RESOLUTION – IHRA Working Definition of Antigypsyism

Motion 0520

General Assembly – December 27, 2020

Name of Union Submitting Policy:

JöH – Jüdische österreichische Hochschüler:innen (AT)

Preamble:

European values – respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality, and the rule of law – are threatened by antigypsyism and ongoing prejudice and discrimination faced by Roma remains a key challenge for achieving equality in Europe.

Antigypsyism is the root cause of the exclusion of the Roma people. It is a specific form of racism against Roma, Sinti, Travellers, and others stigmatised as ‘gypsies’. Currently, in European societies, antigypsyism is supported by high levels of social acceptance and a
lack of recognition and understanding of its existence and its manifestations. In order to better fight antigypsyism it is essential:

1. To understand that antigypsyism is not a ‘minority issue’. In order to combat antigypsyism, our attention needs to shift from ‘the Roma’ to the ideology and behaviour of mainstream societies;
2. To empower those dramatically affected by antigypsyism; Roma leadership, participation, and empowerment are crucial in order to overcome the long-lasting effects of antigypsyism;
3. To understand that ‘Roma inclusion’ will remain illusory as long as we do not confront antigypsyism as the root cause of exclusion.

EUJS believes:

1. That antigypsyism is the specific form of racism towards Roma, Sinti, Travellers, and others who are stigmatised as ‘Gypsies’ in the public imagination that is under no circumstances acceptable;
2. That fighting against antigypsyism, similarly to other forms of racism and discrimination such as anti-Black racism, islamophobia, and homophobia, is at the core principles and values of the European Union of Jewish Students and its membership;
3. The adoption of the EU Roma Strategic Framework on Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020-2030 by the European Commission is a key guideline for Roma inclusion;
4. The legally non-binding working definition of antigypsyism adopted by all the 34 States of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), including all the examples included therein 9 is an important tool;
5. That discrimination should be defined in order to be able to fight against it.

EUJS resolves:

1. Affirm its commitment to tackling antigypsyism in all its forms;
2. Adopt and apply the IHRA Working Definition of Antigypsyism, including all the examples included therein;
3. Encourage Member Organisations, NGOs, political groups, governments and others to adopt and apply the IHRA working definition of antigypsyism with its examples;
4. Take appropriate disciplinary action when instances of antigypsyist speech or action occur among its leadership, Secretariat, volunteers and Member Organisations;
5. Provide opportunities for educational training and awareness-raising on antigypsyism;
6. Publicly denounce actions that are antigypsyist based on the aforementioned definition.

Resources

1. More information on antigypsyism available at https://www.antigypsyism.eu
2. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1813
3. IHRA Working definition of Antigypsyism,available at: https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definitions-charters/workingdefinition-antigypsyism-anti-roma-discrimination