Nevada (US), July 10 (ANI): Hindus have urged Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie to undertake the cause of apartheid of 15-million Roma people of Europe.

Rajan Zed, acclaimed Hindu statesman, in a statement in Nevada today, said that Jolie, world’s most powerful celebrity, would be very effective in focusing public opinion world over on Roma apartheid. Many Hollywood and other entertainment bigwigs had successfully worked against South Africa’s apartheid in the past.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that Jolie had promoted humanitarian causes world over and Roma would be the next worthwhile cause for her to undertake. If she wanted his services in regard to Roma cause, he was willing to support her.

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, unusually high unemployment rates, etc., Rajan Zed pointed out.

It was like an undeclared apartheid and it was almost total societal exclusion of Roma. The maltreatment of Roma was outside even the European Union norms. Roma issue should be one of the highest priorities of human rights agenda of Europe and world, Zed stressed and added 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 34-year old Oscar winner Angelina Jolie (Changeling) is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency and is known for her refugee projects, conservation work and philanthropy. She has received Citizen of the World Award, Global Humanitarian Award, Freedom Award, etc. (ANI)