DECEMBER 2014
Systemic Exclusion and Pathways to Integration. The Situation of the Romanian Roma living in Wrocław. Authors: Agata Ferenc and Maciej Mandelt Consultants: Joanna Kostka Design: Katarzyna Koprowska Picture on the cover: Aneta Ilnicka Editor: NOMADA Association for Multicultural Society Integration ul. Paulińska 4-8, Wrocław 50-247, Poland roma@nomada.info.pl www.roma.nomada.info.pl www.nomada.info.pl
This publication/report was published as a part of the Project: “Assisting the Empowerment and Social Inclusion of the Romanian Roma Community Residing in Wroclaw” with the support of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The opinions and information it contains do not necessarily reflect the policy and position of ODIHR.
WROCŁAW/POLAND, DECEMBER 2014
NOMADA | RAPORT ROMA | 2014 | TABLE OF CONTENTS
I - EXCLUSION AND DISCRIMINATION. REASONS AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PHENOMENON
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I.1 Registration of residence in the Republic of Poland I.2 Possession of identity documents I.3 Access to the job market I.4 Access to health care I.5 Access to the education system I.6 Access to housing I.7 Accessibility of aid measures I.8 The threat of violence
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II - HISTORY
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III - EVICTION TRIAL AGAINST THE ROMANIAN ROMA
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III.1 Case Description III.2 Support of the trial III.3 Summary
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IV - NOMADA ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY OF THE ROMANIAN ROMA
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IV.1 Accessing health services IV.2 Integrative and educational activities IV.3 Assistance in administrative procedures IV.4 Media activities IV.5 Advocacy and monitoring activities
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V - INTEGRATION WITH THE ROMA
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V.1 Grassroots social campaign, collaboration and grassroots activities V.2 Artists, activists, cultural institutions, intellectuals and other citizens of Wrocław
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VI - MEDIA AS A PLATFORM FOR PUBLIC DEBATE
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VII - THE ROMANIAN ROMA CASES IN OTHER POLISH CITIES
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VIII - CONCLUSIONS
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IX - RECOMMENDATIONS
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Wrocław, 19th December 2014 We would like to invite you to read the report ‘Systemic Exclusion and Pathways to Integration. The Situation of the Romanian Roma living in Wrocław. December 2014.’ prepared by Nomada Association. This document provides a summary of collected data and their analysis. It also outlines a set of recommendations addressed to public institutions and non-governmental organizations. The report presents the case of a group of people, the Roma migrants from Romania, whose extremely difficult economic situation has made them leave their home country and settle in Poland. It builds on information published by Nomada Association in the form of leaflet in November 20131. We strongly recommend that the readers familiarize themselves with their content before commencing with this report. The report describes the specifics of this group and their legal and socio-economic circumstances. It demonstrates the discriminatory mechanisms of systemic, social and cultural exclusions and the examples of human rights infringements. It also addresses the underlying causes of these phenomena. The report presents actions undertaken by the authorities, public institutions and the citizens in response to the ‚crisis situation’. It also summarises Nomada’s three-year work with the community of the Romanian Roma. It pays particular attention to the lawsuit filed against the residents of the Roma encampment by the authorities of the city of Wrocław. At the same time it shows how the determined social reaction influences the change in behaviour of the local authorities towards this community, as well as how, due to the lack of systemic solutions, the idea of integration with the Roma community is being realised. Nomada believes that the presented activities can serve as examples of good practices. The purpose of this document is to contribute to a public debate concerning the migration of Roma EU citizens, which has accelerated over the last few years. Hopefully, the information it contains can serve as an important step for designing and implementing effective support for economic migrants, that does not violate a dignity or cultural traits of migrating Roma communities. The information collected here are based upon documents which have been made available to the public, media reports, our own experience and accounts of individuals. Therefore, they constitute just a small part of the described reality, seen from Nomada’s subjective perspective, which cannot be free from certain subjectivism. The report’s authors, Agata Ferenc and Maciek Mandelt 1 NOMADA Association, Romanian Roma Community in Wrocław, Poland http://www.roma.nomada.info.pl/images/RAPORT/romaraport_eng_final.pdf , November 2013
I - EXCLUSION AND DISCRIMINATION The Romanian Roma community arrived to Poland in the 1990s2. Following the collapse of the communist regime, the Roma across Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) faced dramatic decline in their living standard. The situation in Romania was especially dire as the already impoverished Roma minorities were the first to lose their source of income and access to welfare provisions. Increasing levels of poverty and persecution forced them to emigrate. For over twenty years the Polish authorities seemed not to notice their presence on the Polish territory. Years of exclusion resulted in astounding marginalisation of this group. In Wroclaw their presence was first recorded in the mid-1990s. For nearly two decades the members of this group (approximately 200 persons) were fully denied their fundamental human rights. The EU enlargement and the fact that now the Romanian Roma are legitimate European citizens has not substantially altered the way Roma migrants are treated by the Polish authorities. 2 Wacław Grabkowski, Żyjący inaczej, http://dolny-slask.org.pl/3496940,Zyjacy_inaczej.html, 19 November 2012
Reasons and Description of the Phenomenon I.1 Registration of residence in the Republic of Poland Since the accession of Romania to the EU in 2007 the citizens of this country have the right to move freely across the territories of all Member States3. The EU Freedom of Movement regulation requires all citizens to register their stay in a new member country after three months of residence. According to the Polish law, any EU citizen wishing to reside in Poland must prove that he/she will not exploit the Polish welfare and social provisions4. This require3 Article 45, Consolidated versions of the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:C:2010: 083:FULL&from=PL, 30 March 2010 4 The Act on entering the Polish territory, stay and departure from
ment automatically excludes vulnerable and impoverished people from registering in the system. To obtain registration of resident an applicant needs to: • Present a valid identity card or passport; • Present proof of income to support oneself and one’s family: resources may come from any source (certificate of employment, self-employment, or student status); • Be in possession of health insurance. A compliance with these procedures is required of all EU citizens, without exceptions (i.e. social or economic status). In the case of the Romanian Roma, the compliance the territory of nationals of Member States of the European Union and their family members http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/DetailsServlet?id=WDU20061441043, 14 July 2006
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with these requirements, is highly problematic. The bureaucratic registration mechanism is set in a manner that requires applicants to comply with all the above prerequisites simultaneously. For severely excluded and impoverished families and individuals compliance with these extremely complex procedures is highly problematic, if not impossible. It has been noted by numerous observers that the registration system caters to well-off professionals and disadvantages poor economic migrants. While the failure to comply with these obligations is not penalized and does not lead to persecution by the authorities, it automatically places an individual outside the system and socio-economic networks. This means that the receiving country often has no record of the newcomers - cannot account for their presents or length of their residence. This is precisely the case of the Romanian Roma who have been living in Poland since the 1990s, and yet there are no official records documenting their presence. Lack of registry also means that migrants are unable to secure formal and stable employment and cannot access basic public services – health care, education, family assistance, social security, etc. These barriers only deepen the levels of poverty and marginalization, preventing the people from realizing and contributing to the fundamental citizenship rights (i.e. right to quality public services, legal protection, housing, voting and organizing). MAIN BARRIERS FOR REGISTRY I.2 Possession of identity documents The majority of Romanian Roma migrants are not in possession of valid Romanian ID cards or passports. Numerous persons, particularly children born on the Polish territory, do not hold any identity documents. A number of persons (mainly children) have only Polish birth certificates, which in many cases have been filled in incorrectly 1. It is still a common practice not to include correct personal data of the child’s father, even when he is a witness during the issuing of the document. Such procedural mistakes stem mostly from the language barrier as Polish authorities do not provide interpretative services during issuing of birth certificates. To authenticate Polish birth certificates the Romanian citizens must travel to Romania, because this service is not available in Poland. However, even if a person can afford such journey, the inconsistent information contained in the birth certificates issued in Poland, generate serious problems for applicants in Romanian who try to confirm their national status. Thus, it is often the case that a person is neither fully acknowledged as a resident of Poland nor as a rightful citizen of the Romanian State. While the Romanian Consulate might be of assistance to applicants, it is only able to issue temporary passports (valid for one year). Even in this case an applicant needs 6
to provide the consulate with a valid identity documents (i.e. ID card) that have not been expired for more than three months. Hence, this service is often not accessible to a number of persons currently residing in Poland. Moreover, issuing of temporary passports is a paid service, and the fees often exceed the economic means of the applicants. I.3 Access to the job market As EU citizens, the Romanian Roma do not require a working permit to obtain employment. However, employers are often not aware of this procedural fact. A lack of public campaigns and information points, which could educate employers about EU regulations, means that there is a profound lack of knowledge about the procedures pertaining to employing EU nationals (particularly among smaller businesses and entrepreneurs). This is one of the main reasons why many migrants are employed informally and on short-time basis, without official contracts. In general they are exploited as cheap labour and often fall a victim of mistreatment (i.e. wages are not paid, or are less than promised). Lack of employment opportunities is also connected to a low level of education among the Romanian Roma, a lack of professional experience and updated qualifications (i.e. certificates, diplomas). The problem is compounded with the fact that there are very few possibilities to update qualifications or or obtain working experience. Without valid ID documents and registration, the Romanian Roma cannot benefit from offered courses, workshops or educational opportunities. Exclusion from the labour market means that the primary source of income and a coping tactics are: begging (usually done by women and children), metal-scrap collection, petty theft and informal short-term employment. I.4 Access to health care By law the EU citizens are entitled to basic health care assistance in all member states upon securing a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)5. In Poland there is a possibility to obtain health insurance from the National Health Fund [Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia]. However, the cost of such service for new clients amounts to 7, 878 PLN (around 1,800 EUR) with an additional monthly premium of 354 PLN (around 84 EUR)6. Although in accordance with the Polish law medical care is free of charge for children, it does not extend to non-Polish citizens. Children of EU migrants can only access free health care in their home countries. There is a 5 National Health Fund https://www.ekuz.nfz.gov.pl/ 6 http://www.nfz.gov.pl/new/index. php?katnr=2&dzialnr=1&artnr=1443, 16 October 2014
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Winter at Kamieńskiego /photo: T. Grzyb
possibility to transfer child’s health insurance from one country to another, on the basis that a child is enrolled in education system. Thus far, there have been no initiatives provided to facilitate the transferring of health insurance from Romania to Poland. As a result Romanian children residing in Wroclaw have limited access to quality medical services. Without health insurance and sufficient funds to cover the costs of medical check-ups and specialized medical services the Romanian Roma use medical services exclusively in critical situations, usually turning to emergency rooms. In life-risk situation they receive immediate assistance, however in less critical cases their treatment depends solely on the ‘good will’ of doctors on duty. Moreover, once charged with the treatment the Roma often fail to settle their bills. This leads to a breach of trust and reluctance of medical staff to receive and treat Romani patients. The barriers to accessing quality health care contribute to deterioration of an already poor health among the Romanian Roma7. Many individuals with congenital and chronic diseases cannot count on needed assistance. Poor living conditions contribute to an array of health
problems that require preventive measures and quick diagnosis, neither of which is currently available. While children are able to benefit from free health care in Romania, the costs of travelling require substantial financial resources and majority of the families simply cannot afford them. Moreover, Romanian procedures of issuing health cards are excessively bureaucratized, and not free of charge. In general the logistic of acquiring health insurance in Romania exceed the possibilities of the Romanian Roma who have been living outside of their country for many years.
