Category Archives: News Eastern Europe

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovakia and Hate Speech

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Slovakia and Hate Speech

ECRI’s report praises Slovakia’s new National Framework to combat radicalization, focusing on hate speech online and support for Romani children in schools and healthcare.

Despite improvements, the report highlights ongoing issues such as hate speech against LGBTI individuals and Roma, and the need for better police resources and education for Romani children.

ECRI calls for stronger police structures to address hate crimes, better healthcare access for marginalized groups, and legal recognition of gender identity without unreasonable requirements.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Magyar and Roma

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Magyar and Roma

Under Viktor Orban, the Roma community faced severe discrimination and marginalization, but the new Prime Minister Peter Magyar is making efforts to address antiziganism and include Roma voices in politics.

A significant moment occurred during the inaugural session of the National Assembly when Roma children performed their anthem, symbolizing a shift in political representation for the Roma community.

Magyar’s government has pledged to end discrimination against Roma, improve their living conditions, and reform public works programs, but skepticism remains about the sincerity and effectiveness of these promises.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma Minority in Serbia

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Roma Minority in Serbia

Roma are officially the third largest minority in Serbia, yet they face significant challenges in their daily lives.

In recent decades, there has been a gradual improvement in their social standing, with efforts to move away from marginalization.

Young graphic designer Veselj Saliji exemplifies this progress through his award-winning work, showcasing the potential and talent within the Roma community.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Young Roma in Serbia

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Young Roma in Serbia

Salih Saitović, president of the Democratic Union of Roma, discussed the challenges faced by young Roma in Vranje, emphasizing the lack of equal opportunities rather than a lack of will or potential among the youth.

UNDP, World Bank, and European Commission data reveal that only 27% of young Roma aged 18-24 are engaged in education, employment, or training, compared to 58% of their non-Roma peers, with young Romnja facing even greater challenges.

Saitović calls for increased investment in education, training programs, and employment support for young Roma, stressing the importance of providing equal opportunities to prevent losing a generation of potential contributors to society.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Roma and Romanians

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Roma and Romanians

Lucian Dan Teodorovici’s novel “Pe unde înoată urechinii” explores the complex and often avoided theme of racism, particularly the problematic coexistence between ethnic Romanians and Roma in a rural community during the 1980s. The story is narrated through the eyes of an eight-year-old boy who witnesses a tragic event involving the accidental death of a Romanian child, leading to a cover-up by the local community, highlighting themes of truth, perception, and societal division. The novel presents a nuanced portrayal of childhood innocence and the harsh realities of social hierarchies, ultimately revealing the darker aspects of human nature, such as indifference and moral relativism.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Milena Hübschmanova

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Milena Hübschmanova

An article in the Slovak press about Milena Hübschmannová, born on June 10, 1933. She significantly influenced the lives of several generations of Roma, instilling pride in their identity and leaving a lasting impact on Czech and global culture.

She began working with Roma communities in the 1950s, encouraging written expression and supporting Roma literature through editing, translating, and publishing efforts.

Hübschmannová was instrumental in establishing Romani studies at Charles University in Prague, elevating the Romani language and culture to an academic discipline and fostering close relationships with Roma personalities.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Hungary and Roma

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Hungary and Roma

Two articles concerning Roma in Hungary.

The first one discusses the lack of Roma representation in the Hungarian government, which has disappointed the Roma community, and highlights the need for genuine inclusion in political processes. Activist Horváth Aladár emphasizes the importance of recognizing Roma as equal citizens and the potential for change under the new government led by Magyar Péter. The article also critiques the historical neglect of Roma issues in Hungary and the need for substantial reforms to improve their social and economic conditions.

In the second second one Keno Verseck questions whether the situation for Roma in Hungary will improve under the new government, led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who is sending a historical signal against anti-Roma sentiment. Magyar has a knack for symbolic politics, having previously highlighted Roma culture during significant political events, which resonated with the European Roma community. The new Prime Minister aims to go beyond mere gestures and is expected to take more substantial actions regarding Roma issues.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Giving Birth in Hungary

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Giving Birth in Hungary

Reports of humiliation, threats, and vulnerability are not uncommon in the birth stories of Roma women. An initiative in Alsózsolca is trying to provide an answer to this: doulas trained from local Roma women accompany pregnant women. An interview with doula Rita Kishonthy-Kardos, the professional leader of the EMMA Association’s community companions program, about obstetric violence, racism, and how doulaship can become community support and a tool for self-assertion.

