Category Archives: News Eastern Europe

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Hungarian Politics and Roma

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Hungarian Politics and Roma

Kőszegi Krisztián, a deputy speaker of the Hungarian Parliament, initially refused to shake hands with Roma representative Aba-Horváth István, citing political conflicts and the inappropriateness of a Fidesz (the former majority) member representing a minority.

Following criticism from Prime Minister Magyar Péter regarding the handshake incident, Kőszegi later shook hands with Aba-Horváth during a parliamentary session.

Aba-Horváth expressed that the refusal to shake hands reflects broader issues of respect and acceptance within the political landscape, emphasizing that such rejections affect the entire Roma community.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Roma in Romania

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Roma in Romania

Iulian Paraschiv, president of the National Agency for Roma, stated that the Roma minority is the largest minority in Romania, although this is unofficial.

He explained that the classification is unofficial due to the lack of accurate census data on the Roma population.

The discussion highlights ongoing issues regarding the recognition and rights of the Roma community in Romania.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

ECHR on Bulgaria

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ECHR on Bulgaria

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled against Bulgaria for demolishing a Roma settlement on the outskirts of Sofia in August 2023, violating the right to private and family life of the residents.

56 individuals affected by the demolition filed a complaint, and the court found Bulgaria in violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, but not in violation of Articles 3 and 14 regarding torture and discrimination.

The ECHR awarded each complainant €10,000 in damages, totaling €560,000, along with €18,000 for legal costs to be paid by Bulgaria.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Hungarian Minority?

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Hungarian Minority?

There is a significant Hungarian-speaking Roma community in Slovakia. However, there is very little reliable data available on the size and characteristics of the community, and no research has been conducted on their political activity or party preferences. However, the votes of the Hungarian-speaking Roma community would already be very important for the Hungarian party to have a chance of reaching the parliamentary threshold, and due to the increasing demographic weight of the group, they will be essentially indispensable in the future.

The problem is, they are not voting for the Hungarian party …

Bosnia News Eastern Europe

EU, Bosnia, and Roma

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EU, Bosnia, and Roma

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.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Vučić and Minorities

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Vučić and Minorities

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić visited the village of Strezovce, promising support to local Serbs, prompting a response from Preševo’s mayor, Ardita Sinani, highlighting the presence of Albanians and Roma in the municipality.

Sinani emphasized the need for equal treatment and investment in all communities, including Albanian areas, and criticized the government for its slow response to requests for projects in Albanian neighborhoods.

She called for equal rights and treatment for all residents, regardless of ethnicity, and vowed to continue advocating for the issues faced by Albanians in Preševo.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Clash

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Clash

A violent incident occurred on Saturday night in Tudor Vladimirescu, Romania, involving clashes between groups of Romanians and Roma, described as reminiscent of the ‘Wild West’.

According to the article, the conflict escalated after initial aggression from Roma youths towards Romanian youths, leading to a larger confrontation with local residents.

Police and ambulance services responded to the scene, with one seriously injured Roma man being airlifted to a hospital in Bucharest.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Romano Design

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Romano Design

Romano Design is more than a fashion brand; it serves as a creative platform that promotes Romani cultural heritage through contemporary fashion, art, and storytelling.

Over the past 16 years, the brand has transformed the perception of Romani culture, making it visible in museums and academia, and fostering a community focused on cultural preservation and mentorship.

The founders emphasize the importance of authentic representation of Romani culture, aiming to challenge stereotypes and provide a platform for genuine narratives.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Atlas of Roma Communities

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Atlas of Roma Communities

A Hungarian view on the Atlas of Roma communities, the most accepted data source for the Roma population in Slovakia. Its latest data from 2019 indicates approximately 406,000 Roma, of which 58,000 belong to Hungarian-speaking communities. Actually, in the latest census, much more Roma identified themselves as Hungarians, and Hungarians in Slovakia actually fear that Roma declares tehmeselves as such, decreasing the overall Hungarian commun ity.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Balval Fest

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Balval Fest

Balvalfest, is the oldest Romani festival in Slovakia. It aims to showcase Romani music and dance. The festival features performers from various countries, including the UK, Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Hungary, and encourages young talent to participate.

This year’s event is expected to attract around 2,000 visitors and is supported financially by the Minorities Culture Support Fund.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Hatred

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Hatred

Edita Stejskalová, Czech Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs, addressed the ongoing discrimination and violence against Roma children during a commemorative gathering at the former g*psy camp in Hodonín u Kunštátu, marking 83 years since the transport of Roma to Auschwitz.