7 Matrix/European Commission, Roma health report. Health status of the Roma population. Data collection in the member states of the European Union http://ec.europa.eu/health/social_determinants/docs/2014_roma_ health_report_appendices_en.pdf , August 2014
8 Yaron Matras,Mapping the Romani dialects of Romania, http://languagecontact.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/YM/ downloads/MappingtheRomanidialectsofRomania.pdf 9 The Constitution of the Republic of Poland, article 70 http://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm
I.5 Access to the education system The majority of the Romanian Roma residing in Wroclaw are functionally illiterate. Their first language is one of the Romani dialects, although some persons speak Romanian8. Their command of Polish is improving (particularly among children) but remains on a basic level. According to the Polish law, primary and secondary education is obligatory and is accessible to all children under the age of 18, regardless of their citizenship status9. Despite these legal provisions, the Romanian Roma
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children are not attending and are not enrolled in any official educational institute. It could be said, that in the last 20 years no efforts were made to enrol Romanian Roma children in a Polish education system. The reason for this ‘omission’ is multifaceted. On one hand the parents are reluctant to send their children to school because of fear and the fact that they themselves are functionally illiterate and do not have positive experiences with education system in Romania. On the other hand many children are not covered by social security scheme (or simply not accounted for), therefore the compliance with legal obligations is difficult to enforce. It should be noted that social workers are reluctant to undertake this issue, given a lack of clear procedures and instruments to address this specific and highly problematic case. Lack of access to education is perhaps the most vital factor contributing to marginalization, exclusion and inability to exit the cycle of poverty. Lack of attention to this issue is particularly surprising given that education is prioritized in all public schemes targeted at Polish Roma communities, and Poland appears to comply with all the EU directives and recommendations regarding facilitating educational access for all. Education of Romani children residing in Wroclaw was undertaken by the non-governmental organizations and volunteers. Since 2013, children from the encampment have participated in informal education classes (held twice a week) organized by Nomada and DAS10. Following negotiations and dialogue with the Department of Education in the City Hall [Departament Edukacji Urzędu Miasta], in 2014 the children began to attend primary school11. Nevertheless, only one child has been admitted to the mainstream class and receives supplementary Polish language lessons. Other children (7 at the moment) attend individual tutorials (one child – one teacher) three times a week for two school hours. While this approach aims to help children to ‘catch-up’ with the mainstream curriculum, it does not offer any possibility of interact with other children and in fact constitutes a practice of segregation (considered illegal in Poland) . It is important to note that the school has not employed a cultural assistant to work with the children, even though this would not result with any additional costs to school’s budget (currently the position of the assistant is subsidized by the Ministry of Education12). 10 School classes for children from Roma enampment http://roma. nomada.info.pl/dzialania-nomady/107-zajecia-szkolne-dla-dzieci-zkoczowiska 11 Natalia Sawka, Gazeta Wyborcza http://wroclaw.gazeta.pl/ wroclaw/1,35771,17080325,Witaj_szkolo__Romskie_dzieci_z_ Koczowiska_ucza_sie.html, 5 December 2014 12 Education Act, article 7 http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/ DetailsServlet?id=WDU19910950425
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I.6 Access to housing In general the Romanian Roma cannot afford to rent flats large enough to accommodate their extended families. In some cases the Roma were able to find accommodations outside Wrocław, where the costs are lower. However these venues are often extremely run-down, without running water, heating, and at times without electricity. Due to a lack of affordable housing the Roma tend to occupy vacant buildings or set up camps in abandoned areas. There are two such “settlements” within the administrative area of Wrocław. By law the Roma can find accommodation in homeless shelters. However these are divided by gender, what means that the Roma families would need to be separated. Such solution is unacceptable for this community. According to their culture and social relations a multi-generation family constitutes the highest value that safeguards the entire social structure of the community. The registration of residence in the Republic of Poland would provide the Roma families with the possibility to apply for social housing or rent allowance. However it is important to highlight that in Poland social housing is very limited with long waiting lists and tight procedural requirements. Hence, the chance of acquiring such space by EU migrants is highly unlikely, and may cause socio-cultural tensions. I.7 Accessibility of aid measures Currently the Polish state does not offer any financial assistance or integration programmes for economic EU migrants. As EU citizens, the Romanian Roma cannot benefit from programmes targeted at third country nationals, immigrants or refugees. In the current setting of the EU migration regulations in Poland, Romanian Roma are defined as ‘tourists’. They also cannot benefit from the governmental strategy “Integration Programme for Roma Communities in Poland” because they do not fall under the status of ‘ethnic minority’13. The residents of the encampments receive ‘humanitarian aid’ provided by the local authorities of Wroclaw14 15 aimed to improve the living conditions in the camps. Currently, both encampments lack running water, sewage system and electricity. Public aid consists of water supply (delivered twice 13 Act of 6 January 2005 on National and Ethnic Minorities and Regional Language. http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/ DetailsServlet?id=WDU20050170141 14 http://wroclaw.gazeta.pl/wroclaw/1,35771,15335992,Dutkiewicz_ odpowiada_na_list_otwarty_w__Romow.html, January 2014 15 http://www.wroclaw.pl/dajac-pieniadze-nie-pomagasz
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At Kamieńskiego /photo: T. Grzyb
or once a week in water trucks), maintenance of three portable toilets and garbage containers. However, these services are provided to only one of the two Wrocław’s camps. It could be argued that the assistance is strictly aesthetic, aimed primarily at addressing the complaints of the neighbours. Another type of “humanitarian aid” available to the Roma migrants are soup kitchens run by charitable organizations. However, do to cultural taboos and traditions related to meal preparation the Roma are reluctant to take advantage of these services. In addition, they do not identify themselves as ‘homeless’ and do not feel comfortable accepting this form of assistance. Nevertheless, the majority of available social aid (both public and nonpublic) simply does not reach the Romanian Roma community. The main reason is again related to the lack of registration documents and the fact that most of the aid caters exclusively to Polish citizens. In this context, the city’s latest social campaign to remove beggars from public spaces, by encouraging people to donate money to registered charity organizations (rather than giving money directly to street panhandlers) is acutely misinformed16. Majority of these organizations are not able or prepared to offer help to the Romanian Roma. In effect Romanian Roma (who constitute the highest share of beggars in Wroclaw) are deprived of an 16 http://www.mops.wroclaw.pl/Pomagam-Madrze-p2036.php, December 2014
important survival tactic, without being offered any alternative. Here it is important to highlight, that in Poland begging is not a criminal offence, as long as a person has no other source of income17. The regulation mainly prohibits aggressive and fraudulent extortion of money, and begging performed by minors. However the Romanian panhandlers often complain that they are being stopped by the municipal guards who perform inspections and confiscate collected money without providing any written receipt. In the framework of the Polish criminal code and legislation such practices are deemed illegal18. Such misconduct as of yet has not been addressed by the municipal authorities. While the EU recommends the use of its financial instruments19, the Structural Funds, for the development of Roma inclusion strategies, in the Polish context SF are used exclusively to create programmes for Polish citizens. Thus, Romanian Roma are excluded from these strategies as well. Currently the Polish SF programming does not include objectives or priorities targeted at migrants. 17 Code of Administrative Offences, Article 58 http://isap.sejm.gov. pl/DetailsServlet?id=WDU19710120114 18 Article 44 Code of Conduct in Cases concerning Misdemeanours http://isip.sejm.gov.pl/DetailsServlet?id=WDU20011061148 19 European Commission, Proposal for a Council recommendation on effective Roma integration measures in the Member States http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/files/com_2013_460_ en.pdf, June 2013
