Roma and Sinti participation in electoral processes: Handbook launch
Meeting
- Date:
- Location:
- Meeting Room 1, Belweder, Sofitel Victoria, Królewska 11, Warsaw, Poland
- Organized by:
- OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
- Source:
- OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
- Fields of work:
- Elections, Roma and Sinti, Tolerance and non-discrimination
About the event
As part of the 2026 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, ODIHR will launch its new Handbook on Observing and Promoting the Participation of Roma and Sinti in Electoral Processes.
Roma and Sinti continue to face barriers to equal and meaningful participation in elections as voters, candidates and elected representatives. These include discrimination, anti-Roma rhetoric, intimidation and difficulties obtaining the documents needed to register and vote. Roma and Sinti women and young people can face additional barriers.
Developed jointly by ODIHR’s Election Department and Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues, the handbook offers practical guidance on identifying and addressing these obstacles throughout the electoral cycle. It draws on ODIHR’s election observation methodology, consultations with experts and experiences from across the OSCE region.
The side event will present the handbook and explore how election observers, public authorities and civil society can use it in their work. Participants will discuss practical ways to strengthen participation through election observation, civil society monitoring, voter education, advocacy and follow-up to electoral recommendations.
Speakers
Opening remarks
Tea Jaliashvili, First Deputy Director, ODIHR
Presentations and discussion
- Stefan Szwed, Marie Curie Global Fellow, Columbia University and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
- Keara Castaldo, Senior Elections Adviser, Election Department, ODIHR
- Cristi Mihalache, Human Rights and Development Expert
- Lucie Fuková, Former Czech Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs
Moderator
Jashar Jasharov, Associate Programme Officer, Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues, ODIHR
Participation and contact
The side event is open to registered participants of the 2026 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.
The working language is English.
For questions about this side event, please write to Jashar Jasharov, ODIHR Associate Programme Officer, Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues, at jashar.jasharov@odihr.pl.
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