She highlighted recent incidents of violence and racism against Roma children, emphasizing that hatred towards them is not just a historical issue but a current reality.

Stejskalová called for awareness and action against both overt and systemic discrimination, particularly in housing and education, stressing that no child should suffer due to their ethnicity.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Rroma Film Festival

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Rroma Film Festival

The RROMA Film Festival will showcase short films inspired by Roma culture from September 4-6 in Brasov and Augustin, featuring a special screening of ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin.’

The festival will honour Salvador Dali and include a celebration of Roma culture with traditional music and culinary experiences.

The closing ceremony will feature the film ‘Malul Vanat’ and a tribute to a lost film about Roma communities, with free admission to all events.

News Eastern Europe North Macedonia Serbia

Roma, Serbia, and North Macedonia

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Roma, Serbia, and North Macedonia

A delegation of Roma political, social, and media representatives from Serbia met with Minister Nedžet Mustafa in Skopje to discuss Roma political participation and regional cooperation.

Key points included the need for stronger political organization among Roma, continuous political awareness, and active involvement of new generations in decision-making processes.

The meeting emphasized the importance of regional collaboration and combating discrimination, with a call for ongoing institutionalized efforts rather than sporadic meetings.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Blood and Honour

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Blood and Honour

After the arrest of the killers from the Youth Hill in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and the operation of the National Anti-Terrorism Service and the Directorate of the Bulgarian Anti-Terrorism Service in the den of “Blood and Honor”, it was established that this is a large network of minors and juveniles. They are trained to intimidate, harass and rape specific groups of people who have been targeted in advance.

Photos of gypsies were found in two of the phones, who are believed to have been targeted for a future action. According to media reports, before the victim Georgi Kuzev, the killers from the Youth Hill had attacked another victim.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Commemoration

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Commemoration

A commemorative ceremony was held on August 20, 2025, at the Hodonín u Kunštátu Memorial to honor the Roma and Sinti victims of the Holocaust, particularly those deported to Auschwitz in 1943.

The event will feature speeches from descendants of survivors and officials, and will include floral offerings and prayers at the memorial and mass grave site.

The Hodonín concentration camp, operational from 1942 to 1943, primarily held Roma families and is a significant site for remembering the genocide against the Roma and Sinti during World War II.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Adoption yes – but…

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Adoption yes – but…

45 children are waiting for adoption in Podravina and Prigorje, Croatia, most of them are being considered as more difficult to adopt. Children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable, but also Roma children: ‘Nationality is important to adopters’.

No comments …

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Demolitions

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Demolitions

The mayor of Stara Zagora, Zhivko Todorov, has demolished the last 20 illegal houses in the Roma neighborhood of Lozenets, claiming they cannot be legalized as they are built on state forest land.

The local government has faced criticism for not addressing illegal constructions in other areas, particularly those owned by influential individuals, highlighting a perceived bias in enforcement.

The article discusses the ongoing marginalization of the Roma community, the lack of effective integration policies, and the need for a more humane approach to their housing issues.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Racist Attack

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Racist Attack

The podcast SODAcast discusses a recent racist attack on two Roma, highlighting the court’s decision to sentence the attacker to two years in prison, which is not yet final as the defendant has appealed.

The hosts criticize the lack of media coverage on the case, particularly from public broadcasters, and emphasize the importance of such cases for building trust among Roma communities in state institutions.

The podcast also addresses issues of long-term segregation of Roma children in schools, the recent suspension of Roma TV due to low viewership, and the ongoing discussions about the influence of the Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs.

https://youtu.be/UW63huMM30k

News Eastern Europe Romania

Illegal Houses

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Illegal Houses

The Romanian government has amended the urban planning and construction code to allow municipalities to legalize unauthorized constructions, including those built without permits, until August 2027.

This change is seen as a political maneuver to gain favor with voters ahead of the 2028 elections, particularly benefiting mayors who have historically allowed illegal constructions in rural areas.

The new regulations raise concerns about safety and legality, as they may enable the legalization of unsafe buildings and increase the power of mayors in local governance.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Romani Culture

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Romani Culture

The Ministry of Culture in Romania has launched a pilot program to support and promote Roma culture, led by the Musical Theater “Ambasadorii”.

The initiative aims to involve Roma artists in theater productions and highlight their cultural contributions through workshops, conferences, and artistic development activities.

The project is seen as a step towards establishing a dedicated public institution for Roma performances by 2027, although immediate establishment is hindered by financial and administrative constraints.

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