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The above examples illustrate that currently there are not financial opportunities to address the situation and offer support to Romanian migrants, who have been living in Poland for over a decade. The situation of Romanian Roma in Wroclaw is complex and requires systemic approaches. The locality that is directly affected by this issue should send signals to the central government, demanding an introduction of systemic resolutions and budgetary provisions. At the same time, the local authorities should also engage in strategic planning and propose action frameworks able to address the basic needs of its residents. At this moment it is acutely visible that there is little political will to address the issue and assume the responsibility. I.8 The threat of violence Discrimination and violence against the Romanian Roma community is wide-spread. Instances of mistreatment and abuse occur daily, practically in all public spaces where the Roma are to be found. They are constantly observed, are exposed to vulgar insults, threats and minor physical assaults (pushing, poking etc). There are also recorded instances of beatings resulting in bodily harm. However, due to severe mistrust in public institutions and fear of retaliation, the Roma are reluctant to report the instances of abuse. This kind of discrimination also affects other minorities and immigrants residing in Wrocław20. Hate speech and racial insults directed at the Romanian Roma is omnipresent in the internet. There are countless examples of verbal profanities, which in Poland are punishable by law21. The right-wing groups on numerous occasions have explicitly articulated the need for “final solution of the Roma issue”22. Several charges of inciting violence against the Roma citizens were brought to attention resulting in trials which took place in the city courts. In the past three years two violent attacks on the Roma camps on Kamieńskiego Street took place, one being an attempted arson. Both cases were sent to the prosecution office, however no charges were brought up against the offenders. The second camp burnt down twice, however, the source of the fires has never been established, and there is no available information about any ongoing investigation23. On 28th of October 2014 National Movement organization [Ruch Narodowy] held a press conference in the
proximity of the Romanian Roma encampment, as part of the election campaign of a right-wing politician Robert Winnicki for the City Mayor. Part of his campaign was to ‘deal with the Roma problem’ and the fact that the rally took place so close to the camp could be considered an intimidation tactic24. The city authorities realize that the Romanian Roma camps are in fact under a serious threat. That is why police patrols are dispatched to the camps, particularly during football matches and demonstrations organized by radical right-wing groups. These groups have been openly calling for ‘the final solution to the Roma problem’ on their forums and web pages. The negative experiences in contacts with the Polish society have convinced many Roma that they are unwanted, and that Poles are unwilling to facilitate any form of integration. While the question of willingness and readiness for integration is raised frequently, it only applies to the Roma. Meanwhile it appears that it is the majority that is quite hostile and unwilling to engage in meaningful dialogue and integration. 24 http://wroclaw.gazeta.pl/wroclaw/1,35771,16880506,Kandydat_ Ruchu_Narodowego_przemawia_przy_koczowisku_.html, 28 October 2014
20 http://sukurs.nomada.info.pl/ 21 Penal Code articles 119, 256, 257 http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/ DetailsServlet?id=WDU19970880553 22 Jacek Harłukowicz, W sprawie Romów władze tłuką termometr. Narodowcy idą dalej http://wroclaw.gazeta.pl/wroclaw/1,35771,13722980,W_sprawie_ Romow_wladze_tluka_termometr__Narodowcy.html, April 2013 23 http://www.prw.pl/articles/view/36888/Pozar-na-romskimkoczowisku-Z-ogniem-walczyly-4-zastepy , 5 August 2014
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II - HISTORY The Romanian Roma presence in Wroclaw is not a new phenomenon linked to the recent migration wave of Romanian and Bulgarian Roma (commencing after 2007). Some of the families have been living in Poland for nearly 20 years25. However, for most of that time they were ‘invisible’ and thus, had been ignored by the authorities and social assistance programmes. The issue came to the forefront when infrastructural developers began to seek new investments and hoped to exploit ‘vacant plots’. It was then realised that there are numerous ‘informal’ encampments spread across the city’s outskirts. For a number of years the issue was ‘resolved’ by demolishing the existing dwellings and executing mass evictions. Neither of these actions were supported by court decisions. There are no available records of these illegal proceedings. What is known is that such evictions affected residents of at least two large camps. A number of people, including children, lost their homes and all their possessions. In the 1990s it was still legally possible to deport the evicted residents. However, the deportation proceedings did not follow existing legal standards. There were cases of people being asked to board buses upon the promise that they would receive assistance. Instead they were detained and deported. Such incidents (one that took place in 1997) severely strained an already low level of trust the migrants held towards any form of institutional assistance. Following such demolitions of the encampments, the residents would ‘disappear’ for a while, and then move to other vacant spots, usually in proximity to the previous areas they occupied. Thus sometime during the winter 2009/2010 Romanian Roma came to settle on Kamieńskiego Street, an abandoned area, once a site of allotment gardens and now an unexploited public land in possession of Wroclaw authorities. In the beginning the settlement was monitored by social workers and municipal police, mainly during the periods of harsh winters, when there was a risk of peo25 Wacław Grabkowski, Żyjący inaczej, http://dolny-slask.org.pl/3496940,Zyjacy_inaczej.html, 19 November 2012
ple freezing in makeshift barracks. The residents were offered basic help in form of warm clothes, blankets and hot meals delivered from the soup kitchen. The action was supported by Caritas26. The camp is located in close proximity to a residential area. At first, the residents of the neighbouring, shocked by the dire conditions in the settlement, were willing to offer basics help to the Roma community. They brought clothes, offered food and allowed the Roma to fill the containers with water from taps in their flats. However, with time the attitudes began to change and frustration aroused. The Polish residents started to complain about their “problematic” neighbours. The chief grievances pertained to accumulation of garbage, pollution of the area (due to lack of a basic sewage in the encampment), burning of plastic waste and instances of shoplifting (usually committed by children). The official complaints were being submitted to the city authorities, with a growing number of signatures. The expectation that the local authorities must ‘do something’ put a great pressure on the City Hall. Moreover the complaints were becoming more radical in form27. In 2012 the local authorities for the first time attempted to demolish the encampment and remove its residents with the assistance of the municipal police28. The action was to take place early in the morning on March 19th. Apparently the Provincial Office was well informed about the plan, which was rationalized by the opinion acquired from the sanitary inspectorate. This information has leaked into the media, the fact that spurred a fierce debate. In the end the attempt was abandoned, since the city deemed it illegal (following consultation with legal experts). Nevertheless, it could be said that this was the turning point in the relations between the 26 TVP, Roma enclave https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=1Yz6X5Un97A , 5 January 2011 27 http://www.gazetawroclawska.pl/artykul/465006,wroclawromowie-zbudowali-osiedle-przy-ul-kamienskiego,id,t.html, 23 October 2011 28 Jacek Harłukowicz, Co się nie wydarzyło na koczowisku przy Kamieńskiego http://wroclaw.gazeta.pl/wroclaw/1,35771,11400943.html, 22 March 2012
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Delivery of water to Kamińskiego /photo: T. Grzyb
Romanian Roma migrants and the local authorities. The ‘problem’ became too politicized to be ignored. CONFLICT REGARDING COMPETENCIES In the following months a number of meetings took place, among local, regional and national administrations, law enforcement units etc. The conflict quickly arose regarding who should be responsible for the issue of the encampments and who holds necessary competencies. In the beginning the example of French actions were considered (the highly controversial ‘voluntary’ deportations). Nevertheless, from the legal perspective such intervention is not possible and is highly condemned by the EU29. Then the city began to deliver basic humanitarian aid to the camps. Finally it issued the eviction lawsuit against the residents. This decision marked the beginning of an array of ineffective attempts to resolve the issue of the encampments and help their residents. In the beginning of the year 2014, an information contact point for the Roma was established in the department of social work (MOPS) located in the vicinity of the camp. The work of this unit was based on collecting information about the life inside the camp – the structure of the families, their main problems and needs. The 29 The Act on entering the Polish territory, stay and departure from the territory of nationals of Member States of the European Union and their family members http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/ DetailsServlet?id=WDU20061441043 , 14 July 2006 12
