Nikolic calls for promotion of Roma rights in Serbia

BELGRADE - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Wednesday called for the promotion of Roma rights in Serbia, stressing that the government should do everything it can to empower members of this national minority to enjoy their rights.

The president pointed out that affirmative action should be used to help the Roma preserve their national identity, the media service said in a release.

On the occasion of International Roma Day, marked on April 8 around the world, Nikolic received members of the Roma minority who presented to him the platform for the improvement of Roma status in Serbia.

According to the release, they stressed that despite the difficult position of the Roma community in general, progress has been made in the previous period in solving the issues regarding their access to education and healthcare.

Unemployment remains the main cause for concern, along with ensuring adequate housing conditions for the Roma, the release states.

Photo Tanjug/Zoran Zestic