President receives European Civil Rights Prize of Sinti and Roma

President Andrej Kiska was presented with the European Civil Rights Prize of the Sinti and Roma in Brussels on Tuesday for his involvement in the struggle against expressions of racism and discrimination and against Roma segregation. The ceremony was opened by European Parliament Vice-president Rainer Wieland. In their speeches, the House of European History director Constanze Itzel and the European Commissioner for Justice, Consumer Protection and Gender Equality Vera Jourova pointed to the persisting discrimination against Sinti and Roma. "First of all, each child must have a chance," stated Kiska after receiving the prize. In his speech he stressed the importance of education for Roma citizens in order to increase their chances of employment and to improve their living conditions. Kiska handed over a cheque for €15,000 that he received along with the prize to an NGO called 'Way Out' (Cesta von). The Central Council of German Sinti and Roma has been awarding the prize since 2008 to individuals and institutions that act to protect the civil rights of Sinti and Roma.