unit was closed down shortly after. Following the second court hearing, the city of Wroclaw prepared substitute housing for the Roma. The information about this plan appeared only in media. The men were suppose to be placed in specially prepared living ‘container’ while women with children were to be place at the other end of the city. This plan, which was not communicated to the Roma families and was not based on any social consultation, met with protest from the Wroclaw residents, unwilling to have Roma as their new neighbours. Following this outburst, the authorities tried to explain that the containers were prepared not just for the Roma but anybody in need of a shelter. In the end a number of containers were demolished by a group of vandals chanting anti-Roma slogans. Their actions brought them at front of the court. Few months after this incident, the remaining containers were designated for homeless persons. The next initiative was undertaken by a local association “People for People” [Ludzie-ludziom] working in collaboration with the City Hall. The association proposed to re-locate one of the families from the encampment to social housing and assist them with the registration procedures. The scheme however did not take under consideration the fact that the family under question was ‘multi-generational’ and was not willing to separate. In effect, 14 persons began to reside in a three bedroom apartment (furbished for maximum 5-6 persons). Moreover, only 5 persons received promised assistance with
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registration procedures and only one child began to attend elementary school. Overall the aid was provided in an ad-hoc manner, lacked a comprehensive dimension and did not envision any integration activities. Thus the members of the family have not been able to secure resources needed to sustain their new flat, access employment opportunities and health services. It is important to highlight that due to this ‘support program’ the family has lost good relations with their community (other families were never informed or consulted on why this particular family received assistance) what reinforced the feeling of isolation and ostracism. Now the family lives in social isolation and is slowly becoming fully dependent on the provided assistance. Currently there is no information regarding the planning, implementation and evaluation of this initiative. The issue of the Romanian Roma in Wroclaw demonstrates that thus far Poland has not developed comprehensive legislation or programmes directed at migrants. Different tiers of government have been claiming that they do not possess competencies to deal with this ‘novel’ issue. During the intervention of Amnesty International (aimed at blocking the eviction of the Roma from the encampment) the local authorities argued that solutions cannot be designed at the local level. At the same time the national authorities showed little preparedness to propose genuine action plan. The Ombudsman has been appealing to both the local and national authorities to work out an integration model for economic migrants from the EU. However, these appeals had little tangible affect. The national authorities continue to point out the existing migration requirements which by and large cannot be realized by the Romanian Roma. The city authorities have been explaining that they are not able to undertake concrete steps because of legal barriers and lack of competencies. According to local administrators, it is the national government who is responsible for dealing with migration and EU regulations. However, it has become clear that the national government does not possess tools to address this ‘crisis situation’. The Ombudsman Office was first to point out that central government and the local authorities are not prepared to deal with increasing migration30. In the meantime, the regional authorities began to take interest in the situation. In 2012 in the Regional Office a round table discussion was held with the presence of all interested parties, including the Romanian Roma. While the Romanian Roma were already taking part in other discussions (for example during the meeting with Vasile Daniel, represented Romanian government31) they 30 Letter from Polish Ombudsman to Minister of Interiior Affairs http://www.brpo.gov.pl/sites/default/files/Do%20Ministra%20 Spraw%20Wewn%C4%99trznych%20ws.polityki%20panstwa%20 polskiego%20wobec%20migrantow.pdf, January 2014 31 Vice-Minister Vasile Daniel from Romania in Roma Camp in Wrocław
are not really included in vital decision making about their situation. More often their opinions and requests are simply ignored, as in the case when after submitting a letter to the Mayor’s Office asking for assistance, they never received any reply. In search of potential solutions, the city and regional authorities turned to the representatives of Romania in Poland. Meetings with the Romanian consulate and embassy resulted in purely rhetorical declarations32. In 2014 the Lower Silesia Regional Office created the Expert Team to address the situation of Romanian Roma migrants33. The team was composed of representatives from: Regional Office, Wroclaw City Hall, Romanian Embassy, Ombudsman, Department of Immigration, Police Headquarters, Border Guard, City Guard Office, Health Inspection Office, National Health Fund, University of Wroclaw Catholic Church and Orthodox Church. NGOs were invited only to one out of six meetings. The proceedings of the team were never consulted with or communicated to the Romanian Roma. In November the Team finished its work. December 17th Team representatives announced that Lower Silesia Regional Office will submit to Ministry of Labour and Social Policy project related to employment and education of Romanian Roma from two settlements in Wrocław34 35. In October Supreme Chamber of Control commenced the monitoring of the realization of the National Program for Roma Community in Poland36. This undertaking is to pay attention to possible ways how the Programme can serve the situation of the Romanian Roma. The report is to be presented in 2015. At this moment local social workers and Nomada continue to collaborate together, focusing on resolving immediate problems of the Romanian Roma family that has been removed from the camp. The work-meetings are attended by persons who are in direct contact with the family – workers of the employment agency, pedagogues and psychologists. http://wroclaw.gazeta.pl/ wroclaw/1,35771,15813998,Wiceminister_z_Rumunii_pojawil_sie_ dzisiaj_na_koczowisku.html, April 2014 32 Provincial Governor meeting with Romanian Ambassador http://duw.pl/pl/biuro-prasowe/aktualnosci/8718,Spotkanie-zAmbasadorem-Rumunii.html, December 2013 33 Directive No. 150 http://bip.duw.pl/bip/dziennik-urzedowy-i-ak/ zarzadzenia-wojewody/2272,2014.html 34 www.prw.pl/articles/view/39500/Pieniadze-europejskiepomoga-w-integracji-Romow-koczujacych-we-Wroclawiu, 17 December 2014 35 http://wroclaw.gazeta.pl/wroclaw/1,35771,17148985,Jak_ pomoc_wroclawskim_Romom__Urzednicy_szukaja_rozwiazania. html, 17 December 2014 36 Supreme Chamber of Control, Plan for Action 2014, page 51 http://www.nik.gov.pl/plik/id,5824.pdf
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The court hearing /photo: A. Ilnicka
III - EVICTION TRIAL AGAINST THE ROMANIAN ROMA III.1 Case Description
•
On the 26th of March, 2013 the Romanian Roma were given an official notice to vacate the inhabited premises within two weeks. On the 18th of April 2013 a lawsuit for eviction of 47 adult with children was filed in the District Court in Wrocław. Wrocław’s authorities concluded that the situation of the Roma migrants requires a legal action directed at ‘empting’ vacating and releasing the properties belonging to the Wrocław Commune’. In May 2013 the court ordered the authorities to supplement the legal summons with Romanian language version and a list of under-age residents and their guardians. The first court hearing took place on the 22nd of November 201337. The court appointed a certified interpreter of Romanian language and allowed media coverage of the case. The legal defender of the Roma requested: • the hearing of the parties; • the referral of the case to the mediation process; 37 Press release of the first trial http://wroclaw.gazeta.pl/wroclaw/1,35771,14996978,Zaczal_sie_ proces_Gmina_Wroclaw_kontra_Romowie_z_koczowiska.html, 22 November 2013 14
involvement of the Civic Rights Ombudsman and the Children’s Rights Ombudsman to take part in the process; • the appointment of an interpreter of Romani language (mother tongue of the defendants). Wrocław authority regarded the settlement agreement with the defendants as impossible. The court dismissed the defendants’ applications for mediation, appointment of the Ombudsman and Romani language interpreter. During the first court hearing, the court and the parties cross-examined two persons. The second court hearing took place on the 10th of January 201438. Amnesty International presented an opinion of amicus curiae39. Numerous non-governmental organisations applied to the court for appointment of a Romani language interpreter40. The defendants’ lawyer 38 Press release http://www.krytykapolityczna.pl/artykuly/ kraj/20140111/wroclawscy-romowie-przed-sadem-nie-bedzietlumacza-romani, 11 January 2014 39 Page 5 http://amnesty.org.pl/uploads/media/raport_ merytoryczny_2013.pdf 40 NOMADA Association, Application for the Romani language interpreter http://roma.nomada.info.pl/newsy-pl/86-wniosek-o-powolanie-
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submitted a formal request for the interpreter. The court dismissed the request. During this hearing four persons were cross-examined. The third court hearing took place on the 21st of February 2014. Nomada Association submitted a request for participation in the trial41. The court dismissed the request. In April 2014, Nomada filed a complaint against the decision of the court. On the 25th of September 2014 the complaint was dismissed by the Court of Second Instance. The date for the next hearing has not been settled yet. The case has been pending for the last 13 months. The Romanian Roma were supported by numerous human rights NGOs, the Ombudsman, and Wrocław’s residents, as well as activist, artists and prominent intellectuals. III.2 Support of the trial • AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, • NOMADA ASSOCIATION, • POLISH SOCIETY OF ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW, • THE ROMA PEOPLE ASSOCIATION IN POLAND, • KRYTYKA POLITYCZNA. • •
