International Romani Union

The International Romani Union (IRU ) is the main trans-national advocacy for Roma. It is an umbrella organization of several national and regional organizations, was established as International Romani Union or Romano Internacionalno Jekhethanibe at the 2nd World Roma Congress ( WRC) in April 1978 in Geneva.

History

An early attempt of Roma to organize internationally, was in 1959 the establishment of the Roma World Committee were represented ( CMG) in Paris by Ionel Rotaru, in the French Roma of Eastern European origin, Manouche and Calé. The CMG was dissolved in 1965 by the French Government. He was followed by the Comité International Tsigane ( CIT) under the leadership of Vanko Rouda. It tried to overcome the national, religious and at different sub-groups arising from membership of fragmentation within the minority, which significantly affected the implementation of social and political goals. It originated CIT offices in different countries, contacts with foreign organizations and in close cooperation with the 1952 by Clement Le Cossec founded Romani Evangelical Church. Programmatic goals is to stop the ongoing international process of forced assimilation to be observed and to improve the legal and social situation of the Roma were. What was new was the use of modern methods of political influence on politics and society (public relations, media campaigns, demonstrations, and lobbying ).

As part of the general upsurge of social and political movements in Western countries since the late 1960s, there were also a " radical change " to an " awakening of the so-called ' Romani Movement ' ", which is stronger than ever with their concerns went out in public and aggressively presented their demands.

A " breakthrough of this new political movement " provided the foundation of the International Romani Congress (RIC ) dar. part at the first meeting in London in 1971 was attended by delegates from 14 countries. The Congress " was marked by the pursuit of ' international unit ' " in the fight against social marginalization and to improve social opportunities and political participation. The delegates elected president Slobodan Beberski, the Czech- Swiss physician Dr. Jan Cibula Vice President and Grattan Puxon General Secretary of the Congress. Five committees were used which should deal with the Nazi crimes, the social situation, the educational situation as well as with the language and culture of the Roma. The Language Commission decided as a general term for members of the minority, which is part of a group, they always belonged, only the concept of the subject to use Roma and thus replace all competing foreign names.

In the wake of the London Congress, which stimulated the activation and organization of the Roma worldwide, more politically active Roma organizations emerged in Europe and beyond. At the second "Romani Congress" in April 1978 in Geneva 50 self-organizations from all over Europe, the USA, India and Pakistan already participated. At its president delegates elected in January Cibula. The London Congress led to the founding of the International Romani Union. Among the conference participants as well as the founders of the IRU included not only representatives of the Roma Jenische Swiss Association of Travellers.

The main objectives were the recognition of the Roma as a distinct ethnic minority at the UN, the improvement of the legal status and conservation of the Roma culture. Since 1979 it belongs as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and has consultative status in UNESCO. Since 1986 she is a member of UNICEF. Focus of the work is still of use to the civil rights of Roma.

Honorary President of the IRU was in the establishment phase, the famous actor Yul Brynner. He played in the 1970s an active role in the efforts of the Roma to join together internationally and to find international recognition.

Comments

  • Romany
  • Association
  • International Organization
  • Organization ( Geneva )
  • Established in 1978
Mariella Mehr
414798
de