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The "Alliance" fights discrimination against Roma at the local and regional levels, promotes their inclusion and raises awareness of these communities among local and regional authorities.

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The term “Roma and Travellers” is used at the Council of Europe to encompass the wide diversity of the groups covered by the work of the Council of Europe in this field including Roma, Sinti/Manush, Calé, Kaale, Romanichals, Boyash/Rudari, Balkan Egyptians (Egyptians and Ashkali), Eastern groups (Dom, Lom and Abdal), groups such as Travellers, Yenish, and the populations designated under the administrative term “Gens du voyage”, as well as persons who identify themselves as Gypsies.

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John WARMISHAM: “The Romani language is under threat”

John WARMISHAM: “The Romani language is under threat”

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“Due to the persistent risk of racist attacks against Roma, both verbally and physically, many Roma hide their identity by not speaking the Romani language,” says John WARMISHAM (United Kingdom, SOC), Congress Spokesperson on Roma and Traveller Issues, marking the World Day of Romani Language on 5 November 2018.

“The Romani language and the Romani culture is at the heart of the European culture”, explained John WARMISHAM. “Almost every European society has been influenced by taking over words or expressions from Romani”.

In English the word “Lollipop” (expression for a certain kind of candy) derives from the Romani “loly phabai”, meaning red apple, or the word “pal” (expression for a friend), derives from the Romani word “phral”, meaning “brother”.

“Due to the constant risk of discrimination the Romani language is under threat”, stated John WARMISHAM. He invited mayors and regional representatives from all over Europe to take a stance against the discrimination of Roma and sign the Declaration against anti-Gypsyism.

The World day of Romani language promotes education, language and culture of Roma people and supports multicultural values. It was first initiated by the Croatian Parliament in 2012 and proclaimed World Day of Romani language by UNESCO during its 38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO in 2015.