Coordination and joint efforts to advance equality and human rights of Roma on both banks of Dniester/Nistru River

One of the project’s components is to provide expert and technical support to the Agency for Interethnic Relations in regard to the activities of the Roma Operational Working Group.

The Roma Operational Working Group was established based on the Roma Task Force, formed in 2022 to support Roma refugees within the framework of the refugee response coordination mechanism. At the end of 2025, the Task Force was transformed into the Roma Operational Working Group and placed under the coordination of the Agency for Interethnic Relations.

The first meeting of the Roma Operational Working Group took place on 12 February 2026. During the second meeting, on 26 February, the members of the group elected Ion Duminică as chairperson for the following six months

Mr. Ion, why is the establishment of the Roma Operational Working Group an important initiative for the Roma community, and how does it differ from the previously established Roma Task Force?

The Roma Task Force was established in 2022 in response to the refugee crisis of refugees from Ukraine in Moldova. It focused on Roma refugees on the right bank of Dniester/Nistru River and largely did not address the issues faced by local Roma communities. The recently established Roma Operational Working Group has a broader mandate-its purpose is the ongoing coordination and development of collaboration among Roma and pro-Roma civil society organizations, public authorities, and international partners. This group will carry out its activities in the interests of both local Roma and Roma refugees on both banks of Dniester/Nistru River, including those who have returned after temporary migration and face challenges reintegrating into society.

I am convinced that the Roma Operational Working Group will become a real platform for ensuring the right of Roma to meaningful and effective participation in decision-making processes that directly concern them.
 

How is the work of the Roma Operational Working Group organized in practice, and what makes its format unique?

To date, three meetings of the Roma Operational Working Group have already been held, and we are seeing positive developments and growing interest from various organizations. Representatives of Roma and pro-Roma organizations have elected a chairperson through voting, participated in setting the meeting agendas, openly shared their opinions and proposals, engaged in discussions, and jointly sought solutions. At each meeting, more organizations from different regions, including the left bank of Dniester/Nistru River, are joining the group. All sessions are accompanied by simultaneous interpretation into Romanian and Russian, ensuring that language does not become a barrier to participation. 

A distinctive feature of this group is the rapid and responsive nature of its work. Unlike, for example, the newly established Interministerial Working Group at the Ministry of Education and Research for the development and implementation of the new Roma Support Programme (2027–2030), which meets three to four times a year, the Roma Operational Working Group plans to hold meetings one to two times per month. This allows all participants to respond more quickly to emerging challenges and to address pressing issues faced by the Roma community.

Given that you have been elected chair for a six-month term, what priorities and goals have you set for yourself during this period?

First and foremost, I will make every effort to strengthen coordination and dialogue among all participants of the Roma Operational Working Group, as well as to ensure more effective engagement and active participation of representatives from public authorities. For example, I welcome the fact that the Ministry of Education and Research has joined the Group. I will strive to ensure that each group member understands their role and responsibilities, takes ownership of different aspects of the work, so that we move beyond discussions and our activities deliver concrete results for the Roma community.

I also plan to involve Roma community mediators in the activities of the Roma Operational Working Group. According to the rules of this mechanism, only legal entities (organizations)-can be members. Mediators operate as individuals, yet their role in working with the Roma community is highly significant. I believe that their experience and knowledge should be leveraged in the work of the Group. I have set myself the task of discussing this matter with the members so that we can find a joint solution regarding the status of Roma community mediators and their effective participation in the group’s activities.

At the meeting on 6 March, a decision was made to start work on a 12-month action plan for the Roma Operational Working Group. Organizing the work on this plan is also one of my priorities.

Veaceslav Reabcinschi, Director General of the Agency for Interethnic Relations

“The launch of the Roma Operational Working Group platform is an important step in strengthening dialogue, cooperation, and the participation of the Roma community in the social and public life of the Republic of Moldova. This platform serves as a tool for collaboration among public authorities, civil society organizations, representatives of the Roma community, and international institutions. Through its activities, it will contribute to the unification of efforts and the promotion of more effective policies for the social inclusion and development of the Roma community. In the context of the Republic of Moldova’s European integration process, strengthening the participation of the Roma community in decision-making and developing dialogue mechanisms is a key priority. This platform can become an active space for cooperation, where participants’ ideas, experiences, and initiatives contribute to the development of sustainable solutions for the Roma community and society as a whole”

The Roma Operational Working Group receives expert and technical support from UN Human Rights Moldova under the project “Strengthening the rights of minorities in the Republic of Moldova” (Phase II), funded by the European Union.

Press release in Russian here 

Пресс-релиз на русском языке здесь