Institutions

At the international level, there are numerous institutions that regulate the rights of the Roma with their own initiatives, and they strive to improve the situation of the Roma, respectively, they impose upon the countries the adoption of those positive actions which should help improve the situation of minorities and the preservation and development of their ethnic identity, culture and language, while creating the conditions for mutual understanding, respect and coexistence of different cultures.

THE EUROPEAN UNION

European Union is a politico-economic union of 28 member states. It was founded after World War II. Initially, it was devoted to economic cooperation between countries which were mutually engaged in trade. After this economic union, political integration followed, encompassing other areas, i.e. development aid, environment, etc. In 1993, the European Economic Community was renamed into European Union.

Photo: Flag EU, available at: http://europa.eu/about-eu/basic-information/symbols/images/flag_yellow_high.jpg

The European Union has developed a unique functioning form of different institutions, which ensure the implementation of common and individual interests of its members, which means that their operation also covers the issues of the Roma in the European area.

Please, follow the link respectively, http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/how-the-european-union-works-pbNA3212336/

U is based on the principle of the rule of law – all activities derive from contracts upon which all member states agree voluntarily and democratically. These binding contracts define objectives for the member states in different political fields.

One of the main goals of the EU is enforcing human rights in its member states and throughout the world. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equal opportunities, rule of law and respecting human rights are the fundamental values of the EU. Since the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009, these values have been written in one document, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which is legally binding for all EU institutions and member states.

Important documents:

• Treaty on European Union (92/C 191/01), 1993
• Resolution on linguistic and cultural minorities in the European Community (A3-0042/94)), 1994
• Discrimination against Roma (B4-0974/95), 1995
• Treaty of Amsterdam Amending the Treaty on European Union, the Treaties Establishing the European, 1997
• Regular annual reports of the European Commission for the acceding states (regarding meeting the criteria for the EU membership)
• Treaty of Nice amending the Treaty on European Union, the Treaties establishing the European Communities and certain related acts (2001/C 80/01),2003
• Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (2000/C 364/01), 2000 
• Starting with 1st December 2009, when the Treaty of Lisbon came into force, these values have been written in one document, a new Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union replaced the old one of 2000. Adopted 29th November 2007, when some adjustments were introduced, it became legally binding and it represents fundamental rights of the EU citizens. 
• EUMC - Annual Report 2005 Part 2 – Racism and Xenophobia in the EU Member States – trends, developments and good practice)
• European Parliament resolution on the situation of the Roma in the European Union (P6_TA(2005)0151), 2005
• European Parliament resolution on the protection of minorities and anti-discrimination policies in an enlarged Europe (2005/2008(INI) 2005
• Roma and Travellers in Public Education: An overview of the situation in the Member State, s), 2006
• The Annual Report on the Situation regarding Racism and Xenophobia in the Member States of the EU – EUMC 2006
• European Parliament resolution on the situation of Roma women in the European Union (2005/2164(INI))),  2006
• Report on Racism and Xenophobia in the Member States of EU – (FRA (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights) 2007)
• European Parliament resolution of 27 September 2007 on the application of Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (2007/2094(INI)
• Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community (2007/C 306/01), 2009.
• European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights – Annual Report 2008
• European Parliament resolution of 31 January 2008 on a European strategy on the Roma
• European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights – Annual Report 2009
• European Parliament resolution of 11 March 2009 on the social situation of the Roma and their improved access to the labour market in the EU (2008/2137(INI)
• An EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020. COM(2011) 173 final. Brussels, 5. 4. 2011. European Commission 2011.

Information on the organization was gained from their website.