A seven-part charter urging the government to set up a Gypsy and Traveller taskforce was launched last Thursday.

The taskforce, proposed by the Gypsy and Traveller Law Reform Coalition, would enable travelling communities to advise the government on relevant issues as well as organising round-table discussions with the police, health workers and local residents.

The charter calls for the establishment of a more effective press complaints code to prevent the media stirring up racial tension and for councils to be given a statutory duty to provide sites removed in 1994.

The coalition also launched a “Stamp Out Prejudice” coupon campaign, calling on Gypsies and Travellers to write to the party leaders Tony Blair, Michael Howard and Charles Kennedy if their children are being bullied or threatened.

Source

Housing Today