Finland should campaign for Roma at EU level

As in other European countries, in Finland too there is a debate about the integration of Roma from Eastern Europe. Frank Johansson, the director of Amnesty International Finland, writes in the daily Helsingin Sanomat that the country has been successful in integrating the minority and should become more active on the Roma issue at an EU level: "The EU anti-racism and discrimination guideline are not being effectively implemented and the situation of the Roma is not being taken into account in the utilisation of structural funds. The reason for this is the lack of political will. To create the political will and break this vicious circle we will have to listen to the poor. ... Finland has done more to improve the situation of the Roma living in the country than many other countries. Therefore it should assume an active role on European committees to guarantee the rights of the Roma minorities. The government should provide political support and sufficient resources for Finland to do this."

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