Prevent the extradition from the UK of
Roma human
rights activist Toma Nikolaev, facing jail in Bulgaria
FROM EVERYONE GROUP
Appeal
to:
- the Westminster
Magistrates' Court
- Queen Elizabeth
II
- the Government
and Parliament of the United Kingdom
- the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres
- the UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay
- the European
Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muiznieks
- the President
of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz
- all civil
society
Rome / London,
May 8, 2012.
European civilization is in crisis. Xenophobia, racism and
intolerance are spreading across all social sectors, resulting in the
marginalization of many groups. The Roma are both one of the most numerous and
the most seriously effected by this phenomenon. Their conditions of poverty and
vulnerability render them easy scapegoats, as happened in the darkest periods of
the 20th Century.
So we are seeing evictions,
expulsions and outright attacks everywhere, even in countries that like to
consider themselves "advanced". In some countries, such as Italy, the
authorities have resorted to persecuting human rights defenders, subjecting
them to criminal prosecution, abuse and intimidation.
Toma Nikolaev is a well-respected
Roma rights activist and former candidate MP. Persecuted in Bulgaria due to his
criticism of the apartheid that excludes most of Bulgaria's 700,000 Roma, he was directing editor of the bilingual
newspaper DeFacto until its closure.
Fearing for his life after a bomb was
placed near his home, Mr. Nikolaev sought asylum in the UK. A long,
uncompleted process followed during which Nikolaev continued
to help fellow Roma. He joined the campaign to save the
Dale Farm community, which was broken up by the riot police
assault on the estate on 19 October 2011.
On April 8, 2012 Toma Nikolaev
attended a sit-in front of the Bulgarian Embassy in London to mark Roma Nation
Day. Shortly after he was arrested under a European warrant and he spent three
days in custody before being released on bail. He is scheduled to appear at
Westminster Magistrates’ Court at 9:30am on 22nd May.
This is the first time a prominent Roma political activist has
been brought before this court, which is reserved for extradition and terrorism cases.
Mr. Nikolaev
faces extradition back to Bulgaria, where he would have to
continue a prison sentence imposed for his criticism of the
government .
The Roma in Bulgaria make up 8% of
the population, live mostly in segregated neighbourhoods and are suffering 70%
unemployment. In this condition of social exclusion, Roma activists are subject
to judicial and police persecution, as well as violence from nationalist and
racist movements, in particular the Atak Party. That is why we believe
it is unsafe for Mr Nikoleav, his wife and
children, to return to Bulgaria and appeal to the Westminster
Magistrates' Court to dismiss the extradition proceedings brought by the
Bulgarian state and allow Toma Nikolaev to remain in the
UK, where he wishes to apply for political asylum.
Our appeal is also addressed to Queen
Elizabeth II, and the Government and Parliament of the United Kingdom. We are
asking them to intervene in the case of Toma Nikolaev, thus offering the
European Union and the world an example of civility and respect for human
rights. We also urge the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio
Guterres; the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay; the
European Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muiznieks; the President of the
European Parliament, Martin Schulz, and all civil society not to remain
indifferent to a paradigmatic case of the current conditions of the Roma people
and those who defend their rights. We hope there will be a just and
humanitarian verdict in the case of Toma Nikolaev, and extend to all recipients
of this appeal our best regards.
For International Romani Union,
Grattan PuxonFor EveryOne Group, the Co-Presidents Roberto Malini, Matteo Pegoraro, Dario Picciau
For Nazione Rom, the President
Marcello Zuinisi
For Watching The Sky Association, the President Alfred
Breitman
For Dale Farm Residents Association, chairman Richard
Sheridan
2 comments:
We should have a sit-in in front of the TLC network! It was heart-breaking to read that we cannot even stand up for the rights of our people without persecution.
Yes , how right you are.
Unfortunately, we are scattered around the world and in the United States.
How can we arrange this.
Morgan
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