Roma Housing and Settlements in South-Eastern Europe Vladimir Macura and Zlata Vuksanovic-Macura

8/6/2019 Roma Housing and Settlements in South-Eastern Europe Vladimir Macura and Zlata Vuksanovic-Macura

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ODIHR

Profle and Achievements in Serbia

in a Comparative Framework

Summary and Recommendations

Roma Housing and Settlements

in South-Eastern Europe


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3/42

Roma Housing and Settlementsin South-Eastern Europe

Proile and Achievements in Serbia

in a Comparative Framework

Summary and Recommendations


4/42

P y OSCE O D I

H R (ODIHR)

A. Ujz 19

00-557 W

P

../

OSCE/ODIHR 2006

ISBN 83-60190-32-1

A . T y y

- , y y

OSCE/ODIHR .

D y N R

P P y S

Tis document presents a summary and conclusions of a report written by Vladimir Macura and Zlata

Vuksanovic. Te full version of their report in Serbian was published with support from the ODIHR.


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Contents

Introduction vii

1. TheLegalizationofRomaSettlements 11.1 Reaching a Political Decision or Legalization 2

1.2 Solving the Problem o Property/Right to Use Land 5

1.3 Issuing an Urban Plan as an Instrument o Legalization 8

1.4 Te Division o Public and Private Land 12

2. TheLegalizationofIndividualLotsandHouses 15

3.ImprovingExistingLegalSettlements 193.1 Te Structural Consolidation o Settlements

193.2 Settlement Centre 20

3.3 Residential Areas o Settlements 21

3.4 Te Settlement Work Zone 23

3.5 Streets and rac Routes 24

3.6 Construction o Inrastructure and Utility Services 25

4. WaystoResolvetheHousingIssue 274.1 Sel-help Housing with Proessional Assistance 28

4.2 Sel-help Housing on a Lot Provided Free o Charge 28

4.3 Co-operative Construction 284.4 Purchase o a Low-Cost Apartment 28

4.5 Subsidized Renting 28

4.6 Social Housing 29

4.7 Use o Emergency Accommodation 29

4.8 Use o Buildings Originally Designed or Other Purposes 29

5. TheProcessofSettlementDevelopment 315.1 Municipal Involvement in Settlement Construction and Development 31

5.2 Involvement o the Local Roma Community in the Settlement 32

6. GeneralConclusionsandRecommendations 33


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vii

Introduction

T OSCE , y S-E E, R

x y z. A , -

y, ,

2003 OSCE Action Plan on Improving the Situation o Roma and Sinti

Within the OSCE Area. T -,

, q -

. W ,

-

- .

P

: , -

, q -

, ,

y R S

. R-

y

x.

T -

S- Stanovanje i naselja roma u jugoistonoj Evropi: prikaz stanja i napretka

u Srbiji (R H S S-E E: P A

S C F) y V M Z V,

2006 ODIHR. T /-,

- y R .1 I

x S y x

S S-E E.

1 T z OSCE, C E,E U, U N; y D R I2005-2015; ; NGO R .


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Roma Housing and Settlements in South-Eastern Europeviii

T R S . T --

, y (IDP) ,

W , y y

, y . W

x , y y .

T R

, , , - , -

, x .

T y R :

1. Legalization z / -

. T y

x R ;

2. Improvement ; 3. Construction , ,

, , ,

y x R -

.

I , R -

. M f

, , -

R . H, R y y

f .

T fve basic implementation processes :

Lz ;

Lz ;

I x ;

Wy ;

P .

A x , jy -

R . L

. T, y z

y . T y

R.


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1. The Legalization o RomaSettlements

A

y -

q . A Action Plan on Improving

the Situation o Roma and Sinti Within the OSCE Area , y

z R S -

y.

T Caring or the Earth: A Strategy or Sustainable Living z

. T -

y . T -

:

() Lz , ;

() A y ; y : y

y ;() P y, , , y -

: ;

() Iy , --- y -

z ; , y, y; y

, .

