Novo mesto, 8 April (STA) - The situation of the Roma community is improving, however, the government should step in where local authorities will not or cannot play their role, Human Rights Ombudsman Vlasta Nussdorfer stressed in her address to a ceremony in Novo mesto marking World Roma Day.
Nussdorfer urged the state to help municipalities tackle issues regarding Roma communities. According to her, this is meant especially for municipalities in the south-east of the country, where the situation is the most problematic.
She moreover stressed that the law on Roma community should be implemented so that the Roma of the Dolenjsko region would get a representative as well as financial aid and help with children's education.
Among the initiatives received by the ombudsman, those concerning basic living conditions and education of children are the most common, she explained.
All Roma children should be part of the education system, starting with kindergarten, where they would learn Slovenian, which is a major issue.
She also praised certain municipalities, which are acting constructively in relations with the Roma, meeting them and enabling them normal life.
The ombudsman moreover warned against prejudices against the Roma, while noting that rights of the Roma must be respected as well as those of the majority population.
A ceremony marking World Roma Day in Trebnje was addressed by director of the Office for Nationalities Tamara Vonta, who stressed that problems encountered by Roma should be tackled in the triangle consisting of the state, local communities and the Roma.
"Where this triangle has been established, results are positive, where it hasn't been, dissatisfaction is growing," she stressed.
