Category Archives: Serbia

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma in Serbia

Published by:

Roma in Serbia

The president of the Roma Party, Srđan Šajn, criticized a recent rally by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in Belgrade, claiming it incited violence against socially vulnerable groups, including Roma.

Šajn alleged that many attendees were pressured to attend the rally and were given shirts to conceal their true social status.

He urged socially vulnerable individuals, including Roma, to vote for freedom and equality in the upcoming elections, emphasizing the importance of their voices in achieving social justice.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbian Elections

Published by:

Serbian Elections

Srđan Šajn, President of the Roma Party, stated today that the party would support the “Students Win” (Studenti pobeđuju) electoral list in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Almost all anti-regime parties have supported the student list, indicating a collective effort towards establishing a rule of law that amplifies the voices of marginalized groups, including the Roma community.

The decision to support the student list is framed as a matter of honor and responsibility, emphasizing the importance of integrity in political representation.

The statement highlights a commitment to defending the dignity of Roma in Serbia, advocating for their right to vote without compromising their values.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Human Rights

Published by:

Human Rights

The House of Roma Culture (HORC) invites young people and the Roma community to participate in an event focused on human rights and the rights of national minorities, scheduled for October 2, 2026, in Belgrade.

The event aims to educate young Roma about their rights and encourage their active participation in democratic processes, featuring workshops on electoral rights and minority rights.

HORC emphasizes the importance of young people knowing their rights and being involved in discussions about their future, while also calling on experienced Roma activists to share their knowledge and experiences.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

National Council of Minorities

Published by:

National Council of Minorities

The Republic Electoral Commission announced the electoral list “United Roma for a United Serbia” led by Dejan Lajković for the upcoming elections for the National Council of the Roma National Minority, scheduled for November 8.

Marina Đukanović, a member of the RIK, stated that the electoral list was received yesterday and that 35 members will be elected to the national council.

According to the temporary resolution from the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, at least 610 verified statements are needed, which is one percent of the 61,030 registered voters on the special electoral roll.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma Rights

Published by:

Roma Rights

Salih Saitović, president of the Democratic Union of Roma, emphasized the need for a systematic and long-term fight for the rights of the Roma community, advocating for international recognition and support.

In a statement regarding the “Parade of Identity and Solidarity” in Niš, he questioned the visibility and representation of Roma in discussions about marginalized groups.

Saitović called for the establishment of an international institution to represent Roma interests, arguing that the fight against discrimination should extend beyond declarations to include real political and legal mechanisms.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Romani Politics

Published by:

Romani Politics

The Civil Movement of Roma in Serbia announced its decision to withdraw from negotiations for a joint electoral list with the Union of Roma in Serbia for the upcoming parliamentary elections on October 25.

The negotiations, which began on September 5, included the Roma Party, the Democratic Union of Roma, the Union of Roma in Serbia, and the Civil Movement of Roma in Serbia.

The Civil Movement stated that while there was initial agreement on the idea of a joint electoral performance, subsequent discussions failed due to disagreements over proposals made by the Union of Roma in Serbia.

News Eastern Europe Serbia Slovenia

So Vakeres?

Published by:

So Vakeres?

The Romani show “So vakeres – Kaj govoriš?” airs twice a month and is produced by Romani journalists in Serbia.

Approximately 500,000 Roma live unofficially in Serbia, striving for greater equality through various organizations and media.

The international project “Roma Soul Food” preserves Romani memories and stories through culinary traditions, including a cooking competition for traditional Romani dishes, which symbolizes the activation and integration of Roma into society.

News Eastern Europe Romania Serbia

Cultural Centre

Published by:

Cultural Centre

A new cultural center dedicated to Romani culture, language, and traditions was inaugurated in Belgrade, Serbia, attended by Dorin Cioabă, president of one of the current three International Romani Union.

The Romani Cultural Center aims to serve as a meeting point for the community, promoting education, dialogue, and the preservation of Romani identity.

Cioabă emphasized the importance of collaboration among Romani organizations, public institutions, and civil society to maintain Romani culture and traditions.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

National Council Elections

Published by:

National Council Elections

On November 8, Roma voters will elect 35 members of the National Council of the Roma National Minority, with a focus on who will truly represent their interests over the next four years.

The National Council has legally defined responsibilities in education, culture, and language use, emphasizing the need for concrete actions to improve the situation of the Roma community.

The pre-election campaign must address specific questions about candidates’ proposals and accountability to the Roma community, beyond just the voting process.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma Politics

Published by:

Roma Politics

The Democratic Union of Roma (DUR) has decided to withdraw from coalition talks with the Union of Roma of Serbia for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The decision was made with difficulty and is not intended to oppose the Union of Roma of Serbia or its representatives.

DUR aimed to unify the Roma political scene in Serbia to present a stronger, united front for better representation in the National Assembly.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Lawsuit

Published by:

Lawsuit

The Serbian Roma Party has filed a lawsuit against Dragan J. Vučićević, editor of Informer TV, for discrimination and hate speech after he referred to Roma as “cable thieves” in a broadcast.

The lawsuit argues that associating an entire ethnic group with criminal activity is discriminatory and calls for stronger legal protections against such actions.

