The project aims to further address human rights violations against Roma minority in Slovakia through public interest litigation. It enables us to carry on litigation of cases of discrimination and police abuses against Roma already pending in domestic courts as well as international judicial institutions (European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, UN Treaty monitoring bodies).

The court decisions being achieved are subsequently followed by advocacy work towards the relevant state authorities so that they acknowledge their positive obligation to prevent human rights violations of Roma and secure equality and dignity for them in the Slovak society by adopting necessary policies and measures. The addressed issues include discrimination of Roma in access to employment, services and health care, discrimination of Roma children in education and ongoing police brutality. 

Within the project we also further develop our cooperation with a group of Roma women activists and support their own initiatives on the protection of human rights of Roma minority in Slovakia. We also deepen our cooperation with Roma, who have defended or still defend themselves against discrimination or other human rights violations with our support. We believe that their efforts can increasingly inspire other Roma in Slovakia to actively pursue their rights.     

The project is implemented in the period from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2022 with the financial support of Open Society Foundations.