Bosnia – rroma.org https://rroma.org Sun, 11 Oct 2026 10:36:16 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://rroma.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cropped-greenwheel_large-1-32x32.png Bosnia – rroma.org https://rroma.org 32 32 Ethnic Cleansing https://rroma.org/ethnic-cleansing-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ethnic-cleansing-2 Sun, 11 Oct 2026 10:36:16 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=35533 Zijo Ribić is a Roma survivor of ethnic cleansing during the Bosnian War. He shares his experiences in the book “I Do Not Hate: The Story of Zijo” by Andrea Rizza Goldstein. Zijo recounts the traumatic events of his childhood, including the murder of his family and his struggle to overcome hatred, ultimately advocating for peace and reconciliation.

Despite the trauma he endured, Zijo emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and has become a symbol of resilience, participating in legal proceedings against his family’s murderers.

]]> Hamidovic Clan https://rroma.org/hamidovic-clan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hamidovic-clan Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:19:38 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=34954 Seven members of the Hamidovic family are on trial in Paris for human trafficking, organized theft, corruption of minors, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy, accused of forcing children to steal in specific locations.

The clan, known for exploiting young girls, allegedly coerced children under 13 to steal up to 300 euros daily, using violence and threats to ensure compliance.

Previous operations against the clan have led to convictions, and the current trial focuses on the nephew of a previously convicted leader, indicating ongoing criminal activities.

They are Bosnian Roma. It is really bad.

]]> EU, Bosnia, and Roma https://rroma.org/eu-bosnia-and-roma/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=eu-bosnia-and-roma Tue, 25 Aug 2026 14:33:54 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=34476 The European Union will allocate 12 million euros through IPA funds to improve housing conditions for the Roma population in 15 local communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

The program aims to address the housing needs of Roma families and will be implemented with the support of the UN Development Program (UNDP).

The Minister for Human Rights and Refugees, Sevlid Hurtić, emphasized the importance of directing funds to areas with the greatest needs, highlighting collaboration among local institutions, the EU, and the UN.

]]> Roma in Bosnia https://rroma.org/roma-in-bosnia-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=roma-in-bosnia-2 Wed, 05 Aug 2026 14:04:49 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=34042 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.

]]> Bosnia and Fascism https://rroma.org/bosnia-and-fascism/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bosnia-and-fascism Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:36:24 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33741 Young artist, author of the book “Cactus in an Orchid Field” and human rights activist Almir Agić, guesting on “Sarajevo Morning”, drew attention to the worrying level of hate speech and prejudice that the Roma community faces every day in public space.

On this occasion, Agić decided to speak about the worrying comments directed at young men and women of the Roma population instead of personal successes, emphasizing that dehumanization and racist rhetoric represent a serious problem for the entire society.

“The moment when fascism becomes a solution for something in our public space and society, it is not just a problem for Roma, it is a problem for our entire society.” – Almir Agić emphasized.

]]> Massacre Survivor https://rroma.org/massacre-survivor/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=massacre-survivor Fri, 17 Jul 2026 12:58:51 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33641 Ribic survived a brutal attack by Serbian paramilitaries, who believed him dead and buried him with his family, but he escaped and was later saved by Serbian soldiers who refused to return him to his attackers.

The Ribic family had previously fled to Serbia to escape ethnic cleansing but returned to Bosnia, where they were ultimately killed in the Skocic massacre, a significant crime against the Roma during the Bosnian war.

The suffering of the Roma community during the war has been largely overlooked, with a recent study highlighting their persecution, and calls for justice remain unfulfilled, reflecting a historical pattern of neglect.

]]> Bosnian War Crimes https://rroma.org/bosnian-war-crimes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bosnian-war-crimes Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:14:11 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33534 July 12 marks the 34th anniversary of one of the most serious and monstrous crimes committed against Roma civilians during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On the Orthodox holiday of St. Peter’s Day in 1992, members of a paramilitary formation known as “Sima’s Chetniks” carried out a massacre of the inhabitants of the Roma settlement of Skočić near Kozluk, near Zvornik.

After looting, brutal beatings, torture, rape and humiliation, they captured members of Roma families and then took them to the hamlet of Hamzići near Malešić, where they were shot and thrown into a pit.

28 Roma civilians were killed in the crime, including nine children and one pregnant woman. This massacre is considered the largest single war crime against Roma committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

]]> Conference in Bosnia https://rroma.org/conference-in-bosnia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=conference-in-bosnia Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:51:16 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33290 A conference supported by the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina focused on the political participation of national minorities and proposed changes to the electoral law to ensure their representation at various government levels.

Council Chairman Mujo Fafulić emphasized the need for guaranteed seats for national minorities in the electoral law, aiming for representation by 2028 and 2030.

OSCE officials highlighted the importance of inclusive decision-making and the ongoing challenges in implementing legal protections for national minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

]]> Bosnian Unity https://rroma.org/bosnian-unity/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bosnian-unity Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:09:35 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33027 Leaders of Roma organizations in Bosnia emphasize unity among Roma to improve living conditions, education, and employment opportunities. Future collaboration will focus on joint projects, youth support, and preserving Roma culture while strengthening ties with local communities.

The situation for Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina is gradually improving, with education and community involvement seen as key to further progress.

]]> Integration in Bosnia https://rroma.org/integration-in-bosnia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=integration-in-bosnia Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:52:33 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=32912 Although the Roma community in Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to face numerous challenges, examples from Gradiška and Prnjavor show that the position of the Roma has been changing for the better in recent years.

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