Discrimination

Friday, 21 March 2014

Praxis and Liceulice Mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: The Colour of One’s Skin Is as Important as the Colour of One’s Eyes

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Praxis and Liceulice would like to raise awareness of the public about the high level of racism that is present in all spheres of our society. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is marked in memory of 69 persons who were killed on 21 March 1960 for protesting against the racial apartheid policy in the South African city Sharpeville. In 1966, United Nations General Assembly decided that 21 March would be marked as the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Through numerous activities organized by Praxis and Liceulice in the period from 15 to 23 March 2014, within the European Week against Racism, the organizations would like to draw the attention of the authorities and wider public to the fact that members of the minority groups, primarily the Roma, are exposed to racial discrimination which inevitably leads to their social exclusion. Despite the national and international legislation on prohibition of discrimination, members of the Roma population are still facing serious problems in accessing socioeconomic rights. Roma families live on the edge of poverty, in informal settlements which are disappearing to make room for large infrastructural projects, and Roma become homeless, deprived of the access to the right to adequate housing. The members of the Roma population are often perceived as second-class citizens, exposed to prejudices, stereotypes and intolerance by the majority population, media and authorities.

Prraxis and Liceulice are organizing a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the necessity of eliminating racial discrimination. During the week, the organizations are posting antiracial messages in the social networks, and in the postcards they write messages depicting racism as seen through the eyes of students, Roma addressing Praxis for assistance, buyers of the magazine Liceulice and others. It has been planned to send the postcards to the responsible institutions and to distribute the collected messages via social networks. Together with IPAK.Centre, the graffiti night action of marking the safe place was organized.

Praxis and Liceulice continue their activities within the European Week against Racism.

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