T y -

R S f

.

OSCE WORKING DEFINITION OF AN ILLEGALLY BUILT SETTLEMENT

An inormal settlement is any human settlement where housing has been constructed without

the requisite permits or legal title or use o the land.

T y - -

:

Reaching a political decision z y R -

y a comprehensive study;

Solving the problem o land ownership z , y -

owners and the users o the land;

2 Caring or the Earth: A Strategy or Sustainable Living(G, Sz; IUCN/UNEP/WWF; 1991).

3 R R I S B Hz (OSCE M B Hz,2003), . 3.


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Roma Housing and Settlements in South-Eastern Europe

Adopting an urban plan R

z x , taking intoconsideration the reality in

the feld;

Division o public rom private land;

Issuing a decision on the legality o individual houses determined ownership o the land the urban plan.

1.1 Reaching a Political Decision or Legalization

T L P C S -

( ) ,

q q z. A z

R . F y , , y

. T y , z

. T , , , y y

z

y. A y ,

y.

My z z z R

y .4 A y

UN H C R C E -

S : O R y, -

R IDP, . W z , q

, z .5

T R

y. S y R

y y. T R

, , x R

. T -y, , -

R . I , R,

, qy ,

R , .

CriteriaforLegalizationofSettlements

My y R y -

q , . S -

f y ( jy

y ) ,

4 S C V, S 24, S C E D B,2004; V D I S SEE, Sy P 2004; J S R Oz R Ex E, 2003.

5 UNHCR CE B C, O 2005.


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z.

My ,

, y -

: , y,

, , . My

y ,

y y

R y. M, R

y y,

y q . T -

, -, , -q

. B , y z. I , y

y R . A

, y x R y y y

z.

T z R .

T y-

z R :

Planned status y R . I z y -

y . E -

, , . I

z , ,

.

Land ownership R . I

z y y R . I

z y

y .

Position in the city, , R y

. I z y -

. S y z,

y j .

I public urban land, y z-

. I z -

, , , , .


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Environmental conditions

R z. I y z

. I -

y, , y z

y.

Conditions of transport, , y f , -

z . S , ,

, z y

. I z

y R y.

Proximity of public transportation. S y

. B

y .

A y

R z.

ASolutionforSettlementsThatCannotbeLegalized

Ay y z y R -

z y . A y y ,

xy y , y

y . A

q z. T z R y y

y y. I y

y . S

:

Reimbursement for voluntary evacuation y

y S. R y y

y . T y y R y

, R y y

. T ; -

, y , ,

.6

emporary accommodation , y

R y y.7 T

. I , . F,

; ,

6 S S R S Ry B.

7 A Bj .


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: y - ; ,

-

, ; y, y

y .

Providing new apartments f y

. S

y R z. F-

y y

q . I

z, y y

z .

Construction of a new settlement , y , -

y . I , y R. A

x y . A y -

,

.

emporary improvement of settlements y y -

y . Ny

, , . C

.

Housing for seasonal workers and their families y, y y

. T y y y. I y

-, f . I y

.

1.2 Solving the Problem o Property/Right to Use Land

T z R x

. T y y qy

R -

. C , y

R y . T

R y

/ y. T, q .

OwnershipandUseofUrbanConstructionLand

I S, , , , -

y. A , , y

y . P y

2003 L . S y -

. R y


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y . I y

y L 2003, y

.

TypesofCurrentLandownersC , , z y

/ R y

, z / .

W y R ,

. M -

y y R

y. O, y q

, . C

R f

z y S.8 T jy z y . I , y -

y. I y

, x ,

R. I y, y R -

y . Fy,

y y y .

OSCE WORKING DEFINITION OF RIGHT TO USE LAND/RESIDENTIAL SPACE

Tenure is an agreement between an individual or group and a private or public land owner on

the use o land or residential property. Security o tenure exists when a right to access and land

use are underwritten by a known set o rules and this right is justiciable.

