The President of the Roma Foundation for Europe has urged political leaders to denounce “racist language” in election campaigns.
The call from Zeljko Jovanovic comes on the eve of elections in Portugal this weekend.
During the campaign, some political leaders there have been accused of using “racist” language.
In light of this, Jovanovic warned, “These discriminatory campaigns contribute directly to the climate of discrimination and hostility Roma already face on a daily basis.
“Across Europe, violence against Roma is a daily reality, alongside discrimination in education, housing, employment and access to public services. When political leaders exploit these stereotypes for electoral gain, they legitimise exclusion and increase the risk of harm.”
He called on political parties in Europe to adopt self-regulatory measures to exclude racist language.
The situation in Portugal, he said, raises broader concerns about how election campaigns across Europe are increasingly being used to reinforce harmful stereotypes and normalise minority-targeted rhetoric.
Roma communities already discrimination in Portugal, it it claimed,where the Roma population is estimated to be up to 70,000. According to the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights 2024 Roma Survey, in Portugal, 63% of Roma surveyed said they had experienced discrimination in the past year – the second highest rate recorded – alongside rising levels of bullying and harassment of Roma children in schools, at a time when recent anti-Roma attacks in other parts of Europe have once more underscored the real-world consequences of stigmatisation.
Jovanovic added:
“A society that consistently stigmatises and excludes a significant part of its population on the basis of ethnic identity ultimately weakens itself. Roma are among the youngest, most resilient and vibrant populations in Europe, and given equal treatment and genuine opportunity, they will play a vital role in Europe’s future.”
“European governments must promote education on Roma history and culture, including the history of the Roma Holocaust, to counter modern stereotypes,”
he advised.
Jovanovic calls on electoral authorities and public institutions to “take responsibility for preventing this kind of targeting”, including by prohibiting and immediately removing campaign materials “that portray entire communities as threats or enemies.”
He also stresses that
“hate-based violations must trigger swift sanctions during the campaign period, not symbolic penalties after votes are cast, and that independent oversight bodies must be empowered to review and act against discriminatory political advertising in real time.”
Political leaders, he adds, must speak out without delay when communities are targeted.
The Roma Foundation for Europe is an advocacy-oriented foundation equipped with a Roma-led vision, strategy, expertise, and a vast network nurtured over decades.
