A/HRC/29/24 use of those mechanisms by Roma is limited.60 Even at the international level, the Special Rapporteur receives few communications from Roma regarding their rights, and although there have been a number of high-profile Roma rights cases at the European Court of Human Rights,61 there have been relatively few such cases when considered in relation to the significant disadvantages Roma in Europe face. Outside Europe, she has not received any information about Roma accessing complaints mechanisms to address their concerns. 80. In this vein, she insists that States must improve knowledge among Roma about their rights, including about discrimination, and their awareness of complaint mechanisms at both the national and international levels. States should also develop measures that enable Roma complainants to have easy access to such mechanisms. It is equally important that the recommendations of any such mechanisms be swiftly implemented in order to promote a sense of justice and faith in the processes concerned. F. Limited recognition of history and lack of measures to address long-standing prejudices and racism 81. The dispossession of and discrimination against Roma over centuries has led to a situation of intergenerational disadvantage that has often engrained hopelessness in Roma individuals and communities. Across the regions, however, the Special Rapporteur observes that insufficient effort has been made to foster long-term durable intercultural dialogue or to develop initiatives that build trust and foster relationships of mutual respect. 82. The Special Rapporteur believes that much can be achieved through recognition of the cultural contributions of Roma. Positive initiatives in this regard include the promotion and celebration of Romani culture through national history statements, inclusion in school curricula, national days of celebration and the creation of museums and exhibitions. Furthermore, historical narratives are central to the identity of Roma communities, and a better understanding by the majority society of the richness of Roma culture is an essential demand of Roma communities in every region. Nevertheless, the history and contributions of Roma culture are rarely adequately acknowledged or properly promoted. Rather, what remain pervasive are biased, distorted stereotypes of Roma that contribute to a sense of alienation and exclusion, especially among young people. 83. The lack of recognition of the fate of the Roma under the Nazi regime is often referred to as the “forgotten Holocaust” and has been identified as a major obstacle to restoring dignity and respect for the human rights of Roma worldwide. Although 2 August is officially Roma Holocaust Remembrance Day, there is a need to continue to bring heightened public attention to ensuring that the Roma Holocaust becomes part of public consciousness. G. Insufficient funding, and bureaucratic obstacles 84. The Special Rapporteur notes the importance of direct, efficient funding mechanisms for Roma organizations. However, even within the European Union, where significant funds are dedicated to addressing Roma disadvantage, challenges remain. Firstly, within the European Union, not all of the available funds for Roma are being spent or efficiently invested and the level of expenditure on this issue, especially by new member 60 61 See http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra_uploads/854-EUMIDIS_RIGHTS_AWARENESS_EN.PDF, pp. 9–10. See www.echr.coe.int/Documents/FS_Roma_ENG.pdf. 19