OSCE Mission to Skopje supports confidence building between police and Roma population

SKOPJE, 18 March 2010 - The OSCE-supported project to improve relations between Roma community and the police was launched today in Vinica municipality in the east of the country. 

The project will strengthen the capacity of existing Local Prevention Councils (LPC) in Roma - populated municipalities. The LPCs chaired by mayors serve as a forum for all stakeholders, including communities' representatives and the local police, to work together in the areas of mutual concern and interest. They will initially work on the social inclusion of Roma population as an element of confidence building and conflict prevention. The main focus will be on the problems of street children, potential victims of trafficking, drugs, and begging.

"The thematic Local Prevention Council meetings will bring the police and members of the Roma community together to identify specific needs at local level and help solve the existing problems," said Ambassador Natalya Drozd, the Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

Spiro Ristovski, the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy added: "I believe the problems of the local society identified during the meeting will become an important part of the municipal priorities work on the matters related to the safety of the Roma community, with a special attention paid to Roma children on the street."

The project will be implemented in 17 municipalities: Vinica, Kochani, Shuto Orizari, Cair, Karpos, Ilinden, Delcevo, Stip, Pehcevo, Bitola, Prilep, Veles, Kavadarci, Negotino, Kicevo, Kumanovo and Kriva Palanka. It is supported by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje and implemented in co-operation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the Interior Ministry.