#Netherlands #The Hague #Roma Embassy #Roma Culture

The Official Establishment of the Roma Embassy in The Hague

On January 21, 2026, the Roma Embassy, representing the United Roma Tribes, was officially established in The Hague through a notarized deed. This groundbreaking initiative aims to foster diplomatic relations and promote cultural, social, economic, and humanitarian cooperation under existing legal frameworks.

The embassy serves as a significant platform for cooperation among the Roma community, four months after the historic Haarlem Proclamation, which marked another pivotal step towards the establishment of a non-territorial sovereign state for the Roma. During the first official gathering, the Hague Proclamation was signed, underscoring the mission and vision of the newly formed embassy.

Orhan Galjus, one of the founders, noted, "This is a symbolic state that operates within the legal frameworks of the countries we inhabit." The embassy does not pursue political or territorial claims; instead, it aims to facilitate dialogue, focusing on education, culture, heritage preservation, and accurate representation, as outlined in the Hague Proclamation.

A New Generation Leadership
Esmeralda Hrustic, a young Romani woman and notary in training, was elected president by the Roma community. She expressed her pride in representing a new generation of Roma, emphasizing the importance of showcasing that women and youth are willing to take on leadership roles. "With this embassy, we are taking a step that has never been taken before, and I am proud to contribute to it," she stated.

From The Hague, initiatives will be developed to connect and cultivate cooperation across different countries, ensuring that the Netherlands serves as a stable base for this international collaboration. Galjus added, "The fact that this is possible here speaks volumes about the Netherlands; we feel supported in our development."

Community Support and Future Plans
The positive environment surrounding the embassy's establishment was further confirmed by Galjus, who noted participation from Dutch entrepreneurs and supporters confident in the Roma advocacy initiative. This moment represents a historic entry into international relations for the Roma people.

External partners, like Adriaan Kamphorst from Royal Joh. Enschedé, emphasized the critical need for a visible and official point of contact for governments regarding the Roma. "We sincerely hope this initiative succeeds for all Roma tribes and that they gain the recognition they rightfully deserve," he stated.

Moving forward, the focus will be on establishing diplomatic relationships for the Roma Embassy, strengthening partnerships within the Roma ecosystem, and carefully developing both a digital and physical Roma identity token. This token will allow Roma individuals to assertively and administratively affirm their cultural ties and heritage. An initial contextual proof-of-concept will particularly address the needs of stateless individuals and those requiring proper documentation in the nations where the Roma live as a diaspora.

Conclusion
The establishment of the Roma Embassy in The Hague marks a significant milestone in the quest for formal recognition, advocacy, and positive representation of Roma culture. This new diplomatic effort aims not only to unite the Roma community but also to enhance their standing in global society, paving the way for a meaningful dialogue and collaboration with various governments and organizations worldwide.