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
Watch this event online here:

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/streaming/?event=20260423-1030-SPECIAL-OTHER

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.

IMPORTANT:

For participants, please arrive directly at the INFO-HUB for check-in registration by 09:45. Please look for the Roma Week sign for assistance. INFO-HUB is situated on the esplanade in front of the Altiero Spinelli Building, on the left-hand side when approaching from Place Luxembourg.

Agenda:

10:30 – 10:50 | Opening Remarks

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
Jonathan Lee, European Roma Rights Centre

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

Moderator: Emmanuel Achiri, ENAR

Oana Taba, Roma and Travellers Division, Council of Europe
Costel Bercus, expert, Romania

11:50 – 11:55 | Closing Reflections

Chryssa Mela, Senior Legal and Policy Officer, Fair Trials

Accreditation and Access to the European Parliament for Roma Week Events

For those who registered or requested an entry badge, please note that accreditation is granted via an automated self-service machine (similar to airport customs machines), located in Station Europe (see photo below), in front of the Altiero Spinelli Building (entrance from Place Luxembourg).

You may collect your access badge only on the day of your event from the self-service machine in Station Europe. Please follow the specific event guidelines to ensure that a Parliament assistant, accompanied by ERGO staff holding a Roma Week poster, picks you up before the designated time set by the event organisers, allowing for a smooth and timely entry into the European Parliament.

For those requiring assistance with the self-service machine, ERGO colleagues will be at Station Europe approximately one hour before the event start time (holding a Roma Week poster) to help with the process.

Regular Entry to the European Parliament

If you already possess a valid access badge, please proceed directly to the event location and arrive at least 10 minutes early to ensure a timely start.

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).