The international community marks the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act — a document that laid the foundation for the protection of human rights, democracy, and non-discrimination in Europe.

Half a century later, it remains relevant, especially for Ukraine, whose citizens have been living under war conditions for more than 11 years — almost four of them during the full-scale invasion.

The topic of human rights continues to be at the center of international discussions. In October, Warsaw hosted the OSCE Human Dimension Conference, which focused on human rights as an integral part of security, as well as on humanitarian issues and the rule of law. The President of Voice of Romni, Anzhelika Bielova, was also invited to speak at the event. 

She took part in the session dedicated to tolerance and non-discrimination in the context of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, including Roma and Sinti. Anzhelika drew attention to the key challenges faced by Roma communities in Ukraine during the war:

“A study conducted by Voice of Romni shows that the most urgent need for Roma is access to employment and fair wages. The main causes of this situation are low levels of education and qualifications. In wartime, access to quality education has become even more limited. Approximately 60% of Roma families lack the technical means necessary for distance or blended learning, which excludes them from the educational process. Security issues caused by ongoing shelling, as well as access to humanitarian assistance, remain critical for the most vulnerable populations.”

In the context of overall funding cuts and humanitarian fatigue, the most vulnerable groups in Ukraine are on the verge of survival. Despite the difficult circumstances and lack of resources, Voice of Romni continues to support Roma families in different regions by creating multi-component projects aimed at providing comprehensive assistance — from humanitarian and financial aid to training, retraining, employment, children’s education, and repairing homes damaged by russian shelling.

“Over the past three years, our organization has provided various forms of support to more than 106,000 people. However, these efforts are still not enough to ensure a decent life for the most vulnerable populations. We need long-term systemic solutions and active cooperation with state authorities and other stakeholders within the framework of the National Roma Strategy until 2030,” said Anzhelika Bielova, President of Voice of Romni.

The Roma Strategy defines the priorities of state policy regarding the integration of Roma, including improving access to education, employment, healthcare, and social services. Anzhelika spoke about the systematic work of Voice of Romni on its implementation: organizing the first National Forum in Kyiv, where a resolution with recommendations for all stakeholders was adopted and a National Coordination Platform was created; developing recommendations for the National Plan of the Roma Strategy for 2026–2028; and preparing regional dialogues involving Roma leaders, government representatives, and donors across seven regions of Ukraine with the support of the UN and CARE Ukraine.

“I am sincerely grateful for the support from government bodies and international organizations in this process. Ensuring the rights of national minorities, including Roma, is vital for Ukraine’s European future, which upholds the values of democracy, diversity, and non-discrimination. Moving forward, we must continue strengthening our cooperation and engaging all stakeholders. I call on the OSCE to actively support these efforts, as their participation is crucial in fostering an inclusive environment that protects the rights and dignity of all communities in Ukraine,” added Anzhelika Bielova.

The invitation of Voice of Romni to the OSCE Human Dimension Conference demonstrates that the voices of Roma women and the community as a whole are being heard. It is a significant recognition from the international community, bringing hope that the world will continue to support us and that the protection of Roma rights will remain in the focus of international partners.