ROMA CAMPAIGN FOR ELECTION EDUCATION “Dzan”

PLAY FAIR FOR FAIR ELECTIONS

The National Roma Centrum held a press conference today in the NGO Info center in Skopje, on which the pre election campaign was presented, called DZAN (in translation GO). The campaign has for a goal to educate and to motivate the Roma to come out and vote on the 5th of July 2006. The election process is an important moment where freedom of expression SHOULD BE respected, and promotion of mutual understanding, tolerance and raising awareness that the Roma need to be equal participants SHOULD BE A FACT, was pointed out by the coordinator of the campaign Asmet Elezovski. About the participation of the women in the election process, for the role of the members as educators of the Roma women as equal participants and voters and for theparticipation of members from the Roma women Association – Esma as observers during the elections, stated the President of this association Kevsera Memedova. Elezovski called upon all of the citizens for active participation on the parliamentary elections pointing out the need for mutual consideration of the importance of the election process, and he also pointed out that this process should not be seen as an event. The purpose of the campaign is to promote tolerance and fair elections via performing visits through the Romany settlements and organizing of football matches as part of our campaign. The football matches should promote fair and responsible participation in the election

process. Within the frames of the campaign NRC is visiting the cities where the most Roma are living. The field educators are visiting the Romany families in their homes and with the propaganda material and direct communication are pointing out to the meaning of their vote and right. With active participation of the Romany citizens as voters during the elections, they will acquire the right for active participation and space for urging of the government for solving of their problems. So far one football match was played in Suto Orizari, and we also visited Topaana, Berovo, Pehcevo, Crnik, Delcevo and Treboviste. The football matches will be organized in Vinica, Stip, Skopje, Kumanovo and Prilep, and the education electoral materials for raising of awareness of the Romany voters will be distributed in Kumanovo, Tetovo, Gostivar, Bitola, Prilep, Resen, Kicevo, Ohrid, Strumica, Gevgelija, Valandovo, Negotino, Gradsko, Kavadarci, Veles, Radovis, Kocani, Vinica, Stip, Probistip, Kratovo, Kr. Palanka and Sv. Nikole. For more detailed contacts, Asmet Elezovski, project manager, +389 70 258 595 Slavica Curcinska, assistant, + 389 75 844 822 Contact telephone: + 389 31 427 558, E-mail:contact [at] nationalromacentrum [dot] org Address: Done Bozinov 11/5, 1 300 Kumanovo