Author Archives: Roma Foundation

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Desegregation?

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Desegregation?

The regional council for ethnic and integration issues in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria,  will discuss the desegregation of minorities, following a meeting between local officials and the Amalipe Center leadership.

Key topics include school retention for children, overcoming segregation, preventing youth aggression, and addressing early marriages, with a report to be presented to the government based on expert opinions.

The Amalipe Center is actively working with schools and conducting a mental health survey among minority representatives, while advocating for civic engagement and addressing the lack of political representation for Roma and minorities since 2009.

  • Областна администрация и “Амалипе” с инициатива срещу сегрегацията в региона. In: Borbag. 19.10.2026. https://www.borbabg.com/2026/10/19/oblastna-administratsiya-i-amalipe/
  • Областният съвет за етнически и интеграционни въпроси във Велико Търново ще обсъди десегрегацията на малцинствата в региона. In: Utro Ruse. 189.10.2026.https://utroruse.com/amp/1328681/
France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

An article about the 3’500 Roma who live in shantytowns near Nantes at least presents the truth: these are people employed in the region to pick fruits and vegetables … The rest of the news are standard: Ca camp closure and subequent cleanup near Toulon in the South, and a new camp in Marseilles with angry neighbours.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Gamers and Racism

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Gamers and Racism

The Czech Facebook group “Nerds for Themselves” (Nerdi sobě) has become a platform for discussing retro games but has also revealed pervasive antigypsyism and racism in the Czech Republic.

A post featuring a 1990s video game called “Matiční Street” promotes violence against Roma, where players score points by killing Roma characters depicted in a racist manner.

Despite the group’s large membership, there has been no condemnation of the racist content, highlighting a troubling acceptance of racism within Czech society.

Germany News Western Europe

Z-Soup

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Z-Soup

A vending machine at the Städtisches Klinikum Dresden is causing controversy for offering a soup labeled “Zigeunersuppe,” which is considered discriminatory by many Sinti and Roma.

The term “Zigeuner” is historically linked to exclusion and persecution, and its use in food labeling is increasingly criticized.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Roma Pride

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Roma Pride

Participants at the Roma Pride and Dignity Day in Budapest called for partnership with the current and future Hungarian government to address issues faced by the Roma community, emphasizing the importance of their voices in decision-making.

rganizer Oláh József highlighted ongoing issues such as poverty, housing difficulties, and educational segregation, calling for active participation of Roma communities in political changes.

The event featured a declaration advocating for shared responsibility and collaboration, with Roma professionals seeking involvement in policy-making and implementation processes.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Parliamentary Debate

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Parliamentary Debate

Participants in a parliamentary debate emphasized that political opposition should not justify personal attacks, advocating for respect for human dignity regardless of differing opinions.

Daróczi Ágnes criticized laws that disadvantage marginalized groups, particularly the Roma, and called for coordinated action against discriminatory regulations.

The discussion highlighted the need for the new government to address fundamental rights issues, including restrictions on movement and access to literature, while also exploring ways to combat social prejudices.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Roma in Montenegro

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Roma in Montenegro

The NGO ‘Mladi Romi’ emphasizes that education and employment are crucial for overcoming poverty among Roma and Egyptian families in Montenegro, highlighting persistent issues despite some progress over the past 21 years.

Recent studies indicate that a significant percentage of Roma children lack access to early education and that only a small fraction of young adults complete secondary education, underscoring the need for systemic change.

The organization calls for increased investment in education, legal employment opportunities, and active involvement of the Roma community in creating sustainable solutions to poverty.

News Switzerland

Stumbling Stone

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Stumbling Stone

The first Stolperstein in Switzerland dedicated to a member of the Sinti community was installed in Koblenz, commemorating Anton Reinhardt, a victim of Nazi persecution.

Reinhardt, who sought asylum in Switzerland, was arrested and deported back to Nazi-occupied territory, where he was executed by the SS in 1945.

The memorial highlights the historical accountability of Swiss asylum policies during WWII and the specific vulnerabilities faced by Roma and Sinti.

Germany News Western Europe

Young Roma

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Young Roma

The article discusses the challenges faced by Sinti and Roma communities, highlighting deep-rooted prejudices and anti-Roma sentiment in society.

It features a film that follows four young Roma who are actively combating stereotypes and advocating for empowerment amidst cultural and familial challenges.

The young Roma generation is increasingly resisting discrimination in education, housing, and employment, striving for equal opportunities and societal recognition.

Europe

ODHIR on Roma

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ODHIR on Roma

The Warsaw Human Dimension Conference addressed the democratic obligations and human rights of national minorities, focusing on Roma and Sinti issues, including anti-Roma racism and discrimination in various sectors.

The event highlighted the compounded discrimination faced by Roma and Sinti women, emphasizing the need for an intersectional approach to address issues of racism, misogyny, and gender-based violence. Advocates from Romania, Türkiye, and Spain discussed strategies for combating discrimination and the impact of societal issues like polarization and digital threats on Roma and Sinti women.

Human rights activist Gwendolyn Albert criticized the misuse of state security measures against Roma communities in several countries, highlighting police raids in Greece and the elimination of a human rights department in the Czech Republic.

