Author Archives: Roma Foundation

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Really?

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Really?

A municipal councilor in Sofia, Carlos Kontrera, proposed to immediately stop public transport lines in Roma neighborhoods following a violent incident involving a bus in the ‘Hristo Botev’ area, predominantly inhabited by Roma.

Kontrera claims that previous measures to shorten the bus route reduced incidents of vandalism, and he plans to propose further restrictions on the bus line.

He emphasizes that public transport is not a given for those who vandalize and suggests that stricter measures, including police presence, are necessary in these areas.

Kosovo News Eastern Europe

Kosovo Politics

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Kosovo Politics

Albert Kinoli, a member of the United Roma Party of Kosovo, and Rasim Demiri, president of the Bosniak VAKAT party, expect to meet with Prime Minister Albin Kurti about forming institutions soon.

Kinoli expressed readiness to participate in the formation of Kosovo’s institutions and to vote for the president, emphasizing the urgency of establishing these institutions.

A constitutive session of the Kosovo Assembly is scheduled for tomorrow following the elections held on June 7.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Affirmative Action

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Affirmative Action

The Romanian Ministry of Education discussed the expansion of affirmative measures for Roma students and clarified the role of a mechanism to confirm Roma ethnicity during consultations with various stakeholders.

Approved measures for the 2026-2027 academic year include guaranteed places in primary, secondary, and higher education, as well as scholarships and a mechanism for confirming eligibility based on ethnicity.

The confirmation mechanism is voluntary and aims to ensure that affirmative measures reach the intended beneficiaries, with the document being issued by Roma community organizations or local authorities.

News Eastern Europe Poland

Racial Persecution

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Racial Persecution

Accodting to the article, the roots of Nazi persecution of the Roma can be traced back to changing perceptions of the group during the modernization of European societies, as discussed in Sławomir Kapralski’s book “Naród z popiołów”.

In the 19th century, racial theories emerged that interpreted social and cultural differences as inherent biological traits, leading to the ‘naturalization of difference’ and viewing Roma as biologically distinct and unchangeable.

This perspective shifted the view of Roma from a social problem to a biological one, resulting in their increasing exclusion and eventual persecution, including sterilization and extermination.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Population Census

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Population Census

The article discusses the ongoing debate regarding the accurate population count of the Roma community in Hungary, highlighting discrepancies between census data and researchers’ estimates due to factors like identity and assimilation.

According to the latest census, about 210,000 people identified as Roma, (a 30% dreacres relative to the previous Hungar4ian Census) but estimates suggest the actual number could range from 500,000 to 1 million, with projections indicating a significant increase by 2050.

The Roma population is characterized by a young demographic structure, with higher birth rates compared to the general population, raising questions about future coexistence and integration with Hungarian society.

This latter statement is again unsubstanciated. It is assuming that all Roma have many children, whereas the majority is not. Many children is related to poverty, not to being Roma.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation

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Relocation

Authorities in Hungary are investigating the relocation of Roma families from the illegal settlement in Košice, Slovakia, to Hungary, focusing on the organization and funding of the process.

The relocation, which began in July, has raised concerns about the rights of the residents, including access to healthcare and education, as the government was informed only shortly before the move.

The mayor of the district claims the move was voluntary and aimed at helping families improve their living conditions, while a police investigation has been initiated following a complaint regarding the legality of the relocation.

Austria News Western Europe

Burgenland Roma

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Burgenland Roma

A docuemntary about Roma from Burgenland, featuring texts by Michael Köhlmeier, spans from the 1930s to the present, addressing themes of adaptation pressure, persecution, and exclusion, while also celebrating the cultural diversity and vibrancy of the Burgenland Roma community.

The Roma community played a significant role in the creation of the documentary, with historical settings resembling a Roma camp from the 1930s being constructed for filming in Oslip.

Musical contributions to the film include works from Ferry Janoska and Tony Wegas.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Silence …

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Silence …

On August 2, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar and Speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer remained silent about the Roma Holocaust, which the Roma Press Center criticized, stating that silence is also a stance.

They emphasized the importance of acknowledging the historical tragedy of the Roma community, particularly the extermination of nearly 3,000 Roma individuals at Auschwitz in 1944.

The article highlights the historical responsibility of the Hungarian state in the persecution and deportation of Roma people, calling for public acknowledgment and reflection on this dark chapter of history.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Relocation …

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Relocation …

That was to be expected. After the relocation of Roma from Slovakia to Szalonna, Hungary, the extreme-right movement “Mi Hazánk”manifested itself.

It is urging government officials to “protect” the village of Szalonna from the relocation of residents from troubled neighborhoods in Košice, citing concerns over mass migration.

The Hungarian Ministry of Interior is investigating the relocation of Roma families from the Lubina settlement in Košice, focusing on the legality and transparency of the real estate transactions involved.

The demolition of the Lubina settlement, which affected seven families from a marginalized Roma community, has been described as highly unusual by the Slovak government’s commissioner for Roma communities.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia Commemoration

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Slovenia Commemoration

The President of the Roma Community in Slovenia, Jožek Horvat – Muc, emphasized that discussions about the genocide against Roma are crucial for understanding human rights and the current status of the Roma community.

He highlighted the dangers of marginalization and the persistence of anti-Roma sentiment in Europe, which is rooted in historical prejudice and exacerbated by contemporary socio-political issues.

The memorial event served as a reminder of the systematic extermination of Roma during the Nazi regime and underscored the importance of preserving historical memory to combat discrimination and promote social equality today.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Really?

