http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/albanias-ombudsman-shelters-homeless-roma-in-his-office-to-highlight-plight-amid-cold-snap/2012/02/01/gIQAv

[1 February 2012] - Albania’s state ombudsman says he has moved dozens of homeless members of the Roma community into his Tirana office to highlight their plight as a cold snap hits the region.

Igli Totozani said Wednesday he has provided shelter to the 51 Roma, 25 of whom are children, to protect them from near-freezing temperatures. He said it was an “emergency solution,” warning that the children would otherwise die of exposure in the open. 

The Roma, or Gypsies, were left without shelter after being twice evicted from private land on the fringes of Tirana where they had set up tents.

Totozani said he hoped the Labour Ministry would soon resolve the situation.

Most of Albania’s Roma live in tents or ramshackle homes in city outskirts, and lack access to adequate housing, education and employment. 

Further Information: 

• SERBIA: Authorities must halt eviction of Romani families (11 November 2011) 
• ITALY: Romani families forced onto the street by continuing evictions in Rome (31 October 2011)
• ROMANIA: Rights groups slam Mayor's plan to evict Roma (5 September 2011) 
• EUROPE: Stateless Roma: no documents – no rights (August 2010)
• PORTUGAL: Portugal brought before European Tribunal for Roma housing situation (13 May 2010)
• CRIN editorial on Roma rights
• UN factsheet on the Right to Adequate Housing
• More on children's rights in Albania

Previous News release items

• 07/02/2012: AFGHANISTAN: Civilians continue to die in record numbers
• 07/02/2012: EGYPT: Charges against US aided groups come with history of distrust
• 07/02/2012: KYRGYZSTAN: 270 children were infected with HIV and AIDS due to health system failures
• 07/02/2012: SYRIA: Double veto of draft Security Council Resolution on Syria a betrayal of protesters (Arabic)
• 07/02/2012: YEMEN: Fighting in north leads to fresh displacements (Arabic)

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The Washington Post

Last updated 08/02/2012 11:53:07

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