International Roma Day 2019

Thank you very much for inviting me to join you today in addressing key prospects of Roma inclusion in Montenegro.

In 2015, all 193 member states of the UN adopted a vision of a better world – the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the boldest plan ever for brighter future – for a life with prosperity and dignity for all. The plan is based on a strong pledge of all nations, including Montenegro, to leave no one behind. Subsequently, Montenegro developed a National Strategy for Sustainable Development to implement the global plan.

But some people are still left far behind. In Montenegro, Roma community are among them. No doubt, it the most disadvantaged and socially excluded group in the country. As a result, all basic health, education and social indicators for Roma are well behind the rest of the population.

We can see that on a daily basis. Even though there are no official statistics, we are witnessing a high number of Roma and Egyptian children who live and work on the streets, who are particularly vulnerable to all forms of exploitation, including child begging.

The greatest barrier for Roma to break the circle of deprivation is education – a major tool for stepping out of poverty. According to latest MICS survey from 2013 – only 19% of Roma children attend preschool, 58% attend primary and only 6% attend secondary education, indicating an extremely high rate of drop-out. For most of them, secondary education is a prerequisite for acquiring qualifications for employment.

In such a vicious circle of poverty various kinds of human rights violations emerge, including family violence, gender inequality and, maybe the most striking one – child marriages. In Roma and Egyptian communities, dear friends, almost 1 in 3 women aged 15-19 is married. In poverty-stricken households, early marriage is often seen as an opportunity to have one less mouth to feed or provide for. However, for a married girl, the odds of finishing school decrease and she is more likely to experience domestic violence and also become pregnant during adolescence.

Roma are also left behind in terms of employment. They face multiple barriers in participating in the labour market. According to the RCC’s Balkan Barometer from 2018, Montenegro has the lowest percentage of companies employing Roma in the region – only 3%, which is an area requiring significant improvement. The insufficient stock and accumulation of human, physical, financial, and social capital have hindered the ability of Roma households to generate income over the life cycle.

These are just some areas in which Roma are left behind, which should alarm us all to address them more seriously.

First of all, we need to ensure that all Roma girls and boys go to school, because only education can provide young Roma with opportunities in a long run. Also, we are bound to diligently investigate and sanction the cases of child marriage, as none of 50 reported cases of forced marriage led to an indictment. It is also critical to offer Roma and Egyptian girls and boys opportunities and choices to develop their aspirations and find alternatives to child marriage.

Stronger programmes of economic support and incentives to Roma individuals and their families need to be in place.

Also, I would like to call upon the Parliamentary Board to pay close attention to implementation of recommendations of Istanbul Convention experts` group (GREVIO), issued in October last year, where Montenegro is strongly encouraged to ensure access to specialized support services, such as safe accommodation with psycho-social support for victims of forced marriages, and to eliminate discrimination of all Roma women and girls seeking protection from violence.

It is also critical to hear the voice of Roma – to work closely with them when developing new laws and policies concerning their future.

The legislation needs to be in place to ensure their full access to civil documentation and regulation of legal status for those in need, as well as birth registration, but also prevention of risk of statelessness.

Yes, the problem is complex. And that’s why a comprehensive approach requiring political will, inter-sectoral cooperation and a long-term vision is needed.

Dear friends, on this Roma day let us remind ourselves that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, religion, nationality, or any other status. This right given at birth is what we have to uphold to and what the society has the responsibility to safeguard and protect.

As the representative of the United Nations Secretary General in Montenegro, it is my duty to call upon all to intensify our efforts to fulfil the pledge we took – to leave no one behind.

Thank you.