Category Archives: News Eastern Europe

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Roma Politics

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Roma Politics

Veljko Kajtazi, the Member of Parliament representing the Roma community and 11 other national minorities, stated on Saturday that he left the National Minorities Parliamentary Group because an agreement within the group—that he would be nominated for the position of Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament—was broken.

Following the retirement of Furia Radina, Armin Hodžić from the Bosniak, Albanian, Montenegrin, Macedonian, and Slovenian minorities was elected as the new vice-president, which Kajtazi argues was against their prior agreement.

He claims this constitutes discrimination against the Roma community, but adds that he will continue to support the government of Andrej Plenković.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Brawl

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Brawl

New mass brawls and street fights occurred between two rival clans in the Roma neighborhood of Petrich, Bulgaria, resulting in injuries and police intervention. The police had to fire shots into the air to disperse the fighting crowd, and one person has been detained while others involved are being sought.

Tensions remain high in the area, with increased police presence and potential assistance from gendarmerie to ensure resident safety amid ongoing clan conflicts.

Bad …

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Vote Buying?

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Vote Buying?

The article discusses the ongoing issue of vote-buying among Roma communities in Slovakia, particularly during elections, as highlighted by government commissioner Alexander Daško.

Daško accuses former Prime Minister Igor Matovič and others of promising financial incentives, such as 500 euros, to encourage Roma participation in elections, which they have not received.

A police operation named ‘Candidate’ has led to the arrest of individuals involved in electoral corruption related to the upcoming municipal elections in Martin.

This has more to do with the fact that Roma voted en masse for the opposition during last elections …

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Šutar Act

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Šutar Act

One year after Aleš Šutar’s death, mayors and social services report little improvement in safety and social conditions for the Roma community in southeastern Slovenia, despite the implementation of the ‘Šutar Act’.

The law, aimed at addressing social issues, has faced setbacks due to a constitutional court ruling that halted its enforcement, leading to a return to previous conditions.

While some Roma representatives claim safety has improved, they express concern over the negative impact of the law on the community’s welfare and emphasize that the actions of one individual should not reflect on the entire Roma population.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Roma, School, and Romania

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Roma, School, and Romania

In Cluj County, there are 2,633 Roma students enrolled in schools, making up about 4.55% of the total student population, but only 159 have progressed to high school (9th grade). The distribution of Roma students shows 1,148 in primary education, 1,002 in secondary education, and 297 in early childhood education, with a noted increase in preschool groups.

Six classes teaching in Romani and four preschool groups operate in Cluj, with specific schools mentioned that cater to Roma students. That is probably one of the reason for the poor scores …

Written recommendations confirming Roma ethnicity for 8th-grade students applying for high school in 2027 must be issued and submitted by March 31, 2027, as per the Bucharest School Inspectorate’s guidelines. Recommendations can be issued online and must be submitted to the school by the legal representative of the student, with late submissions not being considered.

A series of deadlines and procedures are outlined for the admission process, including training sessions for teachers and information meetings for parents and students regarding special places for Roma candidates.

So, one has to prove on is Rom????

News Eastern Europe Romania

Congress

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Congress

The Union of Roma Party (P.U.R.) is holding its first congress on October 23, 2026, to elect its leadership and represent the interests of Romanian citizens of Roma ethnicity.

P.U.R. was established in June 2025 and aims to ensure that Roma citizens are represented by Roma themselves in political matters, rather than being subjects of public policies designed without their input.

The party operates within the constitutional framework of Romania and the values of the European Union, advocating for equal opportunities in education, employment, and health for the Roma community.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Battle of Kumanovo

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Battle of Kumanovo

The anniversary of the 1912 Battle of Kumanovo was commemorated in Leskovac, but there is still no concrete plan to include Amet Ametović in the school curriculum despite calls for recognition of his contributions.

Amet Ametović, a participant in the 1912 battle and a recipient of the Karađorđe Star with Swords, is celebrated by local institutions and the Roma community, yet his legacy remains largely unrecognized in education.

There are ongoing discussions about erecting a statue of Amet Ametović, but no specific timeline or funding has been established for this initiative.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Poetry Book

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Poetry Book

Luminiţa Mihai Cioabă’s trilingual poetry collection, published in 2026, explores themes of time, nature, and human existence, emphasizing the interconnectedness of life and death.

The book, translated into German by Beatrice Ungar, was presented at a festive event in Hermannstadt, highlighting its significance in contemporary Romanian poetry.

Cioabă’s work reflects her Roma heritage and personal experiences, inviting readers to engage with universal themes of memory, loss, and hope.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Electoral Corruption?

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Electoral Corruption?

wo men and one woman have been charged with electoral corruption related to upcoming municipal elections in Martin, Slovakia, involving vote buying from the Roma community. The accused allegedly offered to secure 300 to 500 voters for a mayoral candidate in exchange for €5,000 and future contracts if the candidate wins.

An investigator has submitted a proposal for one of the accused to be taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigation by the anti-corruption unit.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Roma Employment

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Roma Employment

Employment of Roma in regions like Dolenjska, Bela Krajina, and Kočevje in Slovenia remains a significant challenge, with discussions on barriers and potential solutions taking place at a recent mayoral school event in Novo Mesto.

Participants highlighted issues such as low education levels, lack of work experience, and community prejudices as major obstacles to Roma employment, emphasizing the need for better collaboration between organizations and local communities.

