
effectively integrate peoples bearing different traditions, ensuring respect for their culture,
religion and customs.
84. The Special Rapporteur notes that Estonia, as the other Baltic countries, is currently at a
turning point in history. The legacy of Soviet domination and occupation has left scars that have
yet to be healed, profoundly affecting the dynamics of inter-community relations. The main
challenge Estonia currently faces is to build a democratic, egalitarian and interactive
multicultural society which takes into account both the need to reassert the continuity of its
national identity, severely shaken and eroded by the occupation, whilst recognizing and
respecting the rights of the minorities that arrived during and after the occupation. In order to
overcome the identity tensions fostered by this process, Estonia will have to show political
vision, legal vigilance and cultural creativity to develop a long-lasting sense of belonging and
living together that bonds its different communities. In this process, two main principles should
be followed: respect for the historical truth and non-discrimination of minorities. To fully
implement this strategy, national and regional factors will be of key relevance as far as the
Russian-speaking communities are concerned. The full respect of their rights – in terms of
citizenship, language, culture and the eradication of any form of discrimination – is closely
linked to their involvement and participation in the process of a new multicultural nation that is
fully respected by all countries in the region.