Photo: Spanish Roma celebrate 8 April, paying tribute to the memory of our ancestors. Pamplona, Spain
On April 8, in observance of International Roma Day, Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent greetings to Roma communities around the world.
"We celebrate a rich culture , Roma language and heritage, including – generations of Roma Americans who have contributed to the development of the United States"– Blinken noted that in many parts of the world, Roma continue to face racism, discrimination and xenophobia, leading to disproportionate poverty, injustice, and in some cases, to violence against them.
"Roma… remain one of the most disenfranchised ethnic communities in the world, – emphasized the head of the foreign policy department. – Ensuring that Roma voters have the right to unimpeded participation in free and fair elections is vital.”
The Secretary emphasized that the United States remains committed to advancing the equality and dignity of Roma as a country and at the international level.
Prepared by: Sergey Daga