BasicProvisionsinLandNegotiations

T P C L S, ,

. T -

. I , q

z y . T, y

.

T

R , .

Roma should own/use the land on which their houses are built. I z

, x /

. T .

Housing conditions for Roma need to be improved along with solving the issue of land status.

T z. I R

y y /

8 T y y z B R.

9 Op. cit., 3, OSCE M B Hz, . 4.


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. S y R

.

A fair agreement between present owners/users and Roma q

/ . T R ,

y .

Te municipality should lead negotiations R

/ y z y

. R y x x . T,

y y.

Te entire processshould be monitored y . R

R y , My H- My R, My F, My P C,

. T

. I

.

FOUR WAYS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF A SETTLEMENT ON PRIVATE LAND IN BOSNIA

AND HERZEGOVINA10

The legal regulation o settlements located on private land pose various problems that require

solutions. In order to identiy the best solution in a specifc case, it is necessary to consult the

municipality, the owners, and the Roma community. Possible ways are as ollows:

The municipality or residents o an inormal settlement purchase the land rom the private

owner on behal o the whole settlement;

The residents obtain permission rom the owner to reside on the land through lawul rental or

leasehold agreements;

The residents may in some cases acquire ownership o the land through court procedures,

provided that they constructed the buildings in good aith and that the land owner knew they

were using the land, as well as meeting additional criteria defned in the law;

Residents may also seek the expropriation o the private property they reside on through the

Municipal Assembly, on the basis o public interest, and then request that it be reallocated

under public competition. However, the reallocation process cannot guarantee that the land

would then be allocated to the Roma currently residing on it.

SolutionsinCasesofMunicipalLand

I B, W B y

y . W -

f, j R -

y. T y R y z y

.11 T

y .

10 Ibid., . 5-6.

11 W B, S By A P L-I H M-Pj S, 2001.


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S y R y, q

. O NGO -

y , , , ,

y, y . 12

A R -

y . T y R,

, R . T -

y R f

y y.13 T

B z 2002-2003. T W B

R Fakulteti

S Lozenets .14

SolutionsinCasesWhereRomaOwntheLandR , ,

. Ty y. F ,

/ . S y , -

. T y q

y . O

.

1.3 Issuing an Urban Plan as an Instrument o Legalization

A R L P C , z y L. T

y, y, . Te legalization o a set-

tlement by means o an urban plan is a political process, unlike the legalization o individual

houses, which is an administrative process.

My R ,

- . T y

regulatory ramework or urban planning x -

, q: H R

z y y ? T y

: y , , ,

, .

12 G. Py M. Mj, Te Urban Housing Manual: Making Regulatory Frameworks or the Poor (E, 2004),. 52.

13 T y , y - y R y. S R M R P, R N, , B R.

14 Op. cit., 11, W B, . 24.


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ROMA HOUSING UPGRADING IS NOT POSSIBLE USING CURRENT LEGISLATION

The Inter-Ethnic Initiative or Human Rights Foundation stressed in October 200 the ollowing:

A rights-based approach to solving housing problems and improving living conditions in Ro-

many neighbourhoods is impossible on the basis o current territorial planning legislation.15

This

statement is true or many countries because legislation was developed without awareness o

the necessity or an inclusive approach.

InclusiveUrbanismforRomaSettlements

T , y

R . T

q R S.

I y , y jy

y y -y

y y R.

New urbanism. T U S 1980

y. T . I z R

, y -

y. I , , ,

.

N , , , ,

x- , -

, . T -

, , , , , , y

, y .16

My R , y mahalas ( R ),

. T q

y .

Urban upgrading. T W B . U () - y ,

: y q -

y. () U y

, . S

qy , y

y. Ey

y . B y y :

y ,

15 I-E I H R F, A R B S R P

A 25 P 1 F C P N M, (2003),..///B_FCNM_NGO_2004..

