Action plan against Roma discrimination launched

An action plan to prevent discrimination against Turkey's Roma citizens came into effect after being published in the Official Gazette on April 30. The plan consists of measures in education, employment, housing, healthcare and social services in order to improve the living conditions of Roma people. 

"The Strategy Document for Roma Citizens" and the "First Phase Action Plan" were published in the Official Gazette as part of efforts by the Family and Social Policies Ministry to eliminate the problems experienced by Roma citizens, who reside in the most disadvantaged and impoverished neighborhoods of their respective hometowns. 

The action plan outlined a struggle to be carried out on five major fronts: Education, employment, housing, healthcare and social services. A monitoring and evaluation committee was also set to be formed in order to supervise progress in each of the aforementioned areas. 

Education stands out as a major concern to ensure equality, as the ministry noted the role of discrimination and economic difficulties in inhibiting the attendance of Roma children in school. 

"In conclusion, some Roma children are unable to continue their education because their families are unable to meet the costs of education or because they need to work to provide financial support to their families, while other children who continue their schooling fall out because they face social exclusion," the document said. 

In order to counter these problems, the ministry will identify children who dropped out of school and reach out to their families to inform them on the importance of education. Make-up classes will also be scheduled in predominantly Roma neighborhoods to enable Roma children to catch up with their peers.