Legal advocacy as a tool to advance Roma Health

Roma in central Europe face many violations of their rights, including
those that impede their access to high-quality health care. Legal frameworks have
the potential to address these violations, whereas legal advocacy services offer a
means for enforcement of rights. We undertook key informant interviews with
Roma civil society organisations and selected knowledgeable individuals in
Macedonia, Romania and Serbia to identify lessons from the development of these
services. Achievements were reported in four areas. Legal empowerment, with
employment of Roma paralegals was especially effective, increasing awareness of the
ability to challenge violations. Documentation of human rights violations is an
important basis for advocacy, but does not guarantee redress, and may work best in
combination with legal empowerment or international pressure. Strategic litigation
can play a key role in removing bureaucratic obstacles that prevent Roma from
exercising their right to access to health care. Progress in changing the narrative on
Roma in the mainstream media has been limited but examples of good practice exist.
Although much remains to be done, Roma groups report that legal advocacy has
strengthened their ability to challenge rights violations, thereby enhancing their
ability to access effective and responsive care.