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS SUPPORT: CIVIL RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN REPRESENTATIVES OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION (FROM WROCŁAW)
PUBLIC SUPPORT: • OPEN LETTER “The Roma Have the Right to Live in this City” [Romowie maja prawo zyc w tym miescie] Amnesty International (AI) was informed about the trial case by Nomada Association. Upon receiving all the information it initiated an “Urgent Action” resulting in numerous appeals to the Wroclaw City Council, in defence of the residents of the encampment (from across Poland and from abroad)42. The aim of the action was to initiate a dialogue between Wrocław’s authorities and the Roma community, stage consultations with social partners and representatives of other authorities, as well as secure a place where the community could be safely re-settle. The City authorities met with the representatives of AI. AI also appealed to the Lower Silesia Governor to involve him in search of legitimate solution. Following the inspection of the settlement dwellings by the Inspector of Building Control, AI called the City Council not to take any actions which could violate tlumacza-romani-w-procesie-sadowym-romow, 7 January 2014 41NOMADA Association, Request for participation in the trial http:// nomada.info.pl/oswiadczenie-nomady-o-przystapieniu-do-sprawysadowej-na-prawach-strony/, 20 February 2014 42 Amnesty International, URGENT ACTION. Roma families face forced eviction in Poland http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/EUR37/001/2013/en/ e5622628-2623-4fb1-b1a5-bd27fa20e3f5/eur370012013en.pdf , 4 April 2013
human rights43. It brought to attention the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights of April 2012 (Yordanova and others v. Bulgaria). The European Court ruled that the eviction undertaken in this case by the national authorities must be adequate to the purpose it wishes to achieve. Moreover, it must take into consideration the risk of condemning the evicted person to homelessness44. According to the Polish law, an eviction can take place only by a court order. During the eviction trial, AI presented an opinion of amicus curiae, which stresses the essence of the potential eviction of the defendants and the obligation of the state to respect the right to housing. AI also described the treatment of Roma minorities in other Central and Eastern European countries, highlighting the inability of these states to address cultural diversity of its citizens, and the fact that the majority of Roma are affected by extreme social exclusion. The case of the Romanian Roma from Wrocław became the subjects of the international action organised annually by AI45. Before the second court hearing, AI delivered more than 2000 letters to the Roma settlement (part of the Letter Writing Marathon action) expressing solidarity and support46. Nomada Association considers the proceedings of a court a striking example of discrimination. The marginalisation of the rights of the Roma migrants and the refusal to provide assistance proves a deep lack of understanding and ignorance about the socio-cultural exclusion faced by the migrants. Extreme marginalization and disenfranchisement of the Roma community make it impossible for its members to function on equal footing with the rest of the Polish society. Nomada considered participation in the trial and support of the defendants as its vital responsibility – a position in accordance with the law in the Civil Procedure Code47. However, by court decision, Nomada was not admitted to participation in the trial. Nomada filed a complaint about this decision to the Court of Second Instance. The organisation referred to the Constitution of the Republic of Poland as well as to the international treaties ratified by Poland (United Nations Charter, the International Covenant on Economic, 43 Letter to the Inspector of Building Control http://amnesty.org. pl/uploads/media/pismo_Amnesty_International_24.06.2013.pdf, 24 June 2013 44 The European Court of Human Rights ,CASE OF YORDANOVA AND OTHERS v. BULGARIA http://hudoc.echr.coe.int/sites/eng/pages/search. aspx?i=001-110449, 24 April 2012 45 Write for Rights Poland 2013 http://amnesty.org.pl/maraton-pisania-listow/kogo-bronimy/ polska-spolecznosc-romow-rumunskich-z-wroclawia.html 46 http://www.krytykapolityczna.pl/sites/krytykapolityczna.pl/ files/imagecache/story_content_big/node/21357/field_story_ content_image/strona4.jpg 47 Articles 61, 62, 63 http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/ DetailsServlet?id=WDU19640430296
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The court hearing /photo: A. Ilnicka
Social and Cultural Rights, European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, United Nations Convention of 18th December 1979 on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Council of Europe Convention of 6th November 1997 on Nationality and the Treaty on European Union). Nomada stressed that the participation in the proceedings by a non-governmental organisation fosters access to court and rights to a fair trial. Court of Second Instance dismissed the complaint of Nomada Association. According to the opinion of the court, the case is not related to the protection of equality or human rights. It was declared that the eviction trial does not discriminate the Roma as ethnic or cultural minority and constitutes a case of evictions . The Polish Society of Anti-Discrimination Law called on the Mayor of Wrocław to stop the evictions of the Roma community and discontinue policies that stigmatise this community48. During the trial, the Society monitored the course of the proceedings49. The Romanian Roma also received support from the representatives of the Polish Roma communities, both during the threat of eviction and with regard to the ap48 Letter to President Rafał Dutkiewicz http://www.ptpa.org.pl/ public/files/pismodoPrezydentaWroclawia.pdf, 12 April 2013 49 Report of the hearing, http://www.ptpa.org.pl/public/files/ sprawozdaniezrozprawy22.11.pdf, 22 November 2013 16
pointment of the Romani interpreter to the trial. The support was declared by major Polish Roma organisations: Roma Federation FROM, Polish Roma Association, Dialog-Pheniben Foundation. Political Critique [Krytyka Polityczna] published the coverage of the trial in Opinion Journal [Dziennik Opinii] its daily online publication. Wrocław-based Krytyka Polityczna Club did a live report from the court room via Twitter and co-organised press conferences regarding the proceedings of the trial. The Ombudsman appealed to the Mayor of Wrocław to withdraw the case and to start mediation with the Roma community50. According to the Ombudsman, this would constitute a sufficient support for the migrants. The Ombudsman argued that the circumstances of the Romanian Roma in Wrocław need to be address by the national government as it holds needed competencies to develop comprehensive migration policies. The Ombudsman asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Administration and Digitisation and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to review the issue and determine whether Poland EU funds may be used for creation of migration programmes51. 50 Ombudsman release https://www.rpo.gov.pl/pl/content/ sytuacja-rom%C3%B3w-we-wroc%C5%82awiu, 24 January 2014 51 Ombudsman to Minister of Interior Affairs http://www.brpo. gov.pl/sites/default/files/WG_MSW_migranci_24022014.pdf, 24 February 2014
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In the second letter to the Mayor of Wrocław52, the Ombudsman referred to the fact that in 2016 Wrocław will hold the title of the European Capital of Culture53. It stated that the ongoing promotion of the city as ‘multicultural’ necessitate political attention to the Roma issues. In the letter the Ombudsman states that the National Programme for the Roma Community in Poland can be used as a ‘guideline’ for the development of local integration strategies54. While the city authorities presented ideas for such strategy to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Administration and Digitisation and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, these ideas have not been communicated to the public. The Representative of the European Commission in Wrocław has been observing the developments concerning the situation of the Romanian Roma. The representative of the EC is a member of the Advisory Panel of the Lower Silesia Governor. Residents/Citizens After the second court hearing, artists and intellectuals published an online open letter, addressed to the court and Wrocław authorities, in which they requested the abandonment of the eviction lawsuit55. In the letter they expressed concerns about the lack of Romani language translator during the court hearings. In response, the Mayor of Wrocław simply stated that the issues concerning migration policy lays in the domain of the national government56.
will not apply to the rest of the residents. Thus, the entire trial is rather improvident and fails to provide any substantial or rational solution to the ‘problem’. One of the most controversial issues of the ongoing proceedings is the lack of an interpreter of Romani language, which is the first language of the defendants. The examinations were conducted via a Romanian language interpreter. The cross-examined defendants were neither able to articulate their claims nor were they able to fully understand posed questions. Moreover, the interpretation was devoid of social and cultural context, which is important in the light of social exclusion faced by the group. The court’s decision not to appoint an interpreter of Romani was supported solely by the opinion of the appointed Romanian interpreter and the complainant party. This decision went against the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Constitution of the Republic of Poland. Rather than engaging in a meaningful dialogue with the NGOs and listen to their proposals, the City Hall considered their advocacy as an attempt to ’paralyse the trial’.
