Safety and Justice Through a Roma Lens: Challenging Systemic Profiling and Rights Violations

Time: 23 April 2026 | 10:15 – 11:55
Venue: European Parliament, Altiero Spinelli, Info-Hub

Description: Session examining systemic profiling and discriminatory policing practices, including excessive use of force, and their impact on the fundamental rights of Roma communities.

Co-organisers: MIA, ERGO Council of Europe
In cooperation with OSCE ODIHR – Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues (CPRSI)

Host MEP: Terry Reintke

External participation costs are not covered by the organisers.
Please note that participation may be subject to seat availability. We will confirm your place once your registration has been reviewed.

Agenda:

10:30 – 10:50 | Opening Remarks

MEP Loránt VINCZE, Group of the European People’s Party, Hungary, Committee on Security and Defense, Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, President of the Intergroup on Traditional Minorities, National Communities and Languages
Cristi Mihalache, Senior Adviser, Chief of the Contact Point for Roma and Sinti, OSCE ODIHR – regional standards and policing practices

10:50 – 11:10 | Evidence and Experiences – Patterns of systemic profiling
Moderator: Bernard Rorke, European Roma Rights Centre

Guillermo Ruiz, The Antigypsyism Reporting and Information Center, Germany
Miroslav Klempar, Awen Amenca, Czech Republic
Jonathan Lee, European Roma Rights Centre

11:10 – 11:50 | Panel Discussion – Towards Rights-Based Security Policies

Moderator: Emmanuel Achiri, ENAR

Oana Taba, Council of Europe
Miroslav Klempar, Awen Amenca (Czech Republic)
Costel Bercus, Romania

11:50 – 11:55 | Closing Reflections

To celebrate International Roma Day (8 April), the Council of Europe organises Opre Roma! month from 1 to 30 April 2025, to raise awareness and highlight the challenges faced by Roma and Travellers in Europe. Events paying tribute to the contribution of the Roma language, culture and history to Europe`s heritage and cultural wealth take place in Council of Europe member States and in Strasbourg, under the aegis of the Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues (ADI-ROM).