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The Roma Workshop Organized In Kuşadası 10/01/2011

The workshop named "Workshop of Roma Platform of Turkey" was organized with participation of Roma associations in Kuşadası at January 7-8-9, 2011. There were associations mostly from Aegean and Marmara regions of Turkey in the workshop. The Mayor of Aydın Özlem Çerçioğlu, the mayor of Kuşadası M. Esat Altungün, the president of the opposition party ( Republican People's Party) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and vice presidents of the opposition party Gürsel Tekin, Alaattin Yüksel, Umut Oran and Hurşit Güneş also participated the activity which organized with support of Kuşadası Municipality.

The president of Federation of Aydın United Roma Associations Cemal Erkasap said that they started Roma workshop with participation of the governor party ( Justice and Development Party ) and with the new workshop they sustain this activity with participation of the opposition party. Erkasap also emphasized that they plan to organize new workshops with other political parties. Erkasap evaluated the meeting with those words: "We discuss appreciation of the situation here with association from various regions of Turkey. What we do until now and what will do in future? 124 associations participate the workshop. The first message we get here to publicity is that we are not a political party or supporters of any political party as Roma associations. We are non-govermental organizations. We are not members of any political party."

The President of Gypsy Culture Research, İmprovement and Solidarity Association Mustafa Taşçeviren, who participates to the workshop for Thracian Roma Association Union, points at problems arising from unemployment with those words "All of our problems could be solved naturally if we are employed. Employment could solve Roma problems about many different topics like housing or culture." Taşçeviren also emphasized that they want to treat equally to all political parties.

The president of Kocaeli Roma Association Demir Duygun said that they hope local authorities consider Roma associations to determine their Roma policy. He evaluates the activity with those words: "If we don't play our instruments, those singers can not sing their songs. We know our selves. Media have to focus on real problems. I am a first class citizen. I am Demir, the Çingene with a great honor."

Member of Supreme Board of Federation of Roma Associations Ahmet İzgi asks Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the president of the opposition party, to apologize Roma for the discriminative law which classify Gypsy with spy and anarchist legislated by his party at 1934 in one-party rule period.

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu speaks to the question of Ahmet İzgi in his speech with those words: "I don't know why the law legislated at that time. However first request for change proposal about the law was given by Enis Tütüncü, a parlimentarian from our party." Kılıçdaroğlu emphasized that the biggest problem of Roma community is housing. He evaluates the issue with those word "You have to create alternate housing models for you which give you a chance to live together under modern circumstances." Kılıçdaroğlu also offers Roma representative to unite their associtions and added: "If you are divided among yourselves you will be governed by others. You have to unite. This is the only way for you to influence politicians."

The president of Milas Drum Players and Roma Culture Association Dursun Girgin shared his perspective about the activity with us. Girgin emphasized that the workshop is not agenda of any political party. Girgin said that the main aim of the activity is to organize a supreme board for Roma organizations. The only way to be effective for Roma and all Gypsy groups is to work in a regular coordination according to Dursun Girgin.

Roma associations organized a supreme board from elected representative of Roma associations in the workshop. There would also be a surveillance committe to check the supreme board. Member of the supreme board decided to gather again as soon as possible to determine a policy for Roma organizations about various topics.

Source: Doğan News Agency / Çingeneyiz Aydın