Former Czech Government Commissioner Lucie Fuková emphasized the need for genuine political support and long-term mentoring for Roma candidates to ensure their successful participation in elections.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbia and Votes

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Serbia and Votes

Robert Kasumović, a Romani activist, claims that the ruling party in Niš uses threats and coercion to control the Romani community for personal gain, with severe consequences for the community’s welfare.

Srđan Šajn, president of the Roma Party, has called for an investigation into alleged coercion of socially vulnerable groups, including Roma, to attend a Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) rally in Novi Sad. He claims that a meeting with Roma leaders discussed financial incentives for attending the rally, potentially linked to voting for SNS in upcoming elections.

Despite the existence of seven Romani parties, their influence is minimal, and there is a lack of political interest in Romani issues, leading to a stagnation in community integration and worsening conditions over the past fifteen years.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria: Vote Buying?

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Bulgaria: Vote Buying?

Roma in Ruse were reportedly offered around 300 euros per vote during the elections.

Their leader, Varban Varbanov, organized a protest to alert authorities about political pressure and threats he received from a local party representative.

Varbanov claims that intermediaries were pressuring him to influence the Roma community to vote for a specific presidential candidate pair in the upcoming elections.

https://youtu.be/tucKgTBIVmU

Greece News Western Europe

OSCE and Greece

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OSCE and Greece

Sabihah Suleiman, president of the Roma Women’s Cultural Association “ELPIDA”, addresses the rights of Roma in Thrace at the OSCE Human Dimension Conference in Warsaw, focusing on education, housing, and identity issues. She emphasizes the need for transparency in social inclusion programs and the importance of Roma community participation in decision-making processes.

Suleiman raises concerns about self-identification rights for Roma and questions the role of the Turkish consulate in Thrace regarding these communities.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Special Schools

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Special Schools

An investigative report reveals that Roma children in Slovakia are being improperly transferred to special schools despite performing well academically, raising concerns about systemic discrimination. The report highlights that many of these children come from marginalized communities and that the special schools receive significantly higher funding per student compared to regular schools.

The Ministry of Education acknowledges the issue as a long-standing problem but defends the director of the special school involved, despite evidence of increasing enrollment in such institutions. In that special school in Snina, he number of students has increased by over 45% in two years.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Vote Buying?

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Vote Buying?

The article relates several documented cases where Roma votes were allegedly bought, where Roma from informal settlements were bused to polling stations or to manifestations, ands this as since 2014. It alleges that Vučić’s SNS Party is behind these schemes. The piece critiques the lack of genuine political representation for the Roma and the oppressive control exerted by the government over their community, leading to worsening conditions over the years.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbian Elections

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Serbian Elections

The Roma Party issued a call today to all political parties focused on representing the interests of the Roma national minority, urging them to declare whether they side with the authorities or the “Student List.” The party maintains that any political group unwilling to take a stand in this referendum-like atmosphere is, in effect, helping the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) stay in power.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgarian Presidential Election

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Bulgarian Presidential Election

According to the Bulgarian press and a large number of articles, measures are being taken to ensure free voting for citizens in the upcoming presidential elections, as stated by the acting chief secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Lyubomir Nikolov.

Efforts are focused on combating vote buying, with 140 police operations conducted primarily in Roma neighbourhoods, resulting in two pre-trial proceedings. There are widely shared views that votes canm be bought in Roma neighbourhoods.

The Ministry is also monitoring cyber threats closely, particularly on election day, and is investigating a recent arson incident involving Starlink antennas near Sofia.

Croatia News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Croatia

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Slovenia and Croatia

Slovenia and Croatia are collaborating to improve the situation of the Roma community through joint initiatives and solutions in key areas affecting their lives.

Key focus areas include better living conditions, education and employment opportunities, combating anti-Roma discrimination, and strengthening political representation for Roma.

The meeting aimed to foster long-term partnerships and develop concrete project proposals based on the actual needs of the Roma community.

Austria News Western Europe

Remembering the Bombs

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Remembering the Bombs

The Antifascist Remembrance Initiative, established in 2023, focuses on raising awareness about right-wing extremist bomb terror in Austria, particularly from 1993 to 1996, which resulted in injuries and fatalities among minority groups.

Their publication, “Missed Remembrance? Right-Wing Bomb Terror 1993–1996 in Austria,” details 25 letter bombs and three pipe bomb attacks, highlighting the impact on victims and society’s response.

The initiative emphasizes the importance of remembering these events to prevent future occurrences, with contributions from various authors, including a piece by Manuela Horvath discussing the Oberwart bombing’s effects on the Roma community.

Europe

Roma and Elections

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Roma and Elections

The OSCE emphasizes the need for ongoing efforts to remove barriers preventing Roma and Sinti from participating in elections, as discussed at a Warsaw conference.

A new handbook was launched to provide guidance on promoting their electoral participation, addressing issues like discrimination, registration difficulties, and under-representation.

The handbook aims to assist various stakeholders in ensuring Roma and Sinti voices are included in electoral processes, highlighting the importance of their active involvement beyond just voting.

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