Skënder
Veliu was born in Lushnje, on April 21, 1956. He attended
and completed the secondary and high school studies in his
native city. From 1975 to1980, he attended the University
studies in the Agricultural Department Faculty in Tirana.
After graduation, he worked as an agriculture expert in the
Agricultural Enterprise “29 Nëntori” in Lushnje.
In the early years of democracy, he was
active and linked with the political movement in the country.
During the period 1992 – 1996, he studied Law, (correspondence
system) in Tirana. From 1993 to 1996, he was the deputy
leader of the Party “Popular Movement”.
Starting from 1991, some Roma intellectuals
are made active for the integration of Roma community living
in Albania. Skënder Veliu was an active participant
for the foundation of the first Roma organization in Albania.
He was elected General Secretary of the Albanian Roma Association.
In 1996, after a casting vote in the Roma
General Assembly, he was elected the President of the Union
of Albanian Roma called “Amaro Drom”. Since
that period, he is actively involved with the protection
of the rights of the Roma community in Albania.
Since 1998, he is also the Deputy President of the Balkan
Roma Federation, with its residence in Sofia, Bulgaria.
In the meantime, he is also engaged in his
political activity in the country. In 2001, he has competed
for Member of the Albanian Parliament, as a member of the
Party “Union for Human Rights”. He is further
trained, especially on the protection of human rights, the
protection of the rights of the children; the ancient and
modern history on minorities conducted by Euro-Klio, as
well as Community development by the International Foundation
“Spolu”
He
is currently holding the position of the President of the
Union of Albanian Roma “Amaro Drom” located
in Tirana.
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