Roma actively participate in the demands for the normal functioning of the state and state institutions, just as in some other historical periods of crisis they were active fighters for a free society.
The Alo.bg site is showcasing classified ads. Now, more and more Romnja are advertising their services as prostitutes in the Varna region.
This has prompted discussions: Some believe that this is a serious problem that should be investigated by the authorities, while others believe that the situation has been exaggerated. They believe that this is a form of exploitation and that such practices should be stopped and are demanding stricter control over online platforms.
Sceptics believe that this is part of a broader social problem and that the focus should not be only on the ethnicity of the women, but on the reasons that make them engage in such activity. “This is not a problem of just one community, but of the whole society. We need to work for integration and providing opportunities for everyone to prevent exploitation,” said one expert.
The near total stop in USAID grants affects quite a few NGOs in Slovenia. The article here details the ones affected in Pomurje.
Among those affected are also Roma projects, as well as areas such as strengthening democratic values, ensuring gender equality, respecting human rights, protecting the environment, eliminating the consequences of natural disasters, and providing humanitarian aid.
An interview with Lana Gazov, an activist who created founded the Kamiben profile, which connects Roma and non-Roma about the belief in Slovakia, that social benefits are tilted towards Roma and about her life as a Romni in Slovakia and abroad.
Three children died in a fire in a Roma settlement in Croatia.
25,000 Roma fled from Ukraine to Poland according to this article, which also states that “Most families were completely illiterate”… Both statements are definitively wrong. There are more Roma refugees, and many are well integrated.
Now four journalists and reporters have published a book describing their plight. “The War of Our Times” by Maria Kądzielska-Koper, Arleta Bojke, Michał Owerczuk and Tomasz Piechal is a collection of ten stories.
Fr. Stanisław Opocki, the National Roma Chaplain, prayed on March 6 for the Gypsy artist, Honorary Citizen of Gorzów Wielkopolski Edward Dębicki on his 90th birthday. The Jubilarian and his wife Ewa also participated in the Holy Mass celebrated in the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Edward Dębicki, a Roma activist is well known in Poland and beyond.
The Roma Road Show series of events, with which Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs Lucie Fuková is going to the regions, presents inspiring Roma projects focused on housing, community work, health, education or security. The aim is to support cooperation between Roma organizations, local governments and local leaders. The first meeting took place on March 5 in Šternberk, with further stops in Pardubice and Jihlava.
The Prague Forum for Roma History at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University invites you to a memorial service to honour the memory of the Roma and Sinti victims of the Holocaust
On Monday, March 10, 2025 at 3 p.m., a memorial service will be held in the park near the Old Square in Prague Ruzyne to mark the 82nd anniversary of the mass transport of Roma and Sinti from Ruzyne to the Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp.
In Mursko Središće, large infrastructure projects are underway that will greatly improve the quality of life of citizens and improve capacities for sports, education and social activities, the City reported. Among the most important projects are the energy renovation of the sports hall, the extension of the kindergarten and the construction of the Roma multicultural centre.
This last project, worth 566,564 euros, is financed from the state budget. The first phase of construction, which includes works “up to the roof”, is also in full swing. The Multicultural Centre will, according to the City, be an important gathering place for the Roma community and all citizens, providing a space for education, cultural and social activities. The purpose of the centre, they point out, is to enrich the social life of the community and encourage mutual understanding.
We are somewhat sceptical …
A new multipurpose centre in the Roma settlement of Dobruška vas (Škocjan municipality) replaced the old one that burned down last March. It includes a kindergarten. The article questions the use of these centres, and whether they are an effective mean to integrate Roma communities.
Public Defender of Rights (VOP) Róbert Dobrovodský considers the incorrect placement of children from marginalized Roma communities in the special education system to be an extremely serious violation of the right to education. According to him, this has irreversible negative consequences for their future, as well as negative consequences for society as a whole. The Ombudsman pointed this out in connection with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the case of Salay v. the Slovak Republic, in which it found a violation of the right to education and the prohibition of discrimination against a pupil of Roma origin by his placement in a special class for children with mild mental disabilities.
Unfortunately, placing Roma children in special schools happens still too often.
A fire in a Roma neighbourhood in Poznan, Poland, sent plumes of smoke through the city. Apparently, this was a fire in a garbage dump. The articles say that this often occurs, de-facto blaming Roma.
He is a Rom, an engineer, and an activist and influencer followed by thousands of people. At school, he was always reminded that he was just a gypsy. “Don’t go to college, Roma will only be hired for lower jobs anyway.” These are the words that begin one of the videos posted on. On social media, he proves with his story that Roma do not have to end up in factories for the lower grades, but can have big dreams and ambitions, just like he had. He achieved success despite growing up in poverty and encountering those who didn’t wish him well along the way.
An article about the systemic racism against Roma in Slovakia, especially in the school system and on court cases against it, the latest one being from a school in an excluded Roma community in the village of Stráne pod Tatrami.
The article also says that the current prime minister Robert Fico approved Milan Mazurek’s statements about “gypsy anti-social groups” and “zoological gardens”, to which he compared the Roma school, in 2019. He was convicted for his words, but still continues.
The Slovene education ministry is planning amendments to the Kindergarten Act, which aims to increase the inclusion of Roma in preschool education.
Now look at the picture used to illustrate this: This is typical of segregated schools, where stereotypes are the norm. Would this happen to other minorities?
The Slovene Minister of Labour, Family and Social Affairs Luka Mesec paid a working visit to Novo Mesto Mayor Gregor Macedoni. His ministry is coordinating the preparation of the legislative package to resolve Roma issues. They will try to complete the coordination on Thursday, he said in a press statement. They will then probably have another “intensive round of coordination” with mayors and others involved, and the package could go into public debate sometime by the end of March.
The package of laws is intended to encourage the inclusion of children in kindergartens and schools and improve living conditions.
Let’s see what comes out of it.
A commemoration was held on February 26th in Auschwitz on the 82nd anniversary of the first Roma transport to the camp.
An editorial by Kamila Plachetkov, a Czech Romni who tries to understand why some Roma are spreading hatred against Ukrainians in Czechia. She says: “I have been watching with great concern how hatred in the Czech Republic, which for many years was directed primarily against Roma, is turning against Ukrainians. But what shocks me most is the fact that some Roma are also participating in this hatred.”
On March 11th, in Berlin, Café Kyiv will be held in the Colloseum in Berlin. This years’ Roima program will also include a panel discussion “Roma in Ukraine: Fighters for Democracy, Justice & Diversity”.
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