Speech by President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen at the opening of the European Roma and Travelers Forum in Strasbourg on 15 December 2004

It is always a pleasure for me to visit the Council of Europe. This time I am especially pleased to participate in the opening of the European Roma and Travelers Forum. I think we have good reason to say that today will go down in history as a landmark in promoting human rights.

Nearly four years ago, in January 2001, I voiced the idea of establishing a European consultative body to promote the position of the Roma. Many people have worked to bring this about. I would like to thank you all and those not here today very warmly. The Roma's own contribution and spirit of cooperation have been essentially important to reach this goal. Governments have also been very flexible and cooperative. The role of the French government in becoming the project's second parent has been especially important.

The European Roma and Travelers Forum is an organ with a new type of structure to promote human rights and it is good proof of the power of cooperation. Establishing the forum in connection with the Council of Europe is also proof of the Council of Europe's vitality and ability to lead the way on the path of human rights. I believe that the forum will also help strengthen the position and the profile of the Council of Europe as a genuinely pan-European human rights organization.

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People have often asked me why the rights of the Roma have such a prominent place in Finland's human rights policies. I would say that the reason to this lies simply in the fact that although human rights are the same for everyone, they are not always put equally into practice. The Roma, as a group, are more likely to face discrimination and their socio-economic position everywhere is weaker than that of others. That is why we need to pay special attention to this group's equality.

We all certainly agree that everyone should be able to participate in decision-making that concerns themselves. We in Finland have had good experience with consultative bodies for example among the Roma and Saami. The Advisory Board on Romani Affairs, in which representatives of the Roma and administration work together, was established in 1956. My own experience, from my tenure as the chair person of this body, was very positive.

Besides the national organs the Saami have a supranational body. The Saami Council is a representative body in which the Saami in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia work together. This regional body has also produced encouraging results. The Saami's expertise and experience as well as useful solutions and practices can be quickly passed on to governments in this way.

Besides Roma’s own organizations many European organizations are working actively to improve the position of the Roma. It is only natural that the Roma themselves, as the best experts, should take part in planning and monitoring activities. Up to now the Roma have been mainly the focus of activities, but from now on they will have their own opportunity to participate. The forum offers a way to convey the Roma's views and expertise to decision-makers. This is beneficial for the Roma as well as governments and international organizations.

Discrimination against the Roma is naturally part of a larger phenomenon, racism and intolerance. This phenomenon is unfortunately familiar in all the member states of the Council of Europe. Internationalization and globalization have taken place very rapidly and many people have had to face new phenomena in their lives very unprepared. Internationalization has dispelled many people’s prejudices, but at the same time discrimination and racism have thrived. Intractable global threats - such as terrorism, international crime, human trafficking and social exclusion – have increased intolerance and present a special challenge for human rights. In working against even the most difficult threats we must insist on respect for human rights.

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When we speak about the situation of the Roma, I believe it is important for us not to focus solely on problems. It is important to note how enriching the Roma's own culture is to our societies and Europe as a whole. Although the Roma have faced discrimination and difficulties, they are also a wonderful example of how to survive and preserve a rich culture. We have a lot to learn from one another.

An inter-cultural dialogue is most genuine when it takes place at the grassroots level, the level of civil society and individuals. The task of the governments and organizations is to help create the proper conditions for a direct dialogue. The basis for interaction and dialogue between cultures lies in the universality of human rights.

When we recognize that all individuals at birth have equal rights and are equal, we can genuinely respect cultural diversity and enrich our European cultural heritage. Common values based on human rights and democracy offer a strong foundation for interaction.

The European Roma and Travelers Forum is a good example of this. In preparing for the forum the Roma and the governments have paid special attention to ensuring democracy in the forum's activities. An important part of the democratic principles is to draw attention to gender equality and promote women's equal participation.

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Today is important for all of us. This forum is a momentous step in improving the position of the Roma - and in strengthening the position of the Council of Europe. I believe that the forum will also be beneficial as an expert body and cooperation partner to the OSCE and the European Union, for example. The forum cannot resolve every problem. In the beginning it might even make some problems more visible, but this is important as only visible problems can be solved. I hope that this day will turn a new page in the history of Roma and a good start to making the Roma's voice heard in European decision-making.

I wish the European Roma and Travelers Forum the very best of success.