Dear Mr. Josep Borrel Fontelles,
The European Roma Information Office, an international advocacy organization based in Brussels, expresses its deep concerns about the racist statement of Mr. Dimitar Stoyanov, an observer from the Bulgarian party “Ataka” to the European Parliament, towards MEP Livia Jaroka and the Roma population as whole.
The racist anti-Roma statement made by Dimitar Stoyanov on September 28, 2006, in the European Parliament not only attempted to humiliate MEP Livia Jaroka and offended the largest minority in Europe, but also shocked many EU and Bulgarian officials and non-Roma civil organizations.
The European Roma Information Office finds unacceptable that people like Mr. Stoyanov, a potential MEP, will be a part of the highest decision-making body in Europe, which legislation and policies are aiming on tolerating the diversity and eradication of racism and discrimination. The vulgar language he is using in his statement is a clear indication of his own prejudices towards the Roma and a lack of knowledge concerning this ethnic group. His age and unawareness of ethical conduct can not be justification for his non-democratic position which results in promoting racial harassment. The letter of apology followed the incident also contains elements of demagogy and manipulation typical to the approach of his political party, where he says that he and his party have never made racist statements. In this regard ERIO would like to remind you that last year a dozen of civil rights organizations and individuals from Bulgaria took legal action against the leader of Mr. Stoyanov’s party for making racist and anti-Gypsy statements publicly. Earlier this year the national court found on the first of eight cases filed against Mr. Siderov that his statements are considered as harassment to the ethnic minorities in Bulgaria and provoking racial discrimination. Another seven cases filed under the Bulgarian Anti-Discrimination Law against him are still pending with the Bulgarian court.
Mr. Dimitar Stoyanov acknowledges that his behavior was racist and asks to be released from responsibility, because he also felt offended by his colleagues considering his act as racist. He based his arguments on the Bulgarian Criminal Code according to which “if someone is insulted and replies with insult, both sides should be released from responsibility”.
ERIO is afraid that people with political agenda similar to the one of Mr. Stoyanov, where anti-Gypsism is the priority will continue to misuse their right to freedom of expression and to interpret wrongly and in the same manner the EU principles of equal treatment and anti-discrimination legal norms.
ERIO encourages the European Parliament to take the necessary measures to prevent the involvement of such people in the European Union decision making process. Such measures will advance the European institutions in developing policies for strengthening the democracy within the Union.
Ivan Ivanov, Executive Director
October 02, 2006
The European Roma Information Office (ERIO) is an international advocacy organization, which promotes political and public discussion on Roma issues by providing factual and in-dept information on a range of policy issues to the European Union institutions, Roma civil organizations, governmental authorities and intergovernmental bodies. The ERIO cooperates with a network of a large number of organizations and acts to combat racial discrimination and social exclusion through awareness raising, lobbying and policy development.
ERIO
Ave. Edouard Lacomble 17
Brussels 1040
Belgium
http://www.erionet.org
Tel: 0032(0)27333462
Fax: 0032(0)27333875
The European Roma Information Office, an international advocacy organization based in Brussels, expresses its deep concerns about the racist statement of Mr. Dimitar Stoyanov, an observer from the Bulgarian party “Ataka” to the European Parliament, towards MEP Livia Jaroka and the Roma population as whole.
The racist anti-Roma statement made by Dimitar Stoyanov on September 28, 2006, in the European Parliament not only attempted to humiliate MEP Livia Jaroka and offended the largest minority in Europe, but also shocked many EU and Bulgarian officials and non-Roma civil organizations.
The European Roma Information Office finds unacceptable that people like Mr. Stoyanov, a potential MEP, will be a part of the highest decision-making body in Europe, which legislation and policies are aiming on tolerating the diversity and eradication of racism and discrimination. The vulgar language he is using in his statement is a clear indication of his own prejudices towards the Roma and a lack of knowledge concerning this ethnic group. His age and unawareness of ethical conduct can not be justification for his non-democratic position which results in promoting racial harassment. The letter of apology followed the incident also contains elements of demagogy and manipulation typical to the approach of his political party, where he says that he and his party have never made racist statements. In this regard ERIO would like to remind you that last year a dozen of civil rights organizations and individuals from Bulgaria took legal action against the leader of Mr. Stoyanov’s party for making racist and anti-Gypsy statements publicly. Earlier this year the national court found on the first of eight cases filed against Mr. Siderov that his statements are considered as harassment to the ethnic minorities in Bulgaria and provoking racial discrimination. Another seven cases filed under the Bulgarian Anti-Discrimination Law against him are still pending with the Bulgarian court.
Mr. Dimitar Stoyanov acknowledges that his behavior was racist and asks to be released from responsibility, because he also felt offended by his colleagues considering his act as racist. He based his arguments on the Bulgarian Criminal Code according to which “if someone is insulted and replies with insult, both sides should be released from responsibility”.
ERIO is afraid that people with political agenda similar to the one of Mr. Stoyanov, where anti-Gypsism is the priority will continue to misuse their right to freedom of expression and to interpret wrongly and in the same manner the EU principles of equal treatment and anti-discrimination legal norms.
ERIO encourages the European Parliament to take the necessary measures to prevent the involvement of such people in the European Union decision making process. Such measures will advance the European institutions in developing policies for strengthening the democracy within the Union.
Ivan Ivanov, Executive Director
October 02, 2006
The European Roma Information Office (ERIO) is an international advocacy organization, which promotes political and public discussion on Roma issues by providing factual and in-dept information on a range of policy issues to the European Union institutions, Roma civil organizations, governmental authorities and intergovernmental bodies. The ERIO cooperates with a network of a large number of organizations and acts to combat racial discrimination and social exclusion through awareness raising, lobbying and policy development.
ERIO
Ave. Edouard Lacomble 17
Brussels 1040
Belgium
http://www.erionet.org
Tel: 0032(0)27333462
Fax: 0032(0)27333875