On September 15, mayors from the municipalities of Thermi and Thermaikos met with Michael O’Flaherty, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, to discuss the living conditions of Roma communities in the area.

The mayors expressed concerns about the dire conditions in the Roma settlement in Tsairia, including lack of electricity and water, and highlighted issues of crime and inadequate policing.

O’Flaherty emphasized the importance of social services in supporting the Roma and called for collaboration with local authorities to improve their living conditions and ensure children’s education.

O’Flaherty highlighted the ongoing human rights violations faced by Roma, including lack of access to healthcare and educational segregation, and called for Europe to wake up to these issues.

The exhibition, showcasing the lives and rights of Roma and Travellers, will be held in Thessaloniki until September 18, 2026, featuring works by photographers George Moutafis and Candice Imbert.

• Σοκ με τη ζωή των Ρομά: Ο Michael O’Flaherty ζητά να ξυπνήσει η Ευρώπη. In: Politics. 15.09.2026. https://www.politic.gr/thessaloniki/sok-me-ti-zoi-ton-roma-o-michael-oflaherty-zita-na-xypnisei-i-evropi
• Συνάντηση δημάρχων με Επίτροπο για τον καταυλισμό στα Τσαΐρια. In: Business Daily. 15.09.2026. https://www.businessdaily.gr/politiki/232204_synantisi-gia-ton-kataylismo-roma-sta-tsairia-me-ton-epitropo-anthropinon?utm_source=Feedelio&utm_medium=News&utm_campaign=APE-MPE&utm_content=auto
• Θεσσαλονίκη: Έκκληση για προστασία δικαιωμάτων Ρομά από τον O’Flaherty. In: Business Daily. 15.09.2026. https://www.businessdaily.gr/politiki/232229_o-epitropos-anthropinon-dikaiomaton-zita-prostasia-dikaiomaton-ton-roma-stin-eyropi?utm_source=Feedelio&utm_medium=News&utm_campaign=APE-MPE&utm_content=auto&amp
• Θεσσαλονίκη: Στο μικροσκόπιο του Συμβουλίου της Ευρώπης ο καταυλισμός Ρομά στα Τσαΐρια. In: R Thess. 15.09.2026. https://www.rthess.gr/politiki-arthra-apopseis/thessaloniki-sto-mikroskopio-tou-symvouliou-tis-evropis-o-katavlismos-roma-sta-tsairia/