Angelina Jolie to look into Roma apartheid
Posted on August 28, 2010
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Hindus have applauded Hollywood star Angelina Jolie’s work with Bosnia and Herzegovina displaced as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency, which include members of Roma community. Jolie reportedly visited Bosnia and Herzegovina on August 21, meeting the country’s Presidency and discussing plight of displaced people among other issues, during this one-day trip. In this private visit in support of her work in the region, she urged steps to translate the strategy into action and added that she looked forward to returning to the region over the coming months to continue her work.
Seeing her interest in displaced people, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged Jolie to undertake the cause of apartheid of 15-million Roma people of Europe. She reportedly visited Roma population in Bosnia in April last. Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that Jolie, one of the world’s most powerful celebrities, would be very effective in focusing global public opinion on Roma apartheid. She had promoted humanitarian causes world over and Roma would be the next worthwhile cause for her to undertake. Many Hollywood and other entertainment bigwigs had successfully worked against South Africa’s apartheid in the past. If Jolie wanted his services in regard to Roma cause, he was willing to support her, Zed added.
Alarming condition of Roma people was a social blight for Europe and the rest of the world as they reportedly regularly faced social exclusion, racism, substandard education, hostility, joblessness, rampant illness, inadequate housing, lower life expectancy, unrest, living on desperate margins, language barriers, stereotypes, mistrust, rights violations, discrimination, marginalization, appalling living conditions, prejudice, human rights abuse, racist slogans on Internet, etc., Rajan Zed pointed out. Zed further said that he was hopeful that Jolie would not stay apathetic and silent spectator when fellow Roma brothers/sisters were reportedly facing blatant injustice and discrimination in Europe. Ultra famous-talented-rich-beautiful 35-year old Oscar winner Angelina Jolie (Changeling) is known for her refugee projects, conservation work and philanthropy. She has received Citizen of the World Award, Global Humanitarian Award, Freedom Award, etc.
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