Despite efforts over the years, progress in integrating Roma into the workforce has been minimal, with calls for more effective long-term strategies and support from local governments.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Counting Roma …

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Counting Roma …

A project, proposed by the Office for Nationalities of Slovenia, aims to develop and test a methodology for a pilot census of the Roma population in Slovenia, focusing on detailed demographic data by age, gender, and settlement.

It will concentrate on 20 municipalities with Roma councilors and five additional municipalities with recorded Roma settlements, with an optional inclusion of Roma in Ljubljana and Maribor.

The project, costing up to 90,000 euros, seeks to establish a database for the selected calendar year and assess the gap between existing estimates and actual collected data, contributing to the implementation of European frameworks for Roma equality.

Well, how do they really count them, and a database of Roma, that we have already seen tooo many times …

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Minorities and Serbian Elections

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Minorities and Serbian Elections

Two articles on the role of minorities in the upcoming Serbian elections. Minority parties will play a crucial role in the elections. Half of the 18 electoral lists are from national minority parties, particularly focusing on the Hungarian and Roma communities.

The Hungarian minority party SVM is the largest and has collaborated with the ruling SNS party, while the Roma community is supporting a student list due to dissatisfaction with their representation.

The article also touches on the challenges faced by other minority groups, including Bosniaks and Albanians, in achieving political representation and their demands for better governance and rights.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Work and Roma in Slovenia

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Work and Roma in Slovenia

Adis Hudorovac, a resident of a Roma settlement in Slovenia, struggles to find employment despite working public jobs and facing transportation challenges due to lack of a driver’s license.

The article discusses the impact of social welfare policies on Roma communities, highlighting the tension between social assistance and employment incentives, with some mayors expressing skepticism about Roma’s willingness to work.

Proposed solutions include job centers and training programs, but there are concerns about the effectiveness of current policies and the ongoing social issues within Roma communities.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Šutar Act

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Šutar Act

Nearly a year after the death of a pub owner, Aleš Šutar, and the subsequent implementation of the Šutar Act what is the situation like in Roma settlements in Slovenia? Some mayors believe that the most significant impact has been on social welfare payments, which are now cut for non respect of laws and regulations.

What is scary are the proposed solutions from the mayors. These include fencing settlements, special schools, and employment centers resembling prisons, as suggested by the mayor of Ribnica.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Who are We?

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Who are We?

A community program titled “Who Are We, Roma?” was held to showcase the diverse values of Roma communities and promote dialogue and acceptance among different cultures.

The event featured discussions led by experts, including a Holocaust historian, emphasizing the importance of understanding Roma identity and cultural heritage.

Participants engaged in activities that highlighted the significance of combating racism and fostering empathy and respect in society, alongside tasting traditional Roma cuisine.

News Eastern Europe Ukraine

CoE on Ukraine

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CoE on Ukraine

The Council of Europe emphasizes that Ukraine must enhance protections for Roma and LGBTQ+ communities despite progress in combating discrimination and ensuring equal rights.

A report highlights ongoing issues, including hate speech targeting these groups and inadequate access to healthcare and education.

The Council has issued 15 recommendations to Ukrainian authorities, focusing on improving education access for Roma children and addressing anti-LGBTQ+ bullying in schools.

News Eastern Europe Ukraine

Odesa Recruitment Office

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Odesa Recruitment Office

A group of Roma attempted to storm a military recruitment center in Odesa after a man, referred to as a ‘Roma baron’ by local media, was detained during mobilization efforts. The crowd threw stones at the military office, demanding the release of the detained man, who is said to have significant influence in the local Roma community.

There are no official reports on injuries or arrests from the incident, and authorities have not confirmed whether the protesters succeeded in entering the building or the fate of the detained individual.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Health Checks

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Health Checks

A national initiative by the Bulgarian Ministry of Health aims to improve access to medical care in the Dobrich region through mobile medical units, offering various health screenings.

The program targets vulnerable communities, including Roma citizens and families in difficult social situations, to enhance preventive care and timely diagnosis.

The initiative is part of a broader national strategy for health equity and inclusion, with no specified dates for the screenings yet.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

How (not) to Count Children

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How (not) to Count Children

The Czech government has issued a set of guidelines on how to identify Roma children in schools. These are: Appearance, Ancestry, Typical surnames, speaking Romanes, having a parent who is supported by a state program aimed at Roma, Cultural practises, and Place of residence.

You wonder …

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Education Campaign

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Education Campaign

A campaign aims to promote inclusive education in Hungary, focusing on integrating Roma and non-Roma children in schools to combat segregation and its negative societal impacts.

Rézműves Szilvia emphasizes the importance of showcasing schools that successfully implement inclusive practices and the need for community involvement in education.

The initiative encourages public voting for the most inclusive school, highlighting the necessity of resources and support for teachers to foster a positive learning environment.

  • NEM AZ A JÓ ISKOLA, AHOVÁ CSAK A LEGJOBBAK JÁRNAK, HANEM AHOL MINDEN GYEREK SZÁMÍT – SZAVAZZ A BEFOGADÓ ISKOLÁKRA! In: WMN. 20.10.2026. https://wmn.hu/ugy/68366-befogado-iskola-torley-katalin-rezmuves-szilvia 
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