Author Archives: Roma Foundation

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation – Continued

Published by:

Relocation – Continued

The issue of Roma families who moved from Košice, Slovakia, to Szalonna, Hungary, and recently returned is still a topic of discussion, with no agreement reached between Hungarian and Slovak representatives after a four-hour meeting.

A businessman from Farkaslyuk has offered jobs and housing to the Roma families, stating that he has successfully employed Slovak Roma for twenty years and believes in treating them with respect.

Despite the offer, some communities are resistant to accepting families from Slovakian slums, indicating a divide in attitudes towards the Roma community.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Social Help in Slovenia

Published by:

Social Help in Slovenia

Andrej Brečko, a Slovenian lawyer, criticized social welfare recipients, particularly targeting the Roma community, for allegedly misusing benefits while enjoying leisure activities like picnics.

He expressed concerns about societal responsibilities and rights, arguing that individuals should prioritize self-sufficiency and contribute to society rather than rely on state support.

Brečko highlighted the disparity between those who have worked for decades with minimal pensions and those who exploit social assistance, calling for a reevaluation of social support systems.

Germany News Western Europe

Cologne and Deportation

Published by:

Cologne and Deportation

An article which severely condemns the Cologne city administration for preventing the deportation of Roma who have committed crimes and are required to leave the country. The article’s author says tht this must not go unpunished.

Europe News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka

Published by:

Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka

Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka, a Polish Romani anthropologist and activist, leads the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, focusing on combating anti-Romani sentiment and promoting Romani identity through art and education.

She highlights the resurgence of anti-Romani attitudes in Europe, linking them to a broader decline in democratic values and the importance of minority rights as indicators of democracy.

The article discusses the need for systemic changes in education and public services to improve the socio-economic conditions of Romani communities, emphasizing the role of trust and collaboration between authorities and these communities.

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

Published by:

French Chronicle …

Many articles about the expulsion of a Roma camp in Orry la Ville, leaving 300 Roma homless. Many of the articles complain of the huge garbage left over when Roma left. As usual, guilt on this one is not always the obvious ones.

Other news, a camp inb Marseilles may be closed;  and the RN (Extreme right) calls for a “restoration of order” in Antibes, read the expulsion of Roma.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Roma

Published by:

Slovenia and Roma

The Šentjernej People’s Initiative claims that police had to intervene multiple times due to violations of public order by local Roma after 10 PM.

They criticized Amnesty International Slovenia for not addressing the concerns of local residents who face harassment and threats from nearby Roma communities.

The initiative, formed by local residents, advocates for equal treatment under the law and zero tolerance for violence, and gained prominence after organizing a protest in 2025 over safety issues.

They actually support rather extreme measures, such as cutting social care if Roma don not “behave” or send their children to school, and want to remove Roma settlemens which they mostly deem illegal.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova and Memory

Published by:

Moldova and Memory

On the eve of the memorial date for the genocide of Roma during World War II, vandals painted over a memorial in Moldova, changing its colors to a toxic red, which shocked community members.

The Roma community in Moldova, estimated at 12,000, is advocating for recognition of their genocide during the war, with many more living abroad, and they commemorate the tragedy annually on August 2.

A memorial panel was created to honor the victims, but the community fears it may be vandalized again, highlighting ongoing issues of intolerance and historical neglect regarding the Roma Holocaust.

News Eastern Europe Serbia Slovenia

Slovenian Conference and Serbia

Published by:

Slovenian Conference and Serbia

The National Council of the Roma National Minority from Serbia participated in the Second International Roma Conference in Slovenia, focusing on the progress and challenges faced by the Roma community over the past 20 years.

Dalibor Nakić, the president of the council, highlighted advancements in education, political participation, and decision-making inclusion for Roma in Serbia, attributing these to collaboration with various institutions and organizations.

The conference included discussions on housing and local development, with a visit to the Pušča Roma settlement in Slovenia, recognized as a model for organized Roma communities with developed infrastructure.

All wishful thinking …

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe North Macedonia

Dzansever Dalipova

Published by:

Dzansever Dalipova

Renowned singer Djansever Dalipova passed away in Essen, Germany, at the age of 59 after battling leukemia and undergoing a critical bone marrow transplant surgery.

The 59-year-old artist was known for her unique performances in arabesque and Romani music, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable songs.

Dalipova’s health issues included losing an eye at a young age and being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, but she made a significant comeback in her music career after a major surgery in 2009.

Djansever’s funeral is expected to take place in North Macedonia, with details yet to be finalized; she is remembered for her resilience and significant contributions to music despite her health struggles.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Politics and Roma

Published by:

Politics and Roma

The SNS (Serbian Progressive Party)  and current party in power upporting Vučić is intensifying efforts to attract Roma voters in southern Serbia, opening new offices in Leskovac, a region historically associated with the SPS (Socialist Party of Serbia).

The absence of the Roma flag in Leskovac’s SNS office raises questions about the party’s approach to representing the Roma community and whether they are being used for political gain.

