Hindus have applauded the Slovenian government’s announcement to appoint a commission for collaboration with Roma communities, calling it “a step in the right direction.”
Rajan Zed, acclaimed Hindu and Indo-American statesman, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was the moral obligation of Slovenia to take care of its most disadvantaged Roma population and stop human rights violations reportedly suffered by them.
Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, hoped that maybe this new Commission, to be chaired by Education and Sport Minister Igor Luksic, would show strong political will to bring the Roma people to par with the rest of the population. This would provide them with better health and education avenues, higher economic opportunities, sources of empowerment and participation, etc.
Zed said the available Roma workforce, if utilized effectively, could bring unexpected economic gains to Slovenia.
Rajan Zed suggests that Slovakia might need help to improve the plight of the Roma people. A comprehensive, sustainable, cohesive and integrated Europe-wide policy with strategic focus is needed to target discrimination against Roma and their integration; providing them equal access to education, employment, public services, housing, and health care; empowerment through participation; increased transparency of authorities; improving their material and human rights situation.
Zed says that all world religions, denominations and religious leaders should also come out in support of the cause of this distinct ethnic and cultural group of Roma, because religion teaches us to help the helpless.