16 A : ..//416429/x..


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Roma Housing and Settlements in South-Eastern Europe0

, y f

y.17

Te balanced cityconcept. T y -

x, f . I S, , Sy I L R C (SIRLC) C U D-

(CEP), z y . S

y; ; ,

, , ; y .

A CEP R y, x

y y

R .

T z y , y

, y q y , y, .

HowMuchSpaceShouldanUrbanPlanInclude?

O y q -

y j . H y

.

aking a Roma settlement in its entirety . T

, qy. T

18 19 y , . -

.., z

y .

Borders should include not only the Roma settlement but non-Roma areas as well

. A R z, y y,

. S,

R -R . N

R . I ,

-R .

A , . F x,

cadastral registration ( , x,

x) y

.

17 A : ://..////-..

18 A Lj, y Mj, -y y , f , y .

19 S y y . S M R P, Vj Bj.


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WhatTypeofPlanShouldBeDevisedforRomaSettlements?

T L P C

R . T , -

, , j. T y y

( ), , ( , , ,

). K R y y,

:

Aplan of detailed regulation(PDR) ( ) y. A

PDR qy y. T f -

q , , , z

. T y x

jy R .

Aplan of principal development (PPD) y,

R . T

- j ,

, L.20 T PPD

. T y : ) ; )

, y, , , -

; ) z . A -

,21 PPD y

y , (

) . R , PPD PDR.

ProblemswiththeCadastreandTopographicMapsasaBasisforUrbanPlans

T . I y -

, . T y

y R , y

R y. T y x

22 cadastre . C y y

, . A y

y y z , . T :

Mapping the existing situation. W ,23 GPS y, ,24

, x , maps can be made that correspond to the actual situ-

20 S L P C, A 37.

21 T , x , .

22 M F 1996 f y y .

23 A y y .

24 Gy , x - , , , .


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ation in the feld. T S y

.

Direct use of ortophoto materials. T , R

P D U P, , , x .

A y

-

y. I

y .

TheProcessofDevisingorChangingaPlan

T L P C -

.25 T y y ,

-

, , y y. T B M P

y. T y -

R .

1.4 Te Division o Public and Private Land

T , -

-. I R , . T -

, , . I . I y

. R

, y x-

y. Gy,

,

. I y

, y . I

z , ,

:

Te establishment of a committee to divide the land into public and private

. T R ,

, y. T

y y ,

.

Each members contribution to the committee is important. R R -

y -

. T R -

25 T L P C, A 55.


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. M

y. I y ,

, R y. L y

y R .

Settlement leaders and Roma representatives in the committee should organize public meetings

with all the inhabitants x ,

, y

. T R y

: , .

Provide a sketch with the position of street boundaries. T -

. T y.

Mark the street boundary on the terrain.A

, z y . T

R .

Removing fences or demolishing auxiliary facilities. T y

. G y , y

q (y, , .)

.

Families should not ask for reimbursement for removed and demolished property y

.


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Te police should provide security during the removal and demolition process, y

. Ty

y y.

Te provision of new housing for families whose homes must be demolished. y y .

T , , , -

. T

( , , .). F-

, z

.


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2. The Legalization o IndividualLots and Houses

M

y R . T

y R . A -

z R , ,

z R . R j

R Ex E: C F.26 T

z Ry

.H y

z:

Sy y R ;

R y ;

P - ;

A ;A .

TwoPrerequisitesforLegalization

Lz y z

. I , z ,

y. T z y y ,

z y .

z : on its own land or on

land that the owner has the right to use , , the structure must not endanger its surroundings . T z

. A y

. T

.

LegalizationProcedure

T z S. T z

y 1970 1990 , -

y . T L P C-

2003 , . T

26 R I C R Ex E: C F, 1 Jy 2003, . 1.


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z y , L

f, 117,000 q z B, y 2

. T R y y z

.

SimplificationoftheLegalizationProcedure

T - z ,

qy. S -

y. T

:

An urban plan that depicts the current situation -

y, .., .