The shift in political power dynamics indicates that SNS is not only targeting opposition strongholds but is also encroaching on the traditional base of its coalition partner, SPS, suggesting a weakening of the latter’s influence.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Roma Civil Guard

Published by:

Roma Civil Guard

Fülek, Slovakia, established a voluntary Roma civil guard in 2004, which transitioned to a professional service in 2014, supported by EU funding, but has faced funding challenges over the years.

Local authorities have been urging the government to finance the civil guard’s operations to ensure continuity and avoid layoffs, as the current project has ended and a new funding call was delayed.

The civil guards play a crucial role in community safety and support during city events, and the municipality has recently applied for funding to restart the program with a reduced project duration of 18 months.

News Eastern Europe Romania

The Borat Village

Published by:

The Borat Village

The village of Glod in Romania, known for its portrayal in Sacha Baron Cohen’s parody documentary about Kazakhstan, still remembers the dubious production methods and betrayals from that time.

The article describes the lives of Andrei and his grandfather Neamu, who live in this Roma community, reflecting on their history.

The village’s name, Glod, translates to ‘mud’, symbolizing its humble beginnings and the contrast with the nearby city.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Condemned

Published by:

Condemned

A man was convicted by the District Court for Prague 2 for racially motivated assaults against Romani individuals, receiving a two-year prison sentence and being ordered to undergo treatment for alcoholism.

The assaults included physical violence and threats, with the defendant using racist slurs during the incidents, which occurred in December 2025 and July 2025.

The victims expressed relief at the verdict, emphasizing the importance of standing against such violence and protecting others from similar treatment.

Austria News Western Europe

Lackenbach

Published by:

Lackenbach

Commemorative events in Vienna and Lackenbach honored the Roma and Sinti persecuted and murdered during the Nazi regime, with speeches emphasizing the local impact of these historical crimes.

Historian Gerhard Baumgartner highlighted the inhumane treatment of Roma, including wrongful deportations based on misconceptions about them not wanting to work.

The events aimed to preserve the memory of the victims and promote the importance of maintaining the language, culture, and identity of the Roma and Sinti community in Austria.

Greece News Western Europe

This is really bad …

Published by:

This is really bad …

A video from a party in Ano Liosia, Greece, shows a chaotic scene where a man is said to threaten police with a knife, raising concerns about law enforcement and public safety in certain areas of Attica.

The video, intended to mock authorities, depicts police retreating to avoid escalating violence, which has led to criticism of their effectiveness and the state’s tolerance of criminal behavior.

The cover picture of the vide says it all. This is bad in every sense of the word. Bad tht it happened, and bad that it is being escalated in the press.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Another Brawl …

Published by:

Another Brawl …

The Biulgarian police are investigating a mass brawl between two Roma families in the village of Doctor Yosifovo, near Montana in Bulgarian. where a 19-year-old sustained moderate injuries. The incident occurred on Tuesday after a dispute, with a 20-year-old man reportedly inflicting the injuries.

The boulevard press is highlighting these fights on a regular basis, and this is bad. Bad that they happen, and bad, that this is becoming associated with Roma.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Čingar

Published by:

Čingar

The scandal surrounding former Roma organization leader Sergiu Sava has led to calls for a complete restructuring of leadership within the community, as many believe the organization has not served their interests for years.

Community members allege that leadership positions have been filled through favoritism and corruption, with claims of bribes and lack of accountability for financial mismanagement.

There is a strong demand for educated leaders who can effectively represent the Roma community and address their needs, as the current leadership is criticized for being unqualified and disconnected from the community’s issues.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Romanian Relocation

Published by:

Romanian Relocation

Emil Boc, the mayor of Cluj, emphasized that the integration of families relocated from the Pata Rât area is progressing well, with over 100 families already housed in rented accommodations, and no issues reported regarding unpaid bills.

The city is committed to social housing projects and support programs, including financial assistance for rent, aimed at vulnerable populations, particularly those from the Pata Rât area.

Boc rejected claims of integration challenges, asserting that the process is ongoing and supported by various funding sources, and highlighted the importance of work and education for successful integration.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation

Published by:

Relocation

The story of the the Roma families evicted from a settelment in Košice, Slovakia, who relocated to Szalonna, Hungary seems to have taken another turn.

Two Roma families, who apparently do not speak Hungarian and live in deep poverty, have reportedly left Szalonna for Košice, but it is unclear if their departure is permanent or temporary.

Local residents expressed fears of mass resettlement of Roma families from Slovakia, prompting the Szalonna municipality to quickly pass a regulation to prevent further relocations.

The situation has drawn political attention, with a mayoral candidate in Košice using the issue to gain popularity, while the families face challenges due to language barriers and lack of social services in their new location.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

LGBTQ+ and a song

Published by:

LGBTQ+ and a song

A controversy has erupted around Azis’s new song “Mangava tu” due to the use of the phrase “aman от pedali,” which has been criticized as homophobic by LGBTQ+ communities.

Critics argue that Azis, who is openly gay, is normalizing hate speech against sexual minorities, while supporters claim he is using a term familiar within the gay community.

Drag queen Malina Yank defended Azis, stating that within the LGBTQ+ community, such terms can be used among members without malice, emphasizing the importance of artistic expression even if it may offend some.

rroma.org
en_GBEN
de_DEDE fr_FRFR en_GBEN