There was a Roma music festival in Tallin.
In Croatia Roma officially constitute a community of around 18,000 people, although the actual number is many times higher.
Although the position of Roma has gradually improved in recent years, their social status and level of human rights protection still lag significantly behind the average of the majority population. They are often associated with specific and difficult social and economic circumstances – living in settlements without basic infrastructure, without permanent employment and, especially, without administratively regulated aspects of life, from personal documents and legalization of land and houses to working in the grey zone.
Amnesty criticizes Slovakia for constitutional amendment: Changes are part of a shift from democracy to authoritarianism.
In Slovenia, discrimination remains one of the key problems in ensuring human rights, Amnesty International Slovenia warns. The Roma population still faces it on a daily basis and at a systemic level all too often.
In the twenty-second review episode of the SODAcast podcast, its authors Zdeněk Ryšavý and Patrik Banga return to this year’s celebrations of International Roma Day, the reception of Roma personalities at Prague Castle, and the debate on changes in the Agency for Social Inclusion. They also address the case of Václav Sivák, who wore a sweatshirt with a Russian flag at a press conference, the police crackdown on children in Most, and other events of recent weeks.
Lolita Cercel, created virtually with the help of artificial intelligence, is a star in Romania and beyond. Her genre, “Balkan trip-hop”, combines traditional Roma melodies with modern pop, dance and electronic rhythms and has long since become part of the mainstream music scene. But, in addition to fame, she is also the target of critics. “The instrumentalization of Roma culture”, someone called her. According to critics, while real Roma artists are often underestimated, a “virtual, racially charged and dehumanized Roma identity” is suddenly gaining ground.
Women Leaders Create First Inclusive Social Laundry in Nerubayska Community in Odessa Region. In the social laundry, vulnerable families can not only use services free of charge, but also wait out the power outage, chat, drink tea, and receive psychological or social support. Another task of the “Pure Dignity” project is to overcome stereotypes: public prejudice against the Roma community, and among Roma families themselves, caution in interacting with services.
On the occasion of International Roma Day, the Roma National High School last week invited young people to a youth event in the Borta Open House (OHO). Young members of the Roma, Croatian and Hungarian ethnic groups participated. The main topic was networking and involving young people in political processes.
A press release announcing that Sofia will host the XV World Roma Congress, which will be held in the period 29–31 October 2026. The event is organized by the Association “United Civic Initiatives – OGI E ROMENGO” with chairman and main organizer Toma Mladenov.
According to the organisers, Delegations from over 40 countries are expected to participate, as well as representatives of international institutions such as the UN, the Council of Europe and the European Union. The forum is expected to be one of the most significant international events related to the Roma community in recent years.
The Roma mayor in the Garmen neighborhood “Kremikovtsi” in the Blagoevgrad region of Bulgaria was detained as part of a specialized police operation.
There are two detainees, and the home of a deputy mayor of a municipality is being searched based on reports. During searches of the home of one of those being searched, an illegal gun was found.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the opposition Slovakia Movement presented a series of findings that, according to its representatives, point to the systemic misuse of European money intended to help Roma communities. Representatives of the movement pointed out suspicious subsidies, conflicts of interest, personal connections and a commission mechanism in projects in Roma settlements.
They are calling for the dismissal of the Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities, Alexander Dašek, from his position. The Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities (ÚSVRK) rejects the movement’s claims. It called them purposeful disinformation.
A Rom frokm Slovakia was honoured by the Association for Culture, Education and Communication (ACEC) for successfully promoting the re-diagnosis of a Roma boy from a special school, thanks to which the boy was able to continue his education at a regular elementary school in Zvolen.
Well, it says effectively a young Rom was sent to a special school for mentally disadvantaged children just because of his etnicity.
The Mayor of Novo Mesto, Gregor Macedoni called for the protection of victims of misdemeanors. He argues that the Šutar Act only allows seizure of the financial social assistance after three unsuccessful enforcements.
The Ombudsman and the Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy emphasize that the state must also respect constitutional boundaries and human rights while ensuring the security of citizens.
According to estimates, there are about a quarter of a million Romani people living in the Czech Republic, but only a portion of them speak Romani. About a third of the youngest generation speaks the language. Romani scholar Marie Podlahová Bořkovcová is trying to reverse this trend not only through teaching, but also through competitions, workshops and literature. “There are also those who are ashamed of speaking Romanes, because being a Rom among children today is not easy,” she says in an interview.
4 Roma and 1 Romni were elected to the Hungarian parliament last Sunday. Four of the five are members of the new Tisza Party of Peter Magyar.
The strange story of a Roma school in the Hungarian countryside named after an Indian buddhist figure.
The Romanian Romani actress and directo Alina Şerban was awarded a prize as young talent in the ‘Gypsy’ Culture Award from the Instituto de Cultura Gitana in Madrid.
Only through respect and mutual support can we build a more inclusive and strong state, where every person matters and no one is left behind. This was the message expressed by President Maia Sandu on the occasion of International Roma Day on April 8.
On Wednesday April 8th, in honour of International Roma Day, the Roma flag was raised on the Vilnius TV Tower.
Russia passed a new law condemning denial of the genocide of Soviet people, with up to three years of forced labour and fines.
Where’s the issue: Well, potentially for researchers who mention the jewish and Roma genocide without mentioning soviets, but foremost, anyone who damages monuments to victims of the Soviet occupation – in Russia and abroad – will be jailed for up to 4 years. So removing a “liberation” monument in the Baltics can get you in troubles…
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