RESOLUTION – IHRA Working Definition of Antigypsyism

Version of the motion re-adopted at the 2025 General Assembly:

Preamble:

European values – respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality, and the rule of law – are threatened by antigypsyism and ongoing prejudice and discrimination faced by Roma remain a key challenge for achieving equality in Europe.

Antigypsyism is the root cause of the exclusion of the Roma people. It is a specific form of racism against Roma, Sinti, Travellers, and others stigmatised as ‘gypsies’. Currently, in European societies, antigypsyism is supported by high levels of social acceptance and a lack of recognition and understanding of its existence and its manifestations. In order to better fight antigypsyism, it is essential:

1. To understand that antigypsyism is not a ‘minority issue’. In order to combat antigypsyism, our attention needs to shift from ‘the Roma’ to the ideology and behaviour of mainstream societies.
2. To empower those dramatically affected by antigypsyism; Roma leadership, participation, and empowerment are crucial in order to overcome the long-lasting effects of antigypsyism.
3. To understand that ‘Roma inclusion’ will remain illusory as long as we do not confront antigypsyism as the root cause of exclusion.

EUJS believes that:

1. That antigypsyism is the specific form of racism towards Roma, Sinti, Travellers, and others who are stigmatised as ‘Gypsies’ in the public imagination that is under no circumstances acceptable.
2. That fighting against antigypsyism, similarly to other forms of racism and discrimination such as anti-Black racism, islamophobia, and homophobia, is at the core principles and values of the European Union of Jewish Students and its membership.
3. The adoption of the EU Roma Strategic Framework on Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020-2030 by the European Commission is a key guideline for Roma inclusion.
4. The legally non-binding working definition of antigypsyism adopted by all 34 States of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), including all the examples included therein 9 is an important tool.
5. That discrimination should be defined in order to be able to fight against it.

EUJS resolves to:

1. Affirm its commitment to tackling antigypsyism in all its forms.
2. Adopt and apply the IHRA Working Definition of antigypsyism, including all the examples included therein.
3. Encourage Member Organisations, NGOs, political groups, governments and others to adopt and apply the IHRA working definition of antigypsyism with its examples.
4. Take appropriate disciplinary action when instances of antigypsyist speech or action occur among its leadership, Secretariat, volunteers and Member Organisations.
5. Provide opportunities for educational training and awareness-raising on antigypsyism.
6. Publicly denounce actions that are antigypsyist based on the aforementioned definition.

Resources

1. More information on antigypsyism is available at https://www.antigypsyism.eu
2. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1813
3. IHRA Working definition of antigypsyism, available at: https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definitions-charters/workingdefinition-antigypsyism-anti-roma-discrimination

Original version of the motion adopted at the 2020 General Assembly:

‍Preamble:

European values – respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality, and the rule of law – are threatened by antigypsyism and ongoing prejudice and discrimination faced by Roma remains a key challenge for achieving equality in Europe.

Antigypsyism is the root cause of the exclusion of the Roma people. It is a specific form of racism against Roma, Sinti, Travellers, and others stigmatised as ‘gypsies’. Currently, in European societies, antigypsyism is supported by high levels of social acceptance and a
lack of recognition and understanding of its existence and its manifestations. In order to better fight antigypsyism, it is essential:

1. To understand that antigypsyism is not a ‘minority issue’. In order to combat antigypsyism, our attention needs to shift from ‘the Roma’ to the ideology and behaviour of mainstream societies.
2. To empower those dramatically affected by antigypsyism; Roma leadership, participation, and empowerment are crucial in order to overcome the long-lasting effects of antigypsyism.
3. To understand that ‘Roma inclusion’ will remain illusory as long as we do not confront antigypsyism as the root cause of exclusion.

EUJS believes:

1. That antigypsyism is the specific form of racism towards Roma, Sinti, Travellers, and others who are stigmatised as ‘Gypsies’ in the public imagination that is under no circumstances acceptable.
2. That fighting against antigypsyism, similarly to other forms of racism and discrimination such as anti-Black racism, islamophobia, and homophobia, is at the core principles and values of the European Union of Jewish Students and its membership.
3. The adoption of the EU Roma Strategic Framework on Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020-2030 by the European Commission is a key guideline for Roma inclusion.
4. The legally non-binding working definition of antigypsyism adopted by all the 34 States of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), including all the examples included therein 9 is an important tool.
5. That discrimination should be defined in order to be able to fight against it.

EUJS resolves:

1. Affirm its commitment to tackling antigypsyism in all its forms.
2. Adopt and apply the IHRA Working Definition of Antigypsyism, including all the examples included therein.
3. Encourage Member Organisations, NGOs, political groups, governments and others to adopt and apply the IHRA working definition of antigypsyism with its examples.
4. Take appropriate disciplinary action when instances of antigypsyist speech or action occur among its leadership, Secretariat, volunteers and Member Organisations.
5. Provide opportunities for educational training and awareness-raising on antigypsyism.
6. Publicly denounce actions that are antigypsyist based on the aforementioned definition.

Resources

1. More information on antigypsyism available at https://www.antigypsyism.eu
2. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1813
3. IHRA Working definition of Antigypsyism, available at: https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definitions-charters/workingdefinition-antigypsyism-anti-roma-discrimination