The European Civil Rights Prize of the Sinti and Roma

The European Civil Rights Prize of the Sinti and Roma was initiated against the backdrop of the extremely grave human rights situation of Sinti and Roma in many European states, particularly in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. The prize is intended as a contribution to protect and assert the civil rights and equality of opportunity for Sinti and Roma in their respective home countries. In addition, the prize aims to encourage politicians and citizens to stand up for equal treatment of Sinti and Roma and for their inclusion and participation in all areas of public life.

It was awarded for the first time in December 2008 to former Polish Foreign Minister Władysław Bartoszewski. Against the background of his personal experiences of the National Socialist murderous terror, Władysław Bartoszewski devoted himself to the protection of human rights and the struggle against racism after the Second World War. In his writings, in a large number of public addresses and time and again with deeds he advocated from an early date that both Sinti and Roma and the Jews were victims of the systematic policy of extermination. The survivors of the Sinti and Roma and their descendants could count on his support in a great many political conflicts.

Since then the prize is awarded every two years to individuals, groups, or institutions primarily from the majority society who face up to the historical responsibility and have committed themselves in exemplary manner to improving the human rights situation of the Sinti and Roma. Previous prize-winners were former President of the European Parliament Simone Veil, the then Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg, President of the Society for Threatened Peoples Tilman Zülch, the human rights organisation Amnesty International and Andrej Kiska, former President of the Slovac Republic.