In addition to helping raise awareness of anti-Roma racism, the working definition will be used in education and professional training contexts.
Jan Hero, member of the Slovak Delegation to the IHRA and Governmental Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities, welcomed the adoption of the definition. Stressing its importance as an educational tool, he said, “There is no doubt that the working definition will assist educators – whether of schoolchildren or of professionals – in helping their students recognize hatred, racism, and discrimination both in everyday life and on the internet. The definition’s explanation of the enduring impact of anti-Roma racism today, together with real-world examples of how it can manifest, will prove useful in the classroom.”
Martin Korcok, former Chair of the Committee on the Genocide of the Roma and Director of the Holocaust Museum in Sered, said, “Slovakia’s adoption of the working definition comes at an important time and will supplement the educational materials for Slovak teachers on the Roma genocide, prepared by the Sered Holocaust Museum in cooperation with the Office of the Governmental Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities.”
Martin Korcok is also the IHRA representative on the Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues (ADI-ROM) of the Council of Europe.
Learn more about the IHRA’s work to raise awareness of the genocide of the Roma and to counter anti-Roma racism.
