Tolerance.ro: Russian elections: the members of the European Parliament call for new free and fair elections

After the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton voiced "serious concerns" about the parliamentary elections which took place in Russia, this week, the MEPs called for new free and fair elections and an immediate and full investigation of all reports of fraud and intimidation in the Russian elections held on 4 December, while welcoming demonstrations in Russia as an expression of the will of the people in a resolution passed on Wednesday.

"MEPs stress that the running of the election showed that Russia does not meet election standards as defined by the OSCE, and express deep concern about reports of fraud and the preliminary findings of the OSCE/ODIHR report on procedural violations, lack of media impartiality, harassment of independent monitors and lack of separation between party and state".

Details: http://tolerance.ro/news/russian-elections-the-members-of-the-european-parliament-call-for-new-free-and-fair-elections/

Youthvoice.ro/English: The legislative proposal for volutary sterilization (Slovakia) is criticized for being aimed against roma (gipsy) comunity

The Slovak Labour Ministry recently released its draft law on socially-excluded communities that aims to create MAPS of socially-excluded communities living in poverty and suffering from other maladies linked to exclusion from mainstream society which the minister say will be used as a tool to combat marginalisation.

The Labour Ministry stated in releasing its draft law on socially-excluded communities. The draft, generally viewed by many observers as a positive.

The draft attempts, they say, to ameliorate some of the problems faced by marginalised citizens, also includes some specific proposals that several MPs from the coalition government have already objected to, such as cost-free voluntary sterilisations and contraceptives.

Details: http://youthvoice.ro/english/

YouthVoice.ro/English: Summer School | Understanding International Criminal Law, Sibiu, Romania

The experience of the past century bitterly reminds us of the atrocities that took place in different parts of the world in a state of impunity from national authorities and international community. The brutal legacy of the last 100 years called for the need to establish a new field of law that would allow international bodies to exercise jurisdiction over individuals for a series of very grave crimes that “deeply shocked the conscience of humanity”.

We warmly invite you to this summer school in order to study a field about which little is known, but represents an unprecedented milestone in the development of international law. In the course of the event, you will be guided through the essential notions of international criminal law.

The interactive and practice-oriented approach provides the best conditions to acquire knowledge and insight on the subject matter, while the inter-cultural dimension allows you to improve your appreciation of other peoples. Therefore, this summer seminar will greatly contribute to your development, by broadening your horizons and your understanding of the international legal system and also by opening the way to a possible career in the field.

The event is scheduled to take place 23-31 July 2011 in Sibiu, Romania. It will consist of a series of daily lectures and seminars, followed by a simulation of the International Criminal Court.

Details: http://youthvoice.ro/english/

TimocPress.info/en: STATEMENT of the Committee for Human Rights, Negotin, Serbia

Negotin, Serbia/TimocPress - The Week Against Racism on March 14th to 21st in Negotin have started talks and preparations for marking of the International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

In memory of the 69 people who protested against the racist policy of apartheid and therefore killed March 21st 1960 in the South African city Sharpville, the General Assembly of the Council of Europe (1966) has decided that March 21st each year is designated as International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

In the small hall of the Municipal Assembly on Monday March 21st 2011 in Negotin, from 11 to 12h, at a press conference will speak the representatives of:
- Municipalities Negotin
- Working body for gender equality of Negotin
- Member of the Municipal Council of Negotin
- Human Rights Negotin

Network Committee for Human Rights in Serbia CHRIS through the existence of local offices (in Novi Sad, Valjevo, Nis, Novi Pazar and Negotin), mark the International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination with the slogan RESPECT DIVERSITY ERADICATE DISCRIMINATION!

At Djordje Stanojevic Square on Monday March 21st 2011, from 12 to 14h, in the realisation of the Committee for Human Rights Negotin, will be distributed printed educational and promotional materials (Calendar with 12 winners of the fight against discrimination and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Law on Prohibition …), and in direct contact with citizens to remind us of the fact that we all have to fight for human rights and the principle of equality.

Action is being implemented under the project entitled “Human rights for all”, supported by the Fund for Open Society in Belgrade.

Source: www.TimocPress.info/en

Please see below the FOTO galery of the project “Play it right”

For the FOTO galery of the project “Play it right” click here!

Please see attached the brochure of the “Play it right” project

For the brochure of the “Play it right” project click here !

Gypsy or Rroma minority in Europe want to change their name again and they want to call themselves as “INDIROMA” minority

Gypsy or Rroma minority in Europe want to change their name again and they want to call themselves as “INDIROMA” minority

The Rroma minority that lives in many European countries are called like Cigano, Gitan, Gitanos, Gypsies, Zingaro, Zigeuner, Tsigan, Cigan, Ţigan or Rroma with one or two “r”.

After the change of name from “Gypsy” to “Rroma” at the beginning of the 90’, now, more and more people propose other changes. For instance, the representative of the Rroma (Gypsy) population into the Parliamnet of Romania, Nicolae Paun proposed that the names “Gypsy” or “Rroma” should be abandoned and “Gypsy” population should adopt the name “Indiroma”.

That rationale is based on the fact that the Gypsy population is originated from India and this term “Indirom/Indiroma” would be more appropriate for a correct understanding of their culture and origin.

Details: http://www.tolerance.ro/