The Council of Europe, after 40 years of activities with Roma, is intensifying its commitment to monitoring and improving their situation and to involving their representatives in the creation of the policies which concern them.This publication, a reference work and an analysis intended to further knowledge and inspire reflection on the issues, presents a summary of the relevant adopted texts and activities by placing them in a historical perspective. The facts, all too often isolated, must be given greater visibility to increase their legibility - beyond a simple summary - and foster a long-term vision.Devised to be useful to both political decision makers and to administrative representatives - at European, national and local levels - and to activists in non-governmental organisations, this work will interest everyone concerned by the situation of Roma in Europe.