International Romani Union

The International Romani Union (Romani: Romano Internacionalno Jekhetanipe), formerly known as the International Gypsy Committee and International Rom Committee, is an organization active for the rights of the Romani people. Its seat is in Vienna. The International Romani Union also has offices in Skopje, North Macedonia, and Washington, D.C., USA.

Romano Internacionalno Jekhetanipe
International Romani Union
Flag of the Romani people
Flag
Anthem: Gelem, Gelem
LocationVienna
Official languageRomani
TypeTransnational Union
Leaders
• President
Zoran Dimov
• Vice presidents
Ajten Berlafa, Stefano Kuzhicov
• Vice president for education
Punita G Singh
• Vice president for finances
Vijendra Sharma
• Head of parliament
Rosita Grönfors
• Vice presidents of the parliament
Grazziano Halilovic, Radmila Nesic
• Vice president of the IRU for the Russia, Australia, USA, Asia
Artur Kvik, Nijazi Taip, Anatoly Butakov, Veerandra Rishi
• General secretary
Ramush Muarem
• Treasurer
Veli Husein
• High commissioner - IRU Youth - Roma ombudsman
Khurram Khan - Tashya Mathuin - Nina Rusokova
Establishment1971
Website

The IRU was established at the second World Romani Congress in 1978.[1] Its presidents have included Stanislav Stankiewicz, Emil Ščuka, and before him, Rajko Đurić, who held this office for many years. The current president of the IRU is Zoran Dimov, who was elected during the 10th congress which was held on 18–20 March 2016 in Skopje, Macedonia. It was attended by 100 delegates and members of the IRU from 40 countries. After that, a new leadership of the IRU parliament chaired by the past head of parliament Stevo Balogh from Austria was elected.

The IRU has a consultative ECOSOC status within the UN.[2]

History

In 1959, Ionel Rotaru founded the World Gypsy Community (CMG) in France. While members were mostly French, the organization made contacts in Poland, Canada, Turkey, and other countries. When the French government dissolved the CMG in 1965, a breakaway group formed the International Gypsy Committee (IGC) under the leadership of Vanko Rouda. When the 1971 World Romani Congress adopted the self-appellation of "Roma" rather than gypsy, the IGC was renamed the Komiteto Lumniako Romano (International Rom Committee or IRC), and Rouda was re-confirmed as president. The committee became a member of the Council of Europe the following year. The committee changed again at the 1978 World Romani Congress and took its present name. It was given consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council the following year. The union became a registered NGO with UNICEF in 1986. In 1993, it was promoted to category II, special consultative status at the United Nations.[3]

Structure

The IRU consists of four bodies: congress, parliament, presidium, and court of justice.[4]

The IRU has institutional links with the Council of Europe, OSCE (ODHIR), UNHCHR, UNO and ERTF. The IRU has a memorandum of understanding with many other countries with a view to the "continuous improvement of the situation and living conditions of the Rom".

See also

References
  1. ZD Barany (1994). "Living on the Edge: The East European Roma in Postcommunist Politics and Societies". Slavic Review. www.jstor.org
  2. "Follow-up to the decision of the Economic and Social Council" (PDF). iromaniunion.org. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  3. Matras, Yaron (2015). The Romani Gypsies. Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674744776.
  4. NEW LEADERSHIP OF THE INTERNATIONAL ROMANI UNION

Further reading
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