Bosnia News Eastern Europe

Integration in Bosnia

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Integration in Bosnia

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.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Racism in Slovakia

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Racism in Slovakia

According to the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), which is a body of the Council of Europe (CoE), further measures are needed in the field of combating hate speech and hate crimes, in promoting equality and access to rights, as well as the integration of Roma and LGBTI communities.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia, Kindergartens, and Roma

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Slovenia, Kindergartens, and Roma

The municipalities of Šentjernej, Škocjan and Šmarješke Toplice are facing challenges in integrating Roma children into kindergartens. Despite the large number of Roma families, the enrollment of Roma children in kindergartens is very low, which raises questions about the success of integration efforts. It seems that the problems with the admission of children have been successfully addressed in the aforementioned municipalities, but we still rarely encounter Roma children in kindergartens.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Hate Speech in Serbia

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Hate Speech in Serbia

Srđan Šajn, president of the Roma Party, condemned a graffiti in Obrovac that read “Roms, be afraid,” calling it an open incitement of hate and discrimination against the Roma community. He criticized Roma officials from the ruling Serbian Progressive Party for using the incident for political propaganda instead of condemning hate speech and protecting Roma interests.

Šajn highlighted the government’s weak response to anti-Roma incidents, suggesting that the graffiti reflects a broader atmosphere of intolerance and extremism fostered by the authorities and their allies in the media.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Renting a Flat

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Renting a Flat

A Roma family in Hungary faces discrimination in the rental market, highlighting the challenges they encounter when landlords reject them based on their ethnic background.

Research shows that Roma applicants require significantly more attempts to secure viewings compared to non-Roma, and they often face higher rental prices due to perceived biases.

Despite existing anti-discrimination laws, societal attitudes remain largely negative towards Roma, with many Hungarians condoning discriminatory practices in housing.

Germany News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Romania

Romanian Roma in Germany

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Romanian Roma in Germany

The article discusses the integration challenges faced by Romanian Roma in Germany, emphasizing the need for tailored public policies that address their specific vulnerabilities and circumstances. It highlights the differences between the historical Sinti community and recent Roma migrants from Eastern Europe, stressing the importance of recognizing these distinctions in policy-making. The author calls for collaborative efforts between Germany and Romania to enhance educational and mentoring programs, aiming for genuine inclusion and dignity for the Roma community.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Kindergarten and Roma

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Kindergarten and Roma

An article about the fact that there are almost no Roma in Kkindergarten in a Slovenian region that has several Roma settlements. According to the article:

Although there are many Roma people living in the municipality of Šentjernej, and around 70 Roma children attend primary school, this is not reflected in kindergarten enrolment. According to the principal, not a single Roma child currently attends the kindergarten.

“Despite our efforts, we have not managed to collect enough applications for a shorter program funded by the state and intended for children who do not attend kindergarten before entering school.”

News Eastern Europe Ukraine

Odessa: Exhibition

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Odessa: Exhibition

The exhibition “Invisible. Resilience: The Past and Present of the Roma” explores the history and culture of the Roma people and highlights the Roma community’s contribution to modern society.

The exhibition consists of two thematic sections, each focusing on the past and present of the Roma people. Particular attention is paid to identity as a form of resistance and the preservation of cultural heritage.

The event was organized by the ARKA Youth Agency for Roma Culture Advocacy in partnership with the Babyn Yar National Historical and Memorial Reserve, the Odesa Holocaust Research Center, and the Ukrainian Holocaust Research Center. The project was implemented with the support of the German Embassy in Ukraine and the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Roma Vakeren

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Roma Vakeren

The Czech radio show “Roma vakeren” [Roma speak] talks about this year’s Khamoro World Roma Festival which revived the tradition of Roma storytelling and commemorated the legacy of the exceptional Věra Bílá. And also visit Slovakia, where the creative writing competition in the Romani language Avka, sar miri daj vakerelas / Just like my mother spoke took place.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Romanes in Slovenia

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Romanes in Slovenia

One of the long-standing representatives of the Romani community is Slobodan Nežirović from Šaleška dolina. He pays special attention to the preservation of the Romani language, culture, and tradition, and the inclusion of Roma in education, employment, and public life. He is also the author and editor of several publications in the field of the Romani language, poetry, fairy tales, and folk traditions.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Šutar Act

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Šutar Act

Zvonko Golobič, president of the Association for the Development of the Roma Community from Črnomelj, Slovenia, said that after 100 days of the so-called Šutar Act, representatives of the Roma settlements of southeastern Slovenia assessed that the situation of the Roma community had drastically deteriorated.

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