The Roma Party is advocating for changes in discrimination laws to ensure that media figures face appropriate consequences for spreading discriminatory messages.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma Politics and Serbian Elections

Published by:

Roma Politics and Serbian Elections

Roma have been waiting for over two decades for authentic representation in the Serbian Assembly and institutions that affect their lives. Historically, Roma have been viewed merely as votes for other political parties, without recognition of their own political capacity.

Movements and organizations representing the Roma community have decided to run in the elections as a coalition. The agreement, set to be signed at 2:00 PM, is being signed by the Union of Roma of Serbia, the Democratic Union of Roma, and the Civic Movement of Roma. They state that this alliance is crucial for the Roma to gain authentic representatives and to ensure the Roma community is no longer viewed merely as a reliable source of votes for other political parties.

Mihajlović emphasizes the need for the Roma community to elect their own representatives in the upcoming elections, rather than having them chosen by others.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Romani Politics

Published by:

Romani Politics

Srđan Šajn, president of the Roma Party, stated that his party is unwilling to accept conditions set by the Union of Roma of Serbia regarding coalition formation for upcoming parliamentary elections.

The Union insisted that their president, Miloš Mihajlović, must be the lead candidate, which Šajn criticized as disrespectful to the Roma community.

Šajn proposed that the top positions on any joint list should not be held by current party leaders, advocating for new, independent candidates instead.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Only?

Published by:

Only?

Over 130,000 citizens of Serbia identified as Roma in the last census, but their political influence has not been realized, leading to a call for concrete political representation in the upcoming elections on October 25. This number is definitively an understatement, as in most censuses where Roma tend not to state their ethinicity.

The article emphasizes the need for Roma voters to demand specific commitments from political parties regarding employment, education, healthcare, and anti-discrimination measures, rather than vague promises.

The legitimacy of Roma political representation is questioned, highlighting the importance of authentic minority lists versus candidates from larger parties, and the need for accountability post-elections.

Serbia

Mythology …

Published by:

Mythology …

According to the article, in Romani culture, women’s skirts held significant power, capable of shaming men for life with just a touch, rooted in complex ideas of purity and impurity. So far so good.

The article continues by stating that female infidelity was punishable by death, while male infidelity faced milder consequences, leading women to use the ‘impurity’ of their skirts as a means of revenge against unfaithful husbands. This is total nonsense. No death penalties are ever recorded in traxditional tribunals (except in a few cases for collaborators after the war.

The next statement is also a misinterpretation. The tradition of using skirts as a form of punishment highlights a paradox where women, despite being seen as ritually impure, wielded a powerful tool against male infidelity, reflecting resilience within patriarchal constraints. Women are not ritually impure, only during menses. And this has nothing to do on male infidelity …

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Suspicious?

Published by:

Suspicious?

The article states that Roma from the Bujanovac municipality can seek assistance from the office of Vučić’s Roma team for a one-time financial aid of 6,000 dinars provided by the Serbian government.

The office is located on Karađorđa Petrovića Street and offers help with applications and information regarding the aid. Ibro Idić encourages interested citizens to visit the office or contact him and his team for assistance.

Isn’t that supsivious, just shortly before the elections???

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbian Elections

Published by:

Serbian Elections

According to the articles, Roma in Serbia will have the opportunity to elect authentic political representatives in the upcoming parliamentary elections, following a meeting in Belgrade where four political organizations agreed to unite their efforts.

The agreement emphasizes that the common interest of Roma should take precedence over party and personal differences, aiming to restore their political voice in the National Assembly after nearly two decades.

The initiative is seen as a significant step towards consolidating Roma political power in Serbia, with plans for further activities to connect party structures and prepare for the elections.

Well, we’re not sure about that. Roma representatives (or any minority representative) in a large parliament, have no say, unless, there is a very tight vote outcome.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbian Roma Mufti

Published by:

Serbian Roma Mufti

The Islamic Community of Serbia has appointed Alija ef. Dermaku, an imam from Bujanovac, as the first mufti for the Roma community in Serbia and the diaspora.

Dermaku’s role will encompass overseeing Roma Muslims both in Serbia and abroad, reflecting his long-standing involvement with the community and understanding of their culture.

This appointment is significant as it marks a shift in representation for Roma Muslims within the Islamic Community of Serbia, highlighting the community’s presence in various regions, including northern Kosovo. This latter statement is far from anodine and is politically loaded. Northern Kosovo Roma – mostly Gurbeti – while predominantly moslem, are more related to their other Gurbeti brethren in further South than any others in Serbia proper.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbian Elections

Published by:

Serbian Elections

A meeting in Belgrade resulted in an agreement among four political organizations representing the Roma community to collaborate in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The goal is to ensure that the Roma community has authentic political representation in the Serbian Assembly after nearly two decades without it.

The president of the Union of Roma of Serbia emphasized the importance of offering the Roma citizens a choice of political options that genuinely understand their issues.

Let’s see what it brings… In several cases, Roma votes were bought on behalf of the ruling party…

News Eastern Europe Serbia

School Segregation

Published by:

School Segregation

Approximately 250 Roma students attend the Vuk Karadžić Elementary School in Niš, highlighting the issue of educational segregation as nearly all students belong to the same ethnic community.

Despite various initiatives, the long-standing problem of educational segregation persists, with the school’s location near a Roma settlement contributing to the high percentage of Roma students.

The focus should be on ensuring desegregation and equal educational opportunities for all children, rather than simply relocating Roma students from the school.

rroma.org
en_GBEN
de_DEDE fr_FRFR en_GBEN