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.

The Alliance operates under the auspices of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

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130 cities and regions from 29 countries

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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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Declaration against anti-Gypsyism

Mayors and elected representatives of local and regional authorities set a collective sign against anti-Gypsyism

At the 32nd Congress Session (28-30 March), a “Declaration of Mayors and Elected Local and Regional Representatives of Council of Europe Member States against anti-Gypsyism” will be presented by John Warmisham the Congress Spokesperson for Roma Issues. The Congress and the Alliance call mayors and elected representatives of local and regional authorities to sign this Declaration, to affirm their explicit opposition to anti-Gypsyism.

The Declaration is a landmark document to fight anti-Gypsyism at local and regional levels. Initiated by Mr Valeriu Nicolae, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe for Roma Issues, and Mr John Warmisham, Rapporteur for Roma and Traveller Issues of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, it gives local and regional authorities the possibility to clearly position themselves in the fight against anti-Gypsyism.

Anti-Gypsyism continues to be one of the most widespread forms of racism in Europe and is recognised by the Council of Europe as a specific form of racism (see ECRI General Policy Recommendation N°13 on combating anti-Gypsyism and discrimination against Roma). The European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Inclusion of Roma and Travellers (will focus on the fight against anti-Gypsyism, in line with its Strategic Guidelines and the Council of Europe’s Thematic Action Plan for the Inclusion of Roma and Travellers.

The Declaration was so far signed by Gabrielle Neff, President of the Current Affairs Committee of the Congress, John Warmisham, Congress Thematic Spokesperson for Roma Issues and Daniel Florea Mayor of Bucharest (Sector Five). Others have already followed this call for signatures. We ask all municipalities whether they are part of the Alliance or not to sign this Declaration. This can be done online here. Please do inform the Alliance secretariat about your signature under alliance@coe.int.

CoE