When a Roma speaks at UN, the world listens: Interview with Roma academic-activist Simona Torotcoi

When a Roma speaks at UN, the world listens: Interview with Roma academic-activist Simona Torotcoi

In July 2024, Simona Torotcoi addressed the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, a subdivision of both the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Economic and Social Council, responsible for the entire organisation’s policy on sustainable development. Simona, a Roma from Romania and currently working with the ERGO Network, is a part of…

GFoD submission to the OHCHR call for inputs on universal birth registration, use of digital technology

GFoD submission to the OHCHR call for inputs on universal birth registration, use of digital technology

This submission has been coordinated by Simona Torotcoi, GFoD, Coordinator for Europe, with inputs from the following GFoD rights experts: Marina Csikós, and Fikrija Tair Selmani. Discrimination based on Work and Descent (DWD) affects more than 270 million people worldwide. Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD) can be found on all continents: Dalit communities…

Proposed Amendments to UN Pact for the Future: Rev 2 Virtual Consultation on the Summit of the Future with the Co-Facilitators on 31 July 2024

Proposed Amendments to UN Pact for the Future: Rev 2 Virtual Consultation on the Summit of the Future with the Co-Facilitators on 31 July 2024

The Stakeholder Group of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent comprises representatives of various communities including Haratins, Soninke and others in Africa, Quilombola and Palenques in Latin America, Roma in Europe, and Burakumin and Dalits in Asia, numbering more than 270 million people globally. This discrimination based on work and descent involves exclusion and segregation…

Towards an Informal Working Group on the the Rights of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent

Towards an Informal Working Group on the the Rights of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent

Statement by the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (GFoD) HLPF 2024, United Nations, New York Speaking at the HLPF 2024 side event titled “Good Practices and Challenges in the 2030 Agenda – Showcasing ongoing inclusive strategies of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent,” Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives from Canada, Spain, Colombia,…

Queen Bisseng calls for ‘global commitment to end discrimination’ at HLPF

Queen Bisseng calls for ‘global commitment to end discrimination’ at HLPF

In a compelling address at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), Queen Bisseng, representing the Stakeholder Group of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD), highlighted the urgent need for global attention to systemic discrimination based on work and descent. Queen Bisseng opened her speech by emphasising the pervasive nature of this form of discrimination, which…