International Romani Union

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The International Romani Union (Romani: Romano Internacionalno Jekhetani Union) is an organization active for the rights of the Roma people. Its seat is in Prague.

The IRU was officially established at the second World Romani Congress in 1978. Since 2000, the president has been Emil Ščuka, before him Rajko Djuric had this office for many years. The Spanish organisation Union Romani is affiliated with the International Romani Union.

[edit] History

In 1959, Ionel Rotaru founded the The World Gypsy Community (CMG) in France. While members were mostly French, tho organization made contacts in Poland, Canada, Turkey, and other countries. When the French government disolved 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 Committeee was changed again at the 1978 World Romani Congress and given its present name. It was given consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council the following year. The Union became a member of UNICEF in 1986, and a member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 1990. In 1993, it was promoted to Category II, Special Consultative Status at the United Nations.

[edit] References

• Timeline of Romani History - Patrin