A procedure for dividing public and private land . T, z .

Te transfer of rights to use/own land y y

/ .

Te statement of a witness should be accepted as valid proof -

. W y, R .

A qy , y y

j qy.

A fee waiver f

z .

Waiver of the urban land-use fee q x.

Cy, .

Providing legal/technical assistance to citizens z

y.


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Table: Comparison between conventional town-planning and the new inclusive urbanism

approaches

Conventional town-planning New inclusive urbanism

Doctrine base Various theories and approacheso the post-modern doctrineso the International Congress o

Modern Architecture

Adequate Housing, SustainableCity Movement, New Urbanism

and Settlements Upgrading

theories.

Actors and their roles Municipality and proessionals.Roma have a passive role. They

are included at the end o the

planning process during the public

presentation.

Municipality and Roma. Roma

are active partners rom the very

beginning o the planning process.

Proessionals are assistants in the

process.

Type of urban plan Based on rigid town-planningstandards, partially on ofcial

inormation and feld data.

Based on ofcial inormation,

feld data, saety standards and

environmental requirements.

Maps for planning

process

Updated cadastre and

topographic maps.

Ortophoto and feld survey

maps, in addition to the available

cadastral and topographic maps.

Result Plans that are very ar romreality and oten an obstacle to

settlement development.

Plans that support settlement

development.


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27/42

3. Improving Existing LegalSettlements

A x R -

R . I q

jy R . T y

R y , y y,

jy R .

T y R ,

y y . I y,

R y R

, , y

y. I , R y z, y y y, ,

. T y

x .

T R -

y. T R , ..,

, . T

y x y

j. R y S. M R y

y . Pj, , q . Ty j

. T

, , y,

z y .

3.1 Te Structural Consolidation o Settlements

T R . Ex-

z,

. F y , y . H, ,

.


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Roma Housing and Settlements in South-Eastern Europe0

Table: The most important elements in settlement consolidation

Topic Problem Solution

Settlement centre Insufcient cohesion A centre is needed

Residential zones High residential density Limit density

Work areas Mixed with housing Separation is necessary

Street networks Lack o hierarchy Introduce hierarchy o streets

Inrastructure Insufcient or missing inrastructure Introduce/improve it

Green areas Absent green areasBoth private and public

needed

3.2 Settlement Centre

A , jy R ,

y, , y. H,

, ,

,27 Bj Z.28 A ,29

y z. Py y

. T -

R

y. T x ,

:

A settlement centre and public acilities -

y. R ,

y, . B ,

2,000 5,000 ,

. O .

Te development o various inclusive programmes y q

. I ,

, - .

Well-equipped space or children . S R y -

. A y . Py,

., y I

, y .

27 A Dj B.28 A O j B.

29 A R y H, S.


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o increase a settlements appeal , -R ,

. T y R -

.30

A settlement centre is an expanding structure, y y y - y. T, x -

q .

3.3 Residential Areas o Settlements

A R x, y x . T, y . I ,

, , , . T y

:

Housing based on amily planning

R y. T z y , -

, .31 T z y y

y R y f y

jy . H-

R y -

.32

A amilys home may be organized in a variety o ways, R ,

x . I

- -y, , , , .

Decreasing residential density j -

. D y

30 A B I .31 O q q .

32 F y B, S, S, Cz R, .


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y .33

A

y . T

y , y

.34

T - . T y .

Reduction o the construction index,

. T y R

y xy , . R

qy S, y

q.

Preserving yard space y x . T

R , . R x y x, , .

Housing expansion , -

y x. T x xy

. I

, z. I y

y , , x y y y

.

33 T Dj B. Oy y y y .

34 T Jj Gj N, , .


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Other models o residential construction R

q . I , y

R y ,

-R. S x z

R .

Proessional help in designing and constructing homes q -

. R

y. P x

q y x,

xz y y x.

