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The European Roma Rights Center
(ERRC)
is an international public interest law
organisation which monitors the
human
rights situation of Roma and provides
legal defence in cases of human
rights
abuse.The Roma (Gypsies) remain to date the most deprived ethnic group of Europe. Almost everywhere, their fundamental rights are threatened. Disturbing cases of racist violence targeting Roma have occured in recent years. Discrimination against Roma in employment, education, health care, administrative and other services is common in many societies. Hate speech against Roma deepens the negative stereotypes which pervade European public opinion. The European Roma Rights Center (ERRC) is an international public interest law organisation which monitors the human rights situation of Roma and provides legal defence in cases of human rights abuse. The ERRC is governed by an international board of directors. Romani organisations and Romani individuals throughout Europe contribute time, money and expertise to the ERRC. The ERRC is a cooperating member of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights and has consultative status with the Council of Europe. The ERRC acts to combat racism and discrimination against Roma and to empower Roma to their own defence by engaging in activities which include: monitoring the human rights situation of Roma in Europe; publishing information on human rights abuse of Roma and news about the Romani civil rights movement in the form of press releases; reports on the situation of Roma in various countries; reports on themes comparing the situation of Roma in different countries; the newsletter Roma Rights and the ERRC internet homepage; legal defence: providing and supporting legal services, including litigation, to Romani victims of human rights violations; using courts of law to end discriminatory practices by engaging in impact litigation; legal research: building strategies, based on analyses of existing law and legal services, to empower Roma through law and strengthen the network of legal advocates working on behalf of Roma; conducting seminars aimed at the dissemination of information concerning Roma rights and the promotion of change- oriented litigation and law reform; advocating Roma rights in domestic and international governmental and non- governmental settings; maintaining a documentation centre of Roma-related, human rights and legal material; offering scholarships and stipends to Romani students of law and public administration. ERRC