III.3 Summary The eviction lawsuit has severely dwarfed an opportunity to develop a sound solution to the migration issue in Wroclaw. It also appears that the undertaken legal proceedings will not result in ‘clearing’ of the site. Firstly, the legal provisions do not permit filing a lawsuit against a ‘community’, which is why the case was brought against a group of persons residing at the settlement on Kamieńskiego Street. However, since the first court hearing some of the defendants had already changed the place of residence, while new persons had arrived and settled. This essentially means that in the event of eviction verdict, only some people will be required to leave. The verdict 52 Ombudsman to President of Wrocław https://rpo.gov.pl/sites/ default/files/Do_Prezydenta_Wroclawia_ws_zapewnienia_ pomocy_dla_rumunskich_Romow_zamieszkujacych_w_ koczowiskach_na_terenie_miasta.pdf, 24 April 2014 53 Wrocław – European Capital of Culture 2016 http://www. wroclaw.pl/en/european-capital-of-culture-2016 54 Law on National and Ethnic Minorities http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/ DetailsServlet?id=WDU20050170141, 6 January 2005 55 Open letter to authorities and court http://www. krytykapolityczna.pl/artykuly/kraj/20140124/romowie-maja-prawozyc-w-tym-miescie-list-otwarty, 24 January 2014 56 President’s response to open letter http://wroclaw.gazeta. pl/wroclaw/1,35771,15335992,Dutkiewicz_odpowiada_na_list_ otwarty_w_sprawie_Romow.html, 25 January 2014
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Assistent work /photo: S. Wojtkowiak
IV - NOMADA ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY OF THE ROMANIAN ROMA Nomada Association has been collaborating with the Romanian Roma community since autumn 2011. First interactions with the residents of the encampment were spontaneous usually taking shape of immediate humanitarian assistance. Nomada provided winter clothing, basic medication and food. Nevertheless, after few months the association agreed to develop more constructive and far-reaching interventions. The ideas was that exclusion of the Romanian Roma can only be addressed through comprehensive integration programs and empowerment efforts. The spring of 2012 marked the beginning of multifaceted and methodical involvement based on close cooperation with the Romanian Roma. The main aim was to commence a process of cultural, social and economic integration, which would work both ways. Thus all the activities were underpinned with the idea of bringing the Roma and non-Roma closer to one another, engaging them in mutual dialogue and interaction. The first important step was the creation of a position of Roma Family Assistant, a person who would work in
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the settlement, providing practical assistance to individual members: • Providing information about Polish administrative procedures; • Familiarizing Roma with the Polish realities; • Providing necessary assistance (i.e. reading documents, answering questions). The main aim of these activities was to gain trust of the community members and reduce the severe isolation of the encampment from all spheres of Wroclaw’s public life. Currently Nomada is also training a group of volunteers, preparing them to undertake field work and partake in integration initiatives. The core idea of Nomada’s activities is to represent the interests of the Romanian Roma, while taking into account their point of view and their cultural conditionings. Thus, on one hand Nomada strives to inform Roma about their surrounding reality, and on the other tries to learn about and respect their opinions, needs and demands. Moreover, it makes all necessary efforts to dis-
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In the library /photo: A. Rzeźniak
seminate objective information about daily life in the encampment and monitor all activities undertaken by the authorities. • • • • •
Nomada’s comprehensive support consists of: Health access Education/Integration activities Administrative assistance Media relations Advocacy IV.1 Accessing health services
The aim of Nomada’s work in this area is to make sure that the Romanian Roma have regular access to medical services. Nomada’s activities are threefold • Collecting financial resources to cover medical expenses; • Serving as mediators between health institutions and the Roma (assisting during medical checkups, intervening in critical situations); • Disseminating information about basic principles of healthy lifestyle and hygiene. During its operation Nomada arranged a series of medical appointments: • examination and specialized medical treatment; • dental services; • gynecological examination, contraception and care
• • •
for women during pregnancy; pediatric care for children; access to subsidized medication; vaccination for children (thanks to the collaboration with the Provincial Sanitary and Epidemiological Unit). IV.2 Integrative and educational activities
Securing access to education constitutes one of the main aspiration of the organization. The first initiative took place between 2.2013-5.2014. In cooperation with Angelus Silesius House, informal education classes for children where organized, to prepare them for entering formal education57 The classes were held twice a week and included instructions in: • Polish language; • Basic writing, reading and arithmetics; • General development. During these 11 months the educators served as mediators between the parents and the program’s staff, to consolidate a level of trust and mutual communication. Once children started attending regular school, Nomada staff walked children to school and provided additional tutoring. Nomad also introduced numerous inter-cultural inte57 NOMADA activity – classes for children from encampment http:// roma.nomada.info.pl/en/nomada-activities/108-school-classes-forchildren-from-roma-encampment
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Workshop in an art-gallery /photo: A. Ferenc
gration activities, including: • ‘Field trips’ to acquaint Roma children and their parents with the city of Wroclaw and encourage greater social interaction. The Roma have already visited a number of cultural institutions – museums, galleries, theaters, cinemas. • Outings to concerts, cafes and restaurants. • Opportunities for children to attend courses that develop their talents and natural capabilities (i.e. art workshops, swimming lessons, karate classes, wall-climbing)58. • Activities aimed at popularizing Roma culture and tradition among Roma children. These included Romani history classes and meetings between Romanian and Polish Roma. • Participating in a number of celebration (i.e. International Roma Day celebration at the Lower Silesia Provincial Office). To facilitate greater inter-cultural integration, Nomada has been actively engaging interested people – including friends, families, and informal groupings – to partake in activities as volunteers and simple participants. The main idea was to curtail the isolation of the Romanian Roma from socio-cultural environment. Efforts were made to normalize ‘social interactions’ – visits to people’s homes, casual conversations, neighboring support etc. The aim was to build social inter-relations 58 Winter holidays in Museum of Contemporary Art in Wrocław https://www.facebook.com/media/ set/?set=a.624359627634457.1073741887.118224834914608&type=1, 24 February 2014 20
and friendships without reliance on formal activities, and strict time-frames. As part of this methodology, in 2012 and 2013 two open-air ‘Multicultural Picnics’59 were organized bringing Wroclaw residents to the settlement (on Kamieńskiego Street). Interested individuals had a chance to visit the settlement and talk with its residents. Numerous NGOs, volunteers and the Roma from the settlement prepared both of these events together. Creative integration activities took place, including common preparation of food, dancing, and games for children. The initiative turned out to be a great success. IV.3 Assistance in administrative procedures Roma face serious problems in navigating Polish bureaucratic system, due to high level of illiteracy and limited knowledge about the rules and procedures. Nomada provides vital support in this area. • Assisting in contacts with public institutions (including courts, policy quarters, administrative offices); • Assisting with necessary bureaucratic procedures (filling in documents); • Explaining the rights and duties of the Roma; • Seeking out employment offers; • Monitoring the treatment of the Roma by public officials and potential employers. Enhanced support was offered during the eviction trial. Nomada took upon itself to prepare the Roma de59 Images from Multicultural Picnic http://www.krytykapolityczna. pl/fotorelacje/20130422/fotorelacja-piknik-kultur-na-koczowisku
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Pizza /photo: A. Rzeźniak
fendants to partake in the trial as informed and organized Wroclaw residents. Money was fund-raised for legal defence and a number of initiatives were undertaken to publicize the trial and the treatment of the Roma. IV.4 Media activities Nomada holds a strong conviction that it is extremely important that the voice of Roma is well represented in the media. Thus the association from the beginning has made all efforts to encourage the Roma to speak for themselves; explain their situation, express their opinions and take active interest in public debates. Nomada believes that it is crucial that the community is presented in media as ‘real’ individuals and long-term residents of the city and not as a uniform and ‘passive’ group of ‘strangers’. To act on this notion Nomada engage in a wide variety of activities: • Established extensive contacts with media outlets and journalists, emphasizing that they should speak directly to the Rome; • Systematically informed the Roma about an ongoing public discourse60; • Disseminates information about the settlement and its residents via its webpage and social media (FB, Twitter)61 62 63; • Designs a monthly newsletter containing information on current events. The effects are already visible. Numerous media reports were published, containing interviews conducted with the residents of the encampment. Moreover, the 60 The language barrier and illiteracy among the member of this group prevents them from following the ongoing discussions and defend themselves against harmful stereotypes 61 Website www.roma.nomada.info.pl 62 Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/taborwroclaw 63 Newsletters http://roma.nomada.info.pl/newslettery
city Mayor, Rafal Dutkiewicz, was presented with a letter, composed by the Roma (with Nomada’s help), in which they asked him for assistance64. IV.5 Advocacy and monitoring activities Nomada aims to represent the interests of the Romanian Roma community in Poland through all possible and available means. Thus, it maintains contact with public institutions at different tiers of government, and systematically monitors and comments on their activities. Moreover, it communicates with numerous NGOs, social and civic organizations, human rights activists, international Roma rights organizations and informal groups – operating in Poland and abroad. Since 2012 Nomada has been offering statements to the press on regular basis, it has initiated numerous civic campaigns (fund-raising, petition, thematic debates), organized briefings and discussions about the ongoing developments (i.e. actions undertaken by authorities, media statements, activities of other organizations). Finally Nomada continues to expand its own knowledge about social-inclusion, assistance, migration, EU and domestic legislation. At this point Nomada acts as an expert organization, disseminating important information regarding the issues at hand. All together, Nomada’s involvement, its networks, expertise and on-the-ground experience aims to pressure the authorities to introduce systemic changes that would ensure pragmatic and long-term integration assistance. It is vital that resolutions should enable the Romanian Roma (and all other deeply marginalized groups) to exercise their rights and live in dignity. 64 Representants of the community submit a letter to authorities http://wroclaw.gazeta.pl/wroclaw/1,35771,13683303,Romowie_z_ koczowiska_w_Ratuszu___Nie_chcemy_tak_zyc_.html, 5 April 2013
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Workshop in an art-gallery /photo: A. Ferenc
V - INTEGRATION WITH THE ROMA V.1 Grassroots social campaign, collaboration and grassroots activities In March 2012 the activists learned about planned demolition of the settlement on Kamieńskiego Street and the removal of its residents. To prevent the illegal eviction, on the 16th of March a group of people arrived early in the morning at the settlement. After about an hour, a municipal police car was spotted as it was leaving the area. This grassroots action demonstrated social solidarity with a group whose rights for years have been violated without impunity. A decision was made to publicise the situation of the Romanian Roma and inform media and the public. Since that time, the issue of the Romanian Roma has been present in the social discourse.
