Category Archives: News Eastern Europe

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Uštica

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Uštica

The International Day of Remembrance of Romani Victims of Genocide, Samudaripen, was commemorated at the Romani memorial cemetery in Uštica, Croatia, emphasizing the importance of remembering the suffering of Roma during World War II as part of European collective memory.

The commemoration included the opening of the ‘Amare, amale’ Peace and Friendship Park, dedicated to those who helped persecuted Roma, and highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Roma in education, employment, and public services.

Officials stressed that remembrance must extend beyond annual commemorations to include education and the fight against discrimination, warning that indifference can lead to tragedy, and that the memory of Samudaripen is a shared responsibility of Croatian and European history.

News Eastern Europe Poland

Auschwitz

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Auschwitz

Polish President Karol Nawrocki emphasized the importance of remembering the the Roma Genocide in the Holocaust during the 82nd anniversary of the liquidation of the Romani camp in Birkenau, condemning all forms of racism and extremism.

Survivors and community leaders called for the inclusion of Romani history in European school curricula to combat rising anti-Romani sentiment and discrimination.

The event highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by Romani people in Europe, including discrimination in education, healthcare, and employment, while reaffirming Poland’s commitment to remembering the victims of the Romani genocide.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Jasenovac / Uštice

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Jasenovac / Uštice

The International Day of Remembrance of the Romani Victims of Genocide (Samudaripen) was commemorated in Uštica near Jasenovac, with the opening of the ‘Amare, amale’ Peace and Friendship Park for Roma.

Minister of Labor Alen Ružić emphasized Croatia’s support for the culture of remembrance, stating that the suffering of the Roma must never be forgotten as it is essential for a society of tolerance and equality.

MP Veljko Kajtazi reminded attendees of the suffering of Roma during World War II and the importance of remembrance as a responsibility of the living.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Liberec

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Liberec

The City of Liberec commemorated Romani and Sinti victims of Nazi persecution by flying the Romani flag and emphasizing the importance of tolerance and respect in society.

The Liberec Regional Authority and local officials met with Romani community representatives to honor historical memory and promote dialogue against hate and racism.

The article highlights the tragic history of the Romani and Sinti during the Holocaust, including their deportation and murder in concentration camps, and calls for ongoing recognition and commemoration of this genocide.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Commemoration in Slovakia

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Commemoration in Slovakia

The Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Roma Holocaust emphasizes the importance of remembering historical events that should not be forgotten and should be included in history education.

The Ministry of Education in Slovakia highlighted that remembering the Roma Holocaust is a sign of respect for the victims and contributes to preserving historical memory, promoting a society based on respect and understanding.

The commemoration marks the events of August 2-3, 1944, when nearly 3,000 Roma were murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau, with an estimated half a million European Roma and Sinti killed during World War II, and around 1,000 Roma victims in Slovakia alone.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Commemoration in Serbia

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Commemoration in Serbia

The Topovske Šupe camp was the first concentration camp for Jews and Roma in occupied Belgrade during World War II, where 5,000 Jews and 1,500 Roma perished.

Krinka Vidaković Petrov, director of the Staro Sajmište Memorial Center, emphasized the need for an inclusive culture of remembrance, advocating for a memorial plaque for Roma victims alongside the existing one for Jews.

Igor Jovanović, deputy president of the Belgrade City Assembly, highlighted the significance of August 2 as a day to remember the suffering of the Roma people during the war, as recognized by the European Parliament in 2015.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Commemoration in Hungary

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Commemoration in Hungary

A memorial event for the Roma Holocaust was held in Hódmezővásárhely, attended by government, municipal, religious, and civil representatives, emphasizing the importance of combating hate and exclusion today.

Minister Zoltán Tarr highlighted the need to acknowledge past wrongs and promote social reconciliation during his speech.

Mayor Péter Márki-Zay noted that Hódmezővásárhely was the first city in Hungary to publicly commemorate the victims of the Roma Holocaust, warning that genocides result from long-term exclusionary processes.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation

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Relocation

Several more articles on the relocation of Slovak Roma to Hungary.

The Hungarian Ministry of Interior is investigating the relocation of Roma families from the Lubina settlement in Košice to Szalonna, focusing on the legality and organization of the real estate transactions involved.

Concerns from Szalonna residents regarding safety are being taken seriously, and the ministry plans to collaborate with Slovak authorities to clarify the situation.

The mayoral candidate for Košice, Miroslav Sabol, has filed a criminal complaint regarding the eviction of the illegal Lubina settlement, while the local mayor insists the process was not politically motivated and was organized through the non-profit sector.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Roma, History, and Croatia

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Roma, History, and Croatia

Several articles in the Croatian press about Roma history and the fact that “cigany” is a pejorative term. Some of the historical facts are to be debated … There have been quite a few ammends to Wikipedia that warrant some review.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia: Demolition

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Slovenia: Demolition

Amnesty International Slovenia and the Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy accuse the Novo Mesto municipality of failing to provide housing after the demolition of a woman’s home in a Roma settlement, citing violations of human rights and legal procedures. The municipality is enforcing demolition orders on illegal constructions in a Roma settlement, leading to protests from the Roma community.

It defends its actions, stating it was obligated to enforce a legal decision regarding the illegal structure and denies any wrongdoing regarding the individual’s rights.

