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Rights of persons belonging to national minorities; Treatment of citizens of other States and human rights of migrants; Roma and Sinti issues
As prepared for delivery by Désirée Cormier Smith,
United States Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice
Warsaw, October 11, 2023
Structural racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance, including the exclusion and othering of Roma and Sinti, migrants, refugees and other marginalized communities, are global scourges that require global solutions . Exclusion and intolerance weaken societies and make democracies less prosperous, less stable and less equitable. They promote polarization and distrust. And they deprive democracies of the strength, innovation and creativity that can be derived from diverse and inclusive societies and communities.
At the individual level, racism and intolerance undermine the full enjoyment of dignity and human rights of members of marginalized and radicalized communities, including Roma, Sinti and people of African descent. Promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms enables members of marginalized and racialized communities to realize their full potential, which improves individual livelihoods and therefore benefits society as a whole.
Due to the metastatic nature of racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance, a concerted and urgent effort by all OSCE participating States, our communities and our institutions is necessary to meet these challenges.
When we defend the equal rights of members of marginalized and racialized communities – Roma and Sinti, women and girls in all their diversity, migrants, people of African descent, LGBTQI+ people, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities and people of all ethnic backgrounds. and religion – we help ensure these rights are protected for all
Rome have long faced persistent societal bias and systemic discrimination, marginalization and exclusion, leading to disproportionate poverty and inequalities in work opportunities, access to health care, as well as affordable housing and resources. Many Roma are vulnerable to illegal or unjust evictions, without consultation, adequate notification or the provision of alternative housing. Racism in policing – whether latent negligence in practice or overt profiling and excessive use of force in reality – is a problem that the U.S. familiar only too well, can lead to a decline in trust in government and, when accepted and perpetuated, to democratic backsliding and a lack of judicial will.
Among the millions of refugees and displaced people created by RussiaAs part of the war of aggression against Ukraine, Roma refugees face disproportionate discrimination in accessing refugee benefits and services, including housing, assistance and employment. . Roma refugees also often do not have equitable access to official documents proving their residency and citizenship, further exacerbating their marginalization. There are devastating reports of how families offering rooms to refugees specifically request to house only white refugees, forcing many Roma to rely on host country governments to provide long-term housing solutions, often of inferior quality. In some areas, Roma are the only refugees remaining in refugee centers or collective housing. Roma communities are even facing increased hostility, including anti-Roma protests like those that recently took place in Hungary.
Official Russian statements President Putin and other senior leaders have made clear that Russia’s illegal war of aggression seeks to wipe Ukraine off the map as a sovereign state, break the will of the Ukrainian people and subjugate them. to the power of the Kremlin. Proud Ukrainian citizens of all ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds have courageously defended their country’s sovereign territory to protect their freedom, democracy and rich culture. Successive reports from Moscow Mechanism expert missions, the OHCHR Commission of Inquiry and other respected bodies have documented that members of Russian forces and other Russian officials have engaged in atrocities, summary executions, forced transfers and deportations of civilians, including children, and acts of torture, including sexual torture. violence and other abuses. Russia is pursuing systematic policies of “passportization” in the regions of Ukraine it occupies. Officials are already required to accept Russian Federation passports, and by next year all residents – including all newborns – will be required to adopt Russian citizenship and acquire Russian identity documents to access basic resources, including humanitarian aid. These actions have had catastrophic consequences on the Ukrainian population, particularly on racialized and ethnic communities.
In occupied Crimea, Russian forces have disproportionately targeted Crimean Tatars for repression, imprisonment and abuse since Moscow’s initial invasion in 2014. Russia holds more than 150 political prisoners from Crimea, mostly Crimean Tatars, and many of them are journalists. In late August, Russian forces arrested six Crimean Tatar activists for their alleged involvement in a so-called “terrorist organization.” Russian occupation authorities routinely use fabricated terrorism charges to target Crimean Tatar civil society activists, journalists or other citizens who speak out against Russia’s suppression of their identity, faith and of their freedoms.
Within its own borders, the Russian Federation is disproportionately appealing to poorer regions and ethnic minorities – notably Buryatia and Dagestan – to enlist in its brutal war against Ukraine. This led to the deaths of a disproportionate number of ethnic minority soldiers in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
In Bosnia Herzegovina, the United States is deeply troubled by increased ethnonationalism in political discourse and decision-making, particularly by Republika Srpska authorities and some Bosnian Serb politicians at the state and government level. of the Federation. Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik’s secessionist moves undermine post-Dayton peace and the Constitution, increasing the risk of inter-ethnic and inter-religious conflicts.
In SerbiaWe are concerned about the disproportionate application of residency requirements against ethnic Albanians, many of whom have been deprived of their citizenship and access to essential services based on the often specious determination that they have abandoned their primary residence.
Ethnic minorities across the Western Balkans, including Roma, Ashkali and Balkan Egyptians, regularly face social and institutional discrimination in employment, education and other key areas, where rhetoric Harsh policy towards ethnic minorities harms prospects for social integration.
Europe and the United States are facing unprecedented levels of irregular migration. As we work to address the root causes of irregular migration in the Americas and identify a comprehensive solution to the Mediterranean migration crisis here, we must ensure that we always adhere to international standards and respect human rights and the dignity of those who seek security and a better quality of life.
In TajikistanWe urge the government to stop pressuring predominantly ethnic Pamiri civil society and NGOs in the autonomous region of Upper Badakhshon to dissolve their organizations.
We congratulate North MacedoniaThe country’s recent amendments to its citizenship law, which resulted in easing procedures for long-term residents to obtain citizenship and access healthcare and other essential services. We are encouraged by North Macedonia’s commitment to end statelessness.
The United States seeks to address the inequalities faced by marginalized communities in order to achieve a more just and peaceful world for all – NOT because we have solved these problems ourselves, but because we want to be a part positive and productive of the global community engaged equally. The United States has taken steps to recognize and combat systemic racism, discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance, and the scourge of white supremacy within our own borders. Racial inequity is not a problem that concerns a single U.S. department or agency – it is a problem for the entire U.S. government in all of our federal policies and institutions. We encourage other participating States to adopt a similarly comprehensive approach.
The work of promoting inclusive democracy, human rights and political and economic stability in OSCE participating States is essential to ensuring and strengthening peace and security in the world. We must work together to strengthen policies globally to achieve the goal of societies free of racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance. Our collective efforts will reduce corruption, economic migration and authoritarianism, and the disproportionate effects these ills have on Roma and Sinti communities, migrants, including African migrants, refugees and other marginalized and racialized communities. .
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