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From 2012 a number of grassroots initiatives design to promote integration and anti-discrimination have taken place. The interactions with the Romanian Roma community have empowered its members, providing them with an opportunity to express their point of view to the public65. It also resulted in an emergence of citizens’ movement - a group that have been observing the ongoing developments and reacted each time the Roma needed their support. Many of these actions were launched by Nomada Association, but they would not be possible without the active participation of numerous NGOs and activists. With time numerous independent grassroots initiatives were being realised, requiring minimal support of Nomada. 65 Interview with Mindra Ciurar in local press http://wroclaw.gazeta. pl/wroclaw/1,35771,15300958,Romka_z_koczowiska__Czasem_ zaluje__ze_mowie_po_polsku.html, January 2014
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Picnic /photo: T. Rafa
V.2. Artists, activists, cultural institutions, intellectuals and other citizens of Wrocław In June 2013 over 700 people signed a petition ’Call for Support for the Romanian Roma Community in Wrocław’ issued by Nomada Association, Krytyka Polityczna Club in Wrocław and Angelus Silesius House. The petition was signed by numerous prominent public figures including Professor Zygmunt Bauman and a writer Olga Tokarczuk. The petition was aimed at the city authorities asking them to engage in a dialogue with the Roma, social activist and representatives of independent institutions66. The cause of the Romanian Roma was also undertaken by artistic circles. Skillfully conducted happenings prove to be an effective tool for integration and eradication of social and cultural barriers. These included: - Drama classes for children from the settlement run by an international artistic group Jubilo67 68 in collaboration with Jerzy Grotowski Institute Jubilo have also co-organised an integration meeting with the Polish Roma 66 Petition with appeal of support to local authorities http://www. petycjeonline.com/signatures/apel_o_wsparcie_spolecznosci_ wroclawskich_romow_rumunskich/, 28 June 2013 67 Jubilo, Kamieńskiego Camp, Romanian Roma Project http:// jubiloproject.com/projects/kamienskiego-camp/ 68 Daniel Han, Romanian Roma Project http://vimeo. com/77027970, October 2013
children’s dance ensemble Romani Baht; - Children art classes ‘Design for Everybody’69organized by BWA Design Gallery and its curators during winter holidays. During these classes the Roma children had an opportunity to meet and interact with Polish children70; - Event ‘Baracca’71 carried out by Ola Kubiak72 in cooperation with BWA Wroclaw Gallery of Contemporary Art, during which the Roma from Kamieńskiego Street built a housing barrack on the premises of the gallery, as part of the exhibition. The exhibition was developed within the framework of OUT OF STH (Section: Neighbours), in collaboration with the Ethnographic Museum. - Wrocław Contemporary Museum, within the framework of the guest exhibition ’Houses As Silver As Tents’73 prepared by Zachęta the National Gallery of Art in Warsaw created their own exposition devoted to the Romanian Roma from Poland. The events accompanying the show included a public debate ‘Are We Ready for the Dialogue with the Romanian Roma?’74 chaired by an editor Jacek Żakowski, - Photography exhibition depicting the everyday life at the settlement, where a commentary was provided by the Roma children, as well as a series of art workshops; - A music video for the song Babilon by Mesajah music band was shot at the Roma settlement75; - Theatrical performance of Polish Theatre [Polski Teatr] prepared in the framework of West Coast Project [Zachodnie Wybrzeze] raised the subject of social exclusion of the Romanian Roma In Wroclaw76 77; - MTV VOICE website featured a social action breaking the stereotypes regarding the Roma. It presented photographs by Światosław Wojtkowiak78; - A photo album titled ‘STIGMA’ by Adam Lach, documented life in the Wroclaw settlement79. The publication received Beata Pawlak Award, annually granted to authors of books or series of articles dealing with other cultures and religions80; 69 http://5kilokultury.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/dizajn-dla-dziecinie-dizajn-dla-wszystkich, February 2012 70 https://www.facebook.com/media/ set/?set=a.260457544042409.63017.259830574105106&type=3 71 http://www.bwa.wroc.pl/index.php?l=pl&id=666&b=5&w=1 72 Interview with the author: http://www.obieg.pl/obiegtv/27101 73 Exhibition http://muzeumwspolczesne.pl/mww/kalendarium/ wydarzenie-specjalne/domy-srebrne-jak-namioty/, January 2014 74 Debate http://muzeumwspolczesne.pl/mww/dyskusje/debata/ czy-jestesmy-gotowi-na-dialog-z-romami-rumunskimi/, March 2014 75 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYrrG1yBjn4, June 2013 76 Teatr Polski we Wrocławiu, Projekt Zachodnie Wybrzeże. Miasta i psy http://www.teatrpolski.wroc.pl/premiery-projekty/zachodniewybrzeze 77 Review http://www.e-teatr.pl/pl/artykuly/172135.html 78 Światosław Wojtkowiak, Uneducated Lazy Gypsies... http:// mtvvoices.com/en/2013/11/im-not-that-stereotype/ 79 http://www.lachadam.com/stigma/ 80 http://www.batory.org.pl/fundusze_powierzone/beaty_pawlak/ artykuly_6/nagroda_2014
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- A musical documentary ‘Queen of Silence’81 directed by Agnieszka Zwiefka, told a story of a deaf girl residing in the settlement. The film premiered at the International Documentary Film Festival in Amsterdam82. When Wrocław authorities filed a lawsuit for eviction against the residents of the settlement on Kamieńskiego Street, the Roma received great support from all these groupings and organizations. Nomada organized an art auction and many artists donated their artwork to raise money for a defense lawyer representing the Roma during the eviction trial83. Moreover, group of migrants living in the UK, also organized fundraising event and donated the collected money to the cause. Through this collaboration and solidarity it was possible to collect a sum of 15 000 PLN (5 000 USD). In 2013 a grassroots project for developing the area where the settlement on Kamieńskiego Street is located was submitted to the Participatory Budget. The project was dismissed due to a designation of the area for a different purpose. However, it proves that the Romanian Roma in Wrocław are supported by the city’s residents. All these grassroots activities are based on the principles of equality, solidarity and respect. They resulted in strengthening of intercultural interaction and created ‘friendly’ spaces where people can get to know one another, share experiences and learn from each other. 81 Queen of Silence trailer, http://vimeo.com/91779336 82 Movie review http://www.cinecola.com/reports/a27thinternational-documentary-film-festival-amsterdam/featurelength-competition-review-the-queen-of-silence-by-agnieszkazwiefka/ 83 NOMADA Association Art auction http://nomada.info.pl/ swiateczna-aukcja-sztuki-artyscie-w-obronie-praw-czlowieka/, 6 December 2013
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By the campfire /photo: T.Rafa
VI - MEDIA AS A PLATFORM FOR PUBLIC DEBATE The situation of the Roma triggered great interest of the local and national media which raised this subject on several occasions (i.a. Gazeta Wyborcza, Polityka, Tygodnik Powszechny, Dziennik Opinii, Radio TOK FM, Polskie Radio,RMF, Radio Zet, Eska, TVP, TVN, Polsat). The first information about the eviction trial was published in local press in November 201384. In majority of the cases, Wrocław-based media accurately covered the subject. The journalists gradually gain knowledge and understanding of the complex situation and became better acquainted with the circumstances of the Roma. However, examples of discrimination of the Roma by media also exist. Many biased reports of this kind appeared in a local daily paper Gazeta Wrocławska85 86. Hateful and racist comments were posted on discussion forums below the articles published online. It was met with a reaction from the citizens of Wrocław and journalists representing other media, who in an open letter accused the daily paper of encouraging the spiral of hatred and incitement of xenophobia and racism87 88. No84 http://wroclaw.gazeta.pl/wroclaw/1,35771,13703650,Romowie_ zostali_w_swoich_altankach__Miasto_idzie_do.html, 9 April 2013 85 Screenshot http://i.imgur.com/dsCBNXW.jpg 86 http://www.gazetawroclawska.pl/artykul/3443835,wroclawcyganie-atakuja-na-rynku-tylu-zebrzacych-nie-bylo-od-lat,id,t. html, 25 May 2014 87 http://wyborcza.pl/1,75478,16280560,Kradna__oblapiaja__ niszcza_i_nie_sa_biedni__Jak__Gazeta.html, 7 July 2014 88 http://wroclaw.gazeta.pl/wroclaw/1,35771,16266982,Piekarska_
mada Association intervened and raised a complaint to the Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment89. The Roma People Association in Poland issued a notification to the prosecutor’s office on suspicion of committing a crime by the editor-in-chief of Gazeta Wrocławska90. The story of the Roma from Wrocław has introduced new vocabulary in the media language, terms such as ‘settlement’, or ‘integration with the Roma’. However, at the beginning, in the narrative of the public discourse the Roma were presented subjectively - as a dehumanised mass - ‘strangers - others’91. The evolution of the subject presented by the media has at least in part empowered the Romanian Roma from Wrocław and contributed to the fact that the issues of minorities, hate speech and human rights have permanently become present in public debates. do__Gazety_Wroclawskiej___skonczcie_pisac.html, 4 July 2014 89 http://www.gazetawroclawska.pl/artykul/3354403,lekarzkoczowisko-romow-to-siedlisko-chorob-zakaznych,id,t.html, 5 March 2014 90 http://wroclaw.gazeta.pl/wroclaw/1,35771,16299755,Romowie_ skarza_do_prokuratury__Gazete_Wroclawska_.html, 10 July 2014 91 TV Report , TVN24 http://www.tvn24.pl/czarno-na-bialym,42,m/ rajskie-koczowisko,319562.html, April 2013
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VII - THE ROMANIAN ROMA CASES IN OTHER POLISH CITIES The situation in Wrocław and undertaken activities had a strong resonance in other Polish cities as local groups felt motivated to mobilised and take action. In Poznan, a grassroots group has been supporting the Romanian Roma community residing in Poznań since 2013. Their activities include: • social debate; • representation of the Romanian Roma’s interests; • talks with the local authorities; • providing access to medical care; • assistance with bureaucratic procedures and contact with the local administration; • providing informal education classes for children; • organizing integration events92. In April 2014, social activists blocked an attempted illegal eviction from a premise, occupied by a Romanian Roma family93. In Gdansk, following an illegal demolition of a Romanian Roma camp (on the 4th of August 2014), social activists organized a Support Group, based on activities undertaken in Wrocław’s experience. The activities of the group include: • drafting a petition addressed to the local authorities, condemning the illegal eviction94; • issuing an appeal, calling the residents of Tricity95 to help finding housing for the now homeless Roma; • publicizing the case via social media – Facebook profile page/website96 97; • establishing contact between the Roma and the Municipal Family Help Center; • establishing contact with media98 99; 92 Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Pozna%C5%84scy-Romowie/237247613145201?fref=ts 93 TVP Poznań http://www.tvp.pl/tvp-regionalna/aktualnosci/ spoleczenstwo/poznanscy-romowie-do-eksmisji-w-ich-obroniestaja-anarchisci/14638495, 2 April 2014 94 Petition http://www.petycje.pl/petycjePodglad. php?petycjeid=10787, 28 September 2014 95 Administrative conglomeration of three cities – Gdansk, Sopot, Gdynia 96 Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Romowie-wGda%C5%84sku/761684880543694 97 Website https://romowiegdansk.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/ doc-27-aug-2014-16_35-page-001.jpg 98 Local press, Dziennik Bałtycki http://www.dziennikbaltycki.pl/ wyszukiwanie/romowie,s.html 99 Local press Gazeta Wyborcza Trójmiasto http://szukaj.gazeta.pl/ wyszukaj/artykul?&query=romowie& 26
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disseminating information about the eviction case among NGOs; assisting the Roma in composing and submitting a request letter to the Mayor of Gdansk, Pawel Adamowicz100; organizing workshops and debates with representatives of local authorities and experts (in collaboration with Krytyka Polityczna)101.