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Really?

The Tatranská gallery recently opened a new exhibition. The project entitled The Color of Faith presents the works of Ľubomír Hajdučík and Jozef Sedlák. It is a theological-anthropological visual probe of the experience of faith in selected Roma communities from the settlements of Podhorany and Kolačkov.

So far so good … but then …

According to the gallery: “In the given realities, the project reveals the historically given essential orientation and attachment of the Roma in religious rituals to the magic of colors, the fascination with colorful ornaments and the ostentatiousness of clothing. In a contextual way, it captures the paradigm of the specific relationship of the Roma to the ceremonial service of liturgical ceremonies of baptism, first communion, funerals, weddings or the consecration of specific families, dwellings and entire urban spaces of settlements.”

Bosnia News Eastern Europe

Roma in Bosnia

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Roma in Bosnia

Dervo Sejdić highlights the historical persecution of Roma during the Nazi occupation and the ongoing discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly regarding the unimplemented Sejdić-Finci ruling by the European Court of Human Rights.

Sejdić, a prominent Roma rights advocate, gained recognition for his role in a landmark case that challenged the ethnic-based political system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which excludes minorities from political representation.

Despite facing numerous obstacles, including nationalist opposition and a lack of international support, Sejdić continues to fight for the rights of minorities and the democratization of the country.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Ethnic Cleansing and Pogrom

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Ethnic Cleansing and Pogrom

In April 1995, the Roma settlement in Danilovgrad, Montenegro, was completely destroyed during an anti-Roma pogrom after two young Roma were accused of having raped a local girl.

A police academy was built on the site of the settlement with no memorial left at the site.

Human rights activist Aleksandar Saša Zeković has called for a memorial to acknowledge the historical injustice and educate future police officers about the importance of protecting minority rights.

The UN Committee against Torture found that Montenegro violated international conventions by failing to prevent the violence and subsequent forced eviction of the Roma community.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Brawl in Bulgaria

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Brawl in Bulgaria

Several articles about a brawl among Roma families in Vurshitz, Bulgaria. Apparently this ivolved a large group of Roma but only resulted in one person sustaining a cut on its arm.

According to the articles, the police prevented a worse outcome.

Additional police units were deployed to maintain public order, and those involved in the fight were detained for up to 24 hours while an investigation was initiated.

Uncategorized

Relocation – continued

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Relocation – continued

The Slovak government is overseeing the relocation of two Roma families from Košice to Hungary, with plans to evaluate the situation and issue a statement after visiting the families.

Local officials, including the mayor of Košice, deny claims of organized relocation, asserting that the families moved voluntarily and purchased properties independently.

Concerns have arisen in Hungary regarding the arrival of these families, leading to local councils considering regulations to protect community identity and prevent unwanted relocations.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Hungary and Roma

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Hungary and Roma

In her Facebook post, Minister of Education and Children’s Affairs, Lannert Judit, urged greater involvement of Roma communities, long-term cooperation and broader social dialogue.

The Minister announced in her post that the Roma Cultural Forum will be established at the initiative of the Social Policy Coordination led by Kriszta Bódis. The initiative aims to ensure that the experiences of Roma professionals, cultural actors and researchers are directly reflected in the preparation of policy decisions.

News Eastern Europe Poland

Łódź

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Łódź

A memorial ceremony was held at the Romani Forge in Łódź to commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Romani and Sinti Genocide during the Holocaust, recalling the tragic fate of over 5,000 Romani and Sinti prisoners held in a Nazi camp in 1941.

The event highlighted the importance of remembering the extermination of Romani people during WWII, and the ongoing need for education and awareness to prevent such atrocities from happening again.

Local officials emphasized the horrific conditions in the Litzmannstadt Ghetto and the subsequent deportation and murder of survivors in extermination camps, urging reflection on the lessons learned from this dark chapter in history.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova Commemoration

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Moldova Commemoration

A memorial plaque was inaugurated on August 3rd at the Visterniceni train station in Chișinău to commemorate the Roma deported during World War II, coinciding with the European Day of Commemoration of the Roma Holocaust.

Vasile Drangoi shared his family’s tragic story of deportation, highlighting the suffering and loss experienced by the Roma community during this period.

The Moldovan authorities are working on a national plan to promote awareness of the Roma Holocaust, including addressing anti-Roma sentiment in educational programs.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Uštica

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Uštica

The International Day of Remembrance of Romani Victims of Genocide, Samudaripen, was commemorated at the Romani memorial cemetery in Uštica, Croatia, emphasizing the importance of remembering the suffering of Roma during World War II as part of European collective memory.

The commemoration included the opening of the ‘Amare, amale’ Peace and Friendship Park, dedicated to those who helped persecuted Roma, and highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Roma in education, employment, and public services.

Officials stressed that remembrance must extend beyond annual commemorations to include education and the fight against discrimination, warning that indifference can lead to tragedy, and that the memory of Samudaripen is a shared responsibility of Croatian and European history.

News Eastern Europe Poland

Auschwitz

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Auschwitz

Polish President Karol Nawrocki emphasized the importance of remembering the the Roma Genocide in the Holocaust during the 82nd anniversary of the liquidation of the Romani camp in Birkenau, condemning all forms of racism and extremism.

Survivors and community leaders called for the inclusion of Romani history in European school curricula to combat rising anti-Romani sentiment and discrimination.

The event highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by Romani people in Europe, including discrimination in education, healthcare, and employment, while reaffirming Poland’s commitment to remembering the victims of the Romani genocide.

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