On behalf of ternype and the Finnish Roma Association, I would like to congratulate the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma on its anniversary. It is an honour for me to speak on this occasion and I would like to draw your attention to the importance that the work of the Central Council has had for Roma and Sinti youth in Europe.

While I cannot personally speak about the work of the Central Council in Germany, I can say that the civil rights movement had a tremendous impact on Roma youth in Europe and serves as an example for us activists today. For the broader field of Roma youth organizations in Europe, the Central Council serves as an example of how to continue working in a difficult environment, and as a hopeful sign that long-term change is possible.

The international youth network ternYpe works closely with the Central Council to commemorate the European Holocaust Memorial Day for Sinti and Roma at the former Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination and concentration camp. This cooperation has existed for almost ten years and I am optimistic that it will strengthen in the future. This central commemoration event is also a key event for Roma young people throughout Europe to remember the Holocaust against the Roma and Sinti. Many youth organizations use the commemoration created by the Central Council as a model for their own.

It is up to each generation anew to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive, and we are grateful for the work of the Central Council, which has made our work to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust against Roma and Sinti possible. Their persistent work supports us in the fight against antigypsyism and hate speech in Europe and for the equal participation of Roma youth in our societies.

In the everyday political work, the long lines sometimes get lost, but it is necessary to remind ourselves and all European societies of the persistent and successful decades of work of countless civil rights activists of the Central Council, old and young.

In this spirit, I wish Romani Rose and the Central Council strength and perseverance to continue their struggle in the future.

Thank you.