Nomada Association published a statement102 regarding the illegal demolition and issued a notification to the prosecutor’s office in Gdańsk on suspicion of committing a crime103. The prosecutor’s office is investigating the case. The members of Nomada also got involved with the Support Group’s activities carried out in Gdańsk104 105. The action was joined by Amnesty International, which appealed to the Mayor of Gdańsk twice. The members of AI also visited the City Hall106. As a result of these actions, the authorities of the city of Gdańsk have decided to launch a three-month pilot aid project targeted at the Romanian Roma (the victims of illegal eviction) The project is managed by the Immigrants Support Center107. navservice=Tr%F3jmiasto&sortMode=SCORE&pageNumber=1 100 Letter scan https://romowiegdansk.files.wordpress. com/2014/08/doc-27-aug-2014-16_35-page-001.jpg 101 Video http://www.krytykapolityczna.pl/multimedia/20141207/ romowie-w-polsce-lokatorzy-turysci-imigranci 102 NOMADA Association statement http://roma.nomada.info.pl/ en/newsy-english/105-romanian-roma-settlement-forced-evictionin-gdansk-poland, 17 August 2014 103 Notification to prosecutor http://roma.nomada.info.pl/newsypl/91-zawiadomienie-do-prokuratury-w-gdansku, 12 August 2014 104 Local TV report https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yWD-fkocY 105 Article in contrywide daily newspaper http://wyborcza. pl/1,75478,16475243,Wroclawska_Nomada_wystepuje_w_obronie_ Romow_z_Gdanska.html, 14 August 2014 106 Correspondence beetwen Amnesty International and local authorities http://amnesty.org.pl/no_cache/aktualnosci/strona/ article/8392.html, 14 August 2014 107 Information about Program after workshops and debate in Gdańśk http://trojmiasto.gazeta.pl/trojmiasto/1,35636,16637525,Po_ debacie_w_sprawie_rumunskich_Romow__miasto_i_NGO_ sy.html, 15 September 2014
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al which consequently incites racist attitudes. SYSTEM •
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Lack of a clear designation of responsibilities between the local and national administration in matters concerning the migrants from the European Union; Lack of perspective, vision or long-term strategy for action; Actions undertaken by public administration are not transparent and made without consultation and proper assessment, this makes both external and internal evaluation impossible; Existing administrative procedures are extremely complicated and in many cases impossible to navigate; Institutions do not recognise migration as part of ongoing social changes. This results in the lack of preparation for crisis situations; The ongoing discussions, ‘working teams’ operation as well as the court trial do not bring about any real effects; The situation of the Romanian Roma from Wrocław has not improved. INTEGRATION
Elwis Gabor /photo: T. Grzyb
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VIII - CONCLUSIONS • THE ROMA • • • •
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The Roma are the residents of Wrocław and interact socially with other people; The Roma are now noticed in the social space, they present readiness to participate in making decisions that concern them; The situation of the Romanian Roma in Wrocław has gained interest and as a result the group in now present in the public discourse; The Roma are getting to know and better understand the situation they are in, the surrounding reality and the rules that regulate it, they are aware about their rights and obligations; The Roma migrants do not have access to basic goods and services guaranteed by law: health care, education, employment and housing; The Roma are institutionally and socially excluded, The system notices them only at the moments of legal infringement; Public discourse continues to be one of disapprov-
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The non-governmental organisation, cultural institutions and grassroots initiatives properly fulfil their role. In many ways they provide services and initiatives which should be provided by public administration. Lack of understanding of the essence of integration as a two way process, direct interaction between the Roma and the non-Roma people. Apart from the representatives of public administration, other important actors and agencies do not participate in planning of the integration strategy. Opinions of experts, experience of non-governmental organisations and the Roma are not taken into consideration. The lack of respect for cultural diversity of the minority communities can result in social and institutional acceptance of actions aiming at forceful assimilation of the Roma, and not meaningful integration.
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IX - RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to commence with constructive integration process, the City authorities must be willing to withdraw the eviction lawsuit against the residents of the camp on the Kamieńskego Street. As long as the trial it taking place, it is impossible to engage Roma migrants in any meaningful action (the mistrust and fear of authorities effectively disrupt any efforts). • • •
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PROCEDURES The procedures of registration as EU resident in Poland to be streamlined and simplified (for present and incoming EU migrants); Resolving the issue of who holds competencies over migration issues; Strengthen the management and implementation capacities of the existing administrative units, outline clear procedural and administrative competencies to work with migrants; To avoid creation of new administrative bodies to deal with the issue to prevent bureaucratic over-congestion and confusion; The National Programs for the Polish Roma minority should include a section on migration - the Program should be extend its assistance to Rome migrants from other EU countries (according to EC recommendation under the Framework of European National Roma Inclusion Strategies108).
108 Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005-2015, The European Union and Roma http://www.romadecade.org/related-sources-eu-framework 28
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INTEGRATION DIALOGUE Ongoing dialogue between local and national authorities to establish clear competencies and responsibilities over minority issues; Consultations with civil society organizations and the Romanian Roma (during planning and implementing of projects and strategies); Transparent communication channels need to be establish; The city should support research activities, collection of best practice examples and dissemination of such information; Wroclaw citizens should be well informed about ongoing situation, there is also a need for awareness raising campaigns promoted by the City. INTEGRATION ACTIVITIES Need to design comprehensive and multifaceted integration action plans - in close collaboration with all relevant administrative units, non-governmental organization (with experience working in the field) and the members of Romanian Roma communities; Prioritization of issues of employment, education, housing and health (in line with EU recommendations); Planning should be preceded with ex-ante evaluation, participatory research, consultations; Need to design concrete priorities, indicators, mon-
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itoring mechanisms and evaluation (input, outputs and outcomes indicators are essential); Multicultural training should be offered to public employers and public servants -including teachers, medical staff, law enforcement units and NGOs; Need for individualized approach - individual itineraries for insertion (working with individual families and individual members of the family); Active participation of Roma in all phases of the integration project (support for participatory capacity-building); Flexible approaches not constrained by bureaucratic pedantry; Equality principle and anti-discrimination measures should be included in all undertaken actions; EMPLOYMENT Labour insertion of Romanian Roma is a key to commencing true integration process; Considering a possibility to insert Roma in public work (i.e. landscaping, manual tasks); Provide relevant training (in line with demands of the labour market); Provide support for self-employment; Consider supporting alternative ideas (i.e. social cooperatives, social enterprises); Dissemination campaign among the employers regarding hiring processes of EU citizens; Provide incentives to encourage employers to train/ hire EU migrants.
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been living in Poland for more than 5 years); Romanian Consulate should get involved in assisting their citizens with formal procedures and facilitate financial transfers to secure health insurance; Roma migrants, especially children, women and elderly people, should be provided with health care in situations when they require medical assistance. HOUSING The need to withdraw the eviction law-suit is necessary if the housing issue is to be addressed in constructive manner; Discuss potential ideas/solution for securing housing for the Roma migrants (with special attention being paid that Roma families will be unwilling to separate); Addressing social housing situation in Wroclaw; Tackling discrimination in the housing market (awareness campaigns, incentives); Development of alternative housing should be taken into consideration (consultation with organizations who have been working on housing issues).
EDUCATION Integration of the Roma children in education (access to mainstream classes and other activities to enhance contact between Roma and non-Roma children); Avoid segregating children in all Roma classes; Additional assistance to Roma children is needed (tutorials, lunches, equipment etc.); Educational institutions should take up responsibility to cover the health insurance; Roma parents should be involved - contact with teachers and school headmaster; Anti-discrimination programs should be made part of schools curriculum; Introduction of intercultural education; Cultural assistants should be employed to work with the Roma children; Instruction for teaching Polish as a second language should be develop; If possible provide an opportunity for children to learn Romanian language. HEALTH Assistance in securing (transferring) health insurance for Romanian migrants (especially those who have NOMADA | RAPORT ROMA | 2014
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This publication/report was published as a part of the Project: “Assisting the Empowerment and Social Inclusion of the Romanian Roma Community Residing in Wroclaw� with the support of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The opinions and information it contains do not necessarily reflect the policy and position of ODIHR.