Te house and yard can be inexpensively constructed , -

q. T -

q: 1) , .., ; 2) ; 3) ; 4) z -

. T x q y,

y. T y

q R .

3.4 Te Settlement Work Zone

R y . E

,

z. My R ; , - .

Te ormation o a common area or work-related activities within a settlement

. F

. I q

, , .

A working area or women should be located within a settle-

ment. T y R y -

R y-

. T y -

.

Forming a city arming zone y

. A

q -

. A

.35 T

, , , . T

y y . A -

35 C O j 1995.


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, x,

.36

3.5 Streets and rac Routes

S R f , y . I

y y y,

. O , y

. H, y ,

. F, y y y

. S, y

y. T, y y . Fy,

q . R :

Te existing street network should be accepted . Cy .

Reconstructing the street network and opening new streets q

. R

x . T

y. T R y -

. T

.

Streets defned as essential should be accepted. W - y, /

.

Functional and trac hierarchy o streets should be determined by a plan. T y

y , ,

y, -y , -

. I y , z

(, , , ).

A cross-section profle should be defned in such a way that it becomes possible to repair or

build the appropriate inrastructure within it. I ,

, y q

.

Horse-drawn wagons and tractors, R , y y

, .

Introducing public green areas when planning a street network is recommended. T -

x .

36 P NGO M R P, 2005.


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3.6 Construction o Inrastructure and Utility Services

T xy y, R . My

R y indis-

criminate, i.e., identical or all parts o a city. N : - - y

y . T -

y R .

I , y. R-

R :

Overhead power-supply lines y y R -

. I y -y , -

. W -

, q.

Te heating o homes. S

y y. I ,

( y ), ( x-

). W , y .

Using plastic instead o steel pipes can reduce the cost o supplying water. M -

, -


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y x. H, y y

. T -y y y

.

Sewage treatment is always a greater problem than the water-supply system. T y x . T jy R

, . S y

.

A reed-bed is an alternative solution or the treatment o wastewater. T

q . T y q y

. R- y

y . I q ,

y. T qy y

, .

Problems o rainwater drainage on public suraces, -

, . T ,

y, y x. P

.

Public standpipes and sanitary units y R

. F . T

, .

Cleaning jy R . G

y, . P -

R

y. T y z y .

W y, ,

.


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4. Ways to Resolve theHousing Issue

T R f y

y jy S. I

, y

R , y

:

Table: Direct responsibilities in different ways of resolving the housing issue

WAYS FOR A FAMILY TO SOLVE

THE HOUSING ISSUE

Hous

ingagency,or

relat

edinstitution

Depa

rtmentfor

build

ingpermit

Depa

rtmentforland

transactions

PCforconstruction,

infra

structureand

stree

ts

Craftsmen

Familyand

colle

ctivegroupas

assistance

Self-help housing with professional assistance

The family builds their own home with a permit for the

land. The family requests the assistance of workers from

an organization.

Self-help housing on a given lot

The family builds their own home, with a permit for the

land provided by an agency. Agency workers can assist

the family voluntarily.

Co-operative construction

The housing agency or another institution builds one part

of the structure, and the family completes the house.

Purchase of a low-cost apartment

Purchase of an apartment or house from the municipal

housing agency or another institution at market price.

Renting an apartment

The family rents an apartment or house from a housing

agency or other institution with adequate subsidies.

Use of a social apartment

The family is provided with an apartment for permanent

use from low-cost housing funds provided by a housing

agency or institution.

Use of emergency accommodation

The family is provided with additional space foremergency temporary accommodation by a housing

agency or other institution.


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4.1 Sel-help Housing with Proessional Assistance

R , y S, . A

L P C, S, y

z . A R . T -

y y . T y,

y, y , -

R.

4.2 Sel-help Housing on a Lot Provided Free o Charge

T R

. F y f,

y. T R y , . T y -

S . T xy

, , , . C ,

y y

y y y.

