Author Archives: Roma Foundation

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Roma in Croatia

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Roma in Croatia

In Croatia Roma officially constitute a community of around 18,000 people, although the actual number is many times higher.

Although the position of Roma has gradually improved in recent years, their social status and level of human rights protection still lag significantly behind the average of the majority population. They are often associated with specific and difficult social and economic circumstances – living in settlements without basic infrastructure, without permanent employment and, especially, without administratively regulated aspects of life, from personal documents and legalization of land and houses to working in the grey zone.

France Germany News Western Europe

Django Reinhardt Movie

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Django Reinhardt Movie

A movie from 2017 about Django Reinhardt. While other Sinti across Europe are persecuted, Django’s popularity allows him to feel safe – until the Nazis try to send him on tour to Germany. Django refuses. His Parisian lover helps him, his pregnant wife, and his mother go into hiding near the Swiss border. There he meets members of his extended family, who are also on the run. He plans to cross Lake Geneva into Switzerland, but the Nazis are hot on his heels.

Well, the Swiss denied him Entry …

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Amnesty and Slovenia

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Amnesty and Slovenia

In Slovenia, discrimination remains one of the key problems in ensuring human rights, Amnesty International Slovenia warns. The Roma population still faces it on a daily basis and at a systemic level all too often.

Germany News Western Europe

Roma in Berlin

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Roma in Berlin

After years of complaints and repeated police operations, the Berlin authorities are finally pulling the plug: The controversial Roma accommodation in the “BB Hotel” in Berlin Schöneberg will no longer be used to house the homeless, with many Roma under them.

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

French news last week were dominated with a reportage from TF1, state TV about how minors are exploited by Roma networks to maximise gains. Again, this might be part of the reality, but how it is presented is simply pandering to sterotypes and extrapolating to all Roma. In brief, a racist narrative.

Other news, the usual: closure of a camp near Orange, in the Sotuh of France, and a fight between Roma (according to the extreme right Breizh info).

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Czechia Podcast

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Czechia Podcast

In the twenty-second review episode of the SODAcast podcast, its authors Zdeněk Ryšavý and Patrik Banga return to this year’s celebrations of International Roma Day, the reception of Roma personalities at Prague Castle, and the debate on changes in the Agency for Social Inclusion. They also address the case of Václav Sivák, who wore a sweatshirt with a Russian flag at a press conference, the police crackdown on children in Most, and other events of recent weeks.

News Eastern Europe Romania Serbia

Lolita Cercel

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Lolita Cercel

Lolita Cercel, created virtually with the help of artificial intelligence, is a star in Romania and beyond. Her genre, “Balkan trip-hop”, combines traditional Roma melodies with modern pop, dance and electronic rhythms and has long since become part of the mainstream music scene. But, in addition to fame, she is also the target of critics. “The instrumentalization of Roma culture”, someone called her. According to critics, while real Roma artists are often underestimated, a “virtual, racially charged and dehumanized Roma identity” is suddenly gaining ground.

News Eastern Europe Ukraine

Ukraine, War, and Roma

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Ukraine, War, and Roma

Women Leaders Create First Inclusive Social Laundry in Nerubayska Community in Odessa Region. In the social laundry, vulnerable families can not only use services free of charge, but also wait out the power outage, chat, drink tea, and receive psychological or social support. Another task of the “Pure Dignity” project is to overcome stereotypes: public prejudice against the Roma community, and among Roma families themselves, caution in interacting with services.

Austria Croatia Hungary News Eastern Europe News Western Europe

Burgenland

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Burgenland

On the occasion of International Roma Day, the Roma National High School last week invited young people to a youth event in the Borta Open House (OHO). Young members of the Roma, Croatian and Hungarian ethnic groups participated. The main topic was networking and involving young people in political processes.

Bulgaria Europe News Eastern Europe

XV Congress

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XV Congress

A press release announcing that Sofia will host the XV World Roma Congress, which will be held in the period 29–31 October 2026. The event is organized by the Association “United Civic Initiatives – OGI E ROMENGO” with chairman and main organizer Toma Mladenov.

According to the organisers, Delegations from over 40 countries are expected to participate, as well as representatives of international institutions such as the UN, the Council of Europe and the European Union. The forum is expected to be one of the most significant international events related to the Roma community in recent years.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Arrests

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Arrests

The Roma mayor in the Garmen neighborhood “Kremikovtsi” in the Blagoevgrad region of Bulgaria was detained as part of a specialized police operation.

There are two detainees, and the home of a deputy mayor of a municipality is being searched based on reports. During searches of the home of one of those being searched, an illegal gun was found.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

EU Funds for Roma

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EU Funds for Roma

At a press conference on Tuesday, the opposition Slovakia Movement presented a series of findings that, according to its representatives, point to the systemic misuse of European money intended to help Roma communities. Representatives of the movement pointed out suspicious subsidies, conflicts of interest, personal connections and a commission mechanism in projects in Roma settlements.

They are calling for the dismissal of the Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities, Alexander Dašek, from his position. The Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities (ÚSVRK) rejects the movement’s claims. It called them purposeful disinformation.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovakia and Special Schools

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Slovakia and Special Schools

A Rom frokm Slovakia was honoured by the Association for Culture, Education and Communication (ACEC) for successfully promoting the re-diagnosis of a Roma boy from a special school, thanks to which the boy was able to continue his education at a regular elementary school in Zvolen.

Well, it says effectively a young Rom was sent to a special school for mentally disadvantaged children just because of his etnicity.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and the Šutar Act

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Slovenia and the Šutar Act

The Mayor of Novo Mesto, Gregor Macedoni called for the protection of victims of misdemeanors. He argues that the Šutar Act only allows seizure of the financial social assistance after three unsuccessful enforcements.

The Ombudsman and the Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy emphasize that the state must also respect constitutional boundaries and human rights while ensuring the security of citizens.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Romanes in Czechia

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Romanes in Czechia

According to estimates, there are about a quarter of a million Romani people living in the Czech Republic, but only a portion of them speak Romani. About a third of the youngest generation speaks the language. Romani scholar Marie Podlahová Bořkovcová is trying to reverse this trend not only through teaching, but also through competitions, workshops and literature. “There are also those who are ashamed of speaking Romanes, because being a Rom among children today is not easy,” she says in an interview.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Hungarian Elections

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Hungarian Elections

4 Roma and 1 Romni were elected to the Hungarian parliament last Sunday. Four of the five are members of the new Tisza Party of Peter Magyar.

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