The human rights situation of Roma worldwide, with a particular focus on the phenomenon of anti-Gypsyism 2015, para. 12
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While the Special Rapporteur is aware that the reasons for the marginalization of Roma are complex, she insists that an overarching factor is the deeply embedded social and structural discrimination Roma face worldwide, including anti-Gypsyism. Anti-Gypsyism has been defined by the Council of Europe as "a specific form of racism, an ideology founded on racial superiority, a form of dehumanisation and institutional racism nurtured by historical discrimination, which is expressed, among others, by violence, hate speech, exploitation, stigmatisation and the most blatant kind of discrimination". Anti-Gypsyism therefore includes strong anti-Roma prejudices and stereotypes, including those that lead to labelling Roma communities as criminal, aggressive, or as "parasites" on welfare systems. The Special Rapporteur welcomes recent European Union recognition that anti-Gypsyism constitutes a major obstacle to overcoming Roma disadvantage and marginalization.