4.3 Co-operative Construction

T - q -

y . Sqy, y . T y y y ,

x y y. F y y -

y y y z , .

4.4 Purchase o a Low-Cost Apartment

T -

y , R, . T q

, -

. T y z

. A -

y x . C

, y

x . A

.

4.5 Subsidized Renting

Sz .T y x S y, y y . T

qy y. T -


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z . M

qy. I y

f y, , -

. Sz f /y

y.

4.6 Social Housing

T y - . T

y y. T

y. T R y

. T f y -y

y . A y -

y f y , .

4.7 Use o Emergency Accommodation

Ey y x y . T

y -

. R , IDP y -

. Cy, y . T -

. T

, , .

4.8 Use o Buildings Originally Designed or Other Purposes

B y , y , -

, . R y y -

. T y y: , z ,

y .


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5. The Process o SettlementDevelopment

I R j : -

; ; R .

5.1 Municipal Involvement in Settlement Construction and Development

A f

: R , ,

. R . I

, ,

q - . T

y f R. F -

, R q R

. , y / y :

Providing assets . T R

y y , ,

.

Set up a co-ordination centre --

j.

Formulate a unique strategy R . A y .

Work on promoting concepts that lead to the implementation o an ethnic and social mix

, , R .

Create community centres R -

R.

Open the budget line y .

Execute construction , , y

R .


40/42


41/42


42/42

About the OSCE/ODIHR

Te Oce or Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the OSCEs principal institution to as-

sist participating States to ensure ull respect or human rights and undamental reedoms, to abide by the ruleo law, to promote principles o democracy and () to build, strengthen and protect democratic institutions, as

well as promote tolerance throughout society ( Helsinki Document).

Te ODIHR, based in Warsaw, Poland, was created as the Oce or Free Elections at the 0 Paris Summit

and started operating in May . One year later, the name o the Oce was changed to reect an expanded

mandate to include human rights and democratization. oday, it employs more than 0 sta.

Te ODIHR is the leading agency in Europe in the feld o. It co-ordinates and organizes

the deployment o several observation missions with thousands o observers every year to assess whether elec-

tions in the OSCE area are in line with national legislation and international standards. Its unique methodology

provides an in-depth insight into all elements o an electoral process. Trough assistance projects, the ODIHR

helps participating States to improve their electoral ramework.

Te Oces activities include the ollowing thematic areas: rule o law, civil society and demo-

cratic governance, reedom o movement, gender equality, and legislative support. Te ODIHR implements

more than 00 targeted assistance programmes every year, seeking both to acilitate and enhance state compli-

ance with OSCE commitments and to develop democratic structures.

Te ODIHR promotes the protection o through technical-assistance projects and training on

human dimension issues. It conducts research and prepares reports on dierent human rights topics. In addi-

tion, the Oce organizes several meetings every year to review the implementation o OSCE human dimension

commitments by participating States. In its anti-terrorism activities, the ODIHR works to build awareness o

human dimension issues and carries out projects that address actors engendering terrorism. Te ODIHR is

also at the oreront o international eorts to prevent tracking in human beings and to ensure a co-ordinated

response that puts the rights o victims frst.

Te ODIHRs - programme provides support to participating States in

implementing their OSCE commitments and in strengthening their eorts to respond to, and combat, hate

crimes and violent maniestations o intolerance. Te programme also aims to strengthen civil societys capacity

to respond to hate-motivated crimes and incidents.

Te ODIHR provides advice to participating States on their policies on RS. It promotes capac-

ity-building and networking among Roma and Sinti communities and encourages the participation o Roma

and Sinti representatives in policy-making bodies. Te Oce also acts as a clearing house or the exchange o

inormation on Roma and Sinti issues among national and international actors.

All ODIHR activities are carried out in close co-ordination and co-operation with OSCE institutions and feld

operations, as well as with other international organizations.

Documents

Roma Housing and Settlements in South-Eastern Europe Vladimir Macura and Zlata Vuksanovic-Macura