A representative of the Roma community expresses frustration over the lack of support from the municipality, highlighting ongoing issues with access to basic utilities and the need for better living conditions. Roma leaders criticize the head of the Roma Association for inaction and demand legal protection and alternative housing for affected residents.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Filipovtsi

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Filipovtsi

The Roma neighbourhood of Filipovtsi in Sofia, Bulgaria, saw the destruction of several buldings (deemed illegal) and resulted in a plethora of articles in the Bulgarian press.

25 “illegal” agricultural structures were demolished by the municipality, leading to the removal of over 40 horses, which caused tension between residents and journalists.

Apparently some journalists were attacked and injured.

Local authorities emphasized that the operation targeted only illegal structures on private land and would not affect residential buildings.

Roma residents expressed concern over the removal of the horses, which they rely on for income, and dissatisfaction with the cleanup of debris left after the demolition.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Education

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Education

Gabriela Gáborová, a Roma mayor in Slovakia, emphasizes the importance of education for Roma children and has prioritized building a kindergarten in her village, Vtáčkovce, while addressing illegal housing issues.

She faces discrimination as a Roma woman in her role, having received extremist threats since taking office, but remains committed to her work and believes in judging individuals by their actions rather than their ethnicity or gender.

Gáborová highlights the ongoing challenges of illegal constructions and land ownership disputes in her community, advocating for legal housing solutions and integration of Roma families into society.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation – Continued

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Relocation – Continued

Two Roma families from Košice, Slovakia, moved to Szalonna, Hungary, sparking discussions about potential organized resettlement, although officials deny any mass relocation plans.

Local authorities in both Košice and Szalonna have stated that the families moved voluntarily and that no program exists to facilitate the relocation of disadvantaged residents to Hungary.

The situation has led to emergency meetings in Szalonna to pass a regulation aimed at responsible property sales and ensuring new residents respect local community values.

The Slovak government is investigating claims regarding the relocation of Roma families from a settlement in Košice to Hungary, with officials planning to meet affected families for further information.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia Memorial

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Slovenia Memorial

The Maribor synagogue held a memorial event for the International Day of Remembrance of the Roma and Sinti genocide, emphasizing the need to remember and warn against rising intolerance in Europe.

Jožek Horvat Muc highlighted that the genocide, which claimed around half a million Romani lives during WWII, is often overlooked in history, and that current discrimination and hate speech against Roma persist in many European countries.

Slovenian officials acknowledged progress in integrating the Romani community but stressed the need for ongoing dialogue and responsibility to combat prejudice and protect human rights.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Hungary Commemoration

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Hungary Commemoration

August 2 is recognized as the international memorial day for the Roma Genocide during the Holocaust, marking the liquidation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Roma camp in 1944, where over 3,000 Roma were killed by the SS.

A remembrance event will take place in Miskolc, Hungary, including a mass for the victims and speeches by notable figures, commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Roma Holocaust Memorial.

The Roma Holocaust remains a lesser-known aspect of World War II, with ongoing efforts to ensure its recognition and remembrance in historical narratives.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

School Dropouts

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School Dropouts

The city of Podgorica and the NGO Center for Roma Initiatives have published a book addressing the causes and consequences of Roma and Egyptian children’s dropout from primary education, authored by Fana Delija.

The book emphasizes the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and discrimination, urging policymakers to ensure that no child drops out of school and to promote social integration.

The publication coincides with the European Day of Remembrance for the Roma genocide during World War II, aiming to foster understanding and combat racial discrimination in Montenegro.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation Confusion

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Relocation Confusion

Mihály Dancs (from the Hungarian Roma Autonomy) discusses an agreement for the social department of the Košice municipality to visit families in Szalonna to understand their situation and help them stay if they wish. From the article it is not clear whether they have already been relocated or the relocation is intended.

He expresses doubts about the feasibility of families commuting to school in Košice due to language barriers and long travel distances, which could lead to conflicts within the local Roma community.

Dancs emphasizes the need to support the Roma families from Košice while ensuring that tensions do not arise within the Hungarian Roma community.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation Update

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Relocation Update

The Slovak city of Košice is destroying a Roma settlement. Some of the families seem to have been relocated to Szalonna, Hungary.

The mayor of Encs urged residents not to sell properties to prevent the town from becoming a site for these relocations, labeling the situation as a ‘ghetto’ issue.

Political tensions are rising, with right-wing parties like Mi Hazánk opposing the influx of Romani individuals, citing concerns about their integration and criminal backgrounds.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

NGOs in Montenegro

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NGOs in Montenegro

The NGO “Mladi Romi Podgorice” received funding for the project “One Country, Many Stories: An Intercultural Journey of Youth through Montenegro” aimed at enhancing intercultural dialogue and understanding between Roma, Egyptian, and majority youth in Montenegro.

The other article discusses the financial support of 120,000 euros provided to the NGO Elita Plus, co-founded by Astrit Hodža, the Secretary of the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Various projects funded by the ministry over the years are detailed, highlighting significant amounts awarded to Elita Plus, which has led to calls for an investigation into possible misuse of public office.

The NGO Network from the north of Montenegro has urged authorities to examine the circumstances surrounding the funding and the involvement of Hodža, who has been in office since June 2022.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Roma Teachers

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Roma Teachers

The shortage of teachers is a significant challenge for the educational system, but a new initiative is helping young people find careers in education.

The initiative “Teacher in My Community” has enabled twenty young individuals of Roma descent to graduate and many are now working in education.

The program identifies high-achieving students in small towns, supports their education, and facilitates internships in kindergartens to ensure they are employed after graduation.

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