MINELRES: Romania: Ethnic Diversity Briefs, No.26

[MINELRES moderator]

Original sender: Mediafax <divers@mediafax.ro>


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No. 26 / October 7, 2002

DIVERS
- reporting ethnic diversity -

SUMMARY
1. UDMR CONFLICT GETS DEEPENED
2. ROMANIA REGISTERED PROGRESS ON OBSERVING MINORITIES' RIGHTS
3. SWITZERLAND CONTINUES EXPELLING ROMA ETHNICS FROM ROMANIA
4. OVER 3000 ROMA PEOPLE OFFICIALLY WITH A JOB
5. GERMANY DAY CELEBRATED IN SIBIU
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UDMR CONFLICT GETS DEEPENED
BUCHAREST - Discords between the two major directions within Democrat
Union of Magyars from Romania (UDMR) are obvious as the radicals'
leader, Protestant pastor Laszlo Tokes, announced that he demands
cancellation of the decisions made by the Union Representatives Board,
the main forum of UDMR. Tokes pointed out that he submitted the request,
as he believes that CRU decision to summon up UDMR Congress is
"illegitimate".
UDMR chairman Marko Bela stated that Tokes attempts, through his actions
or by all means, "to make topsy -turvey" the force reports within UDMR.
"I regret a lot that Mister bishop finds himself in such a difficult
situation when he approached court actions to impose his political
convictions", said Marko Bela. The UDMR chairman stated that Tokes does
"not know" UDMR statute, the decisions made by UDMR Congress and that
the bishop "is not right".  Marko Bela deems "extremely sad" Tokes's
procedures and appreciates that such an action of UDMR honor chairman
"is groundless". UDMR presently confronts two directions, the one led by
Marko Bela considering as opportune the collaboration with the
governance party as a means to meet the demands of Magyar ethnics. The
wing run by Laszlo Tokes opposes to this collaboration and sticks up for
radical attitude related to the reports with the Romanian political
forces. (DIVERS)

ROMANIA REGISTERED PROGRESS ON OBSERVING MINORITIES' RIGHTS
BUCHAREST - On Wednesday, October 9, the European Commission released
for the press the country report for Romania, this official document
recording progress as regards strengthening up institutional stability
and the observance of ethnical minorities' rights. One of the main
conclusions of the report is that Romania succeeded in establishing
institutional frame to fight against discrimination. Positive trend was
registered in terms of the behavior towards minorities. The legislation
expanding use of minorities' language was implemented quite without
problems. Significant steps in implementing the national Strategy to
improve Roma condition were approached, in the purpose of effectively
fighting against discrimination and in improving life standards, though
there will be necessary supplementary finance resources to assure
progress for now on. (DIVERS)

SWITZERLAND CONTINUES EXPELLING ROMA ETHNICS FROM ROMANIA
SUCEAVA - Switzerland will no longer accept asylum requests, on
discrimination basis, signed by Romanian citizens of Roma ethnicity, and
they are to be sent back in Romania, according to the authorities from
Geneva. Also this week they kept on expelling Romanian ethnics from
Romania, whose requests for political asylum were rejected. Other 200
persons are to be sent in Bucharest the next week. (DIVERS)

OVER 3000 ROMA PEOPLE OFFICIALLY WITH A JOB
BUCHAREST - In the first eight months of the year, 3,344 Roma ethnics
succeeded in finding a job by means of National Agency for Job
Recruitment (ANOFM). The action is part of Government Strategy to
improve Roma condition, where the Ministry of Labor and Social
Solidarity (MMSS) is in charge for the 23 activities stipulated in the
general measure plan. "Through the collaboration between MMSS, ANOFM and
Roma representatives we want to give many Roma people the chance to
integrate professionally and socially", said Ioan Cindrea, ANOFM
president. (DIVERS)

GERMANY DAY CELEBRATED IN SIBIU
SIBIU - Germany Day was celebrated on Thursday October 3 in Sibiu
(middle Romania) by few hundred persons willing to join German
community. Klaus Johannis, the only mayor of minor ethnicity of an
important city from Romania, congratulated the German authorities as
"they proved to be a serious partner while pursuing all the projects for
the German community from Transylvania". (DIVERS)

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