Ambassador Norman L. Eisen remarks for International Roma Day 2012
April 8 is International Roma Day and I, along with U.S. Ambassadors and
officials around the world, offer my best wishes to all members of the Roma
community. The cultural and historic ties of the Roma community in the
Czech Republic are deep and long-standing. Yet, Roma citizens continue to
face a myriad of challenges in their home country. Czechs of Roma ethnicity
have every right to demand equal access to education and employment
opportunities; safety and security for themselves and their families; safe,
affordable housing; and an end to discrimination. But, to reach these
goals, government, civil society, and the Roma community itself must be
willing to cooperate.
Earlier this year, Secretary Clinton met with young Roma activists in Sofia,
where she stated that, “helping to promote and protect the inalienable human
rights of Roma everywhere is a long-standing personal commitment of mine,
and it is a stated foreign policy priority of this Administration.” The
level of this commitment was reflected in the decision for the U.S. to join
the Decade of Roma Inclusion as an official observer. As always, the U.S. is
willing to share our own experiences with diversity and inclusion. The
struggle is often long, but worth the effort.
At the heart of the American experience is a history of diversity that
embraces the many cultures that created our country. We value the rich
ethnic, religious, and cultural traditions of our citizens and strive to
recognize the importance of each. In honor of this year’s International
Roma Day, I encourage Czechs of all backgrounds to take a moment to remember
the important role of diversity in Czech society and to fight for equal
rights for all citizens.
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April 8 is International Roma Day and I, along with U.S. Ambassadors and
officials around the world, offer my best wishes to all members of the Roma
community. The cultural and historic ties of the Roma community in the
Czech Republic are deep and long-standing. Yet, Roma citizens continue to
face a myriad of challenges in their home country. Czechs of Roma ethnicity
have every right to demand equal access to education and employment
opportunities; safety and security for themselves and their families; safe,
affordable housing; and an end to discrimination. But, to reach these
goals, government, civil society, and the Roma community itself must be
willing to cooperate.
Earlier this year, Secretary Clinton met with young Roma activists in Sofia,
where she stated that, “helping to promote and protect the inalienable human
rights of Roma everywhere is a long-standing personal commitment of mine,
and it is a stated foreign policy priority of this Administration.” The
level of this commitment was reflected in the decision for the U.S. to join
the Decade of Roma Inclusion as an official observer. As always, the U.S. is
willing to share our own experiences with diversity and inclusion. The
struggle is often long, but worth the effort.
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