President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova sent a congratulation message to the members of the Roma community on the occasion of International Roma Day – April 8.
Respected fellow Roma citizens,
Congratulations on April 8, International Roma Day.
I sincerely wish you to celebrate this day in good health, joy and happiness.
You, the Roma, are historically and culturally an inseparable part of the Macedonian state and society. Freedom, pride and togetherness are special values of the Roma identity and deserve due respect.
Our common Macedonian state, formally and legally, is a leader in guaranteeing minority rights, within regional and European frameworks. However, real Roma life is far from legal guarantees.
April 8 is the right day to measure and re-examine the quality of life of our fellow Roma citizens, in all areas and at all levels.
It must become clear to us at some point that it is not enough to invoke Suto Orizari, but to ensure a decent life for the Roma, wherever they are.
It is high time we realized that the Roma community is the most vulnerable and marginalized category of citizens, and as such, deserves the greatest social attention and protection.
Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova
