Category Archives: Serbia

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Prejudice in Serbia

Published by:

Prejudice in Serbia

Zlata Petrović, a Serbian singer, openly discussed her Romani heritage and how she concealed it from her son until he was eight years old due to societal prejudices.

She emphasized the importance of being honest with friends and taught her son that he should not associate with those who judge him for his background.

Zlata revealed personal details about her family, including her mixed heritage and her late discovery of her father’s identity, while also planning for her family’s future by purchasing a new property.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Action Plan Serbia

Published by:

Action Plan Serbia

The Serbian government has established a Coordination Body to monitor the implementation of the Action Plan for minority rights for 2026-2029, aiming for better coordination among institutions.

Despite the positive signal of this initiative, past experiences suggest that creating new bodies does not guarantee significant improvements for minority communities.

The success of the Coordination Body will depend on its ability to translate decisions into concrete actions that improve education, employment, and reduce discrimination for minorities, particularly the Roma community.

We do have some doubts …

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Politics and Roma

Published by:

Politics and Roma

Srđan Šajn, president of the Roma Party, accused the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of exploiting Roma individuals living on social assistance by paying them to attend a rally on June 27.

He claimed that authorities distributed between 3,000 and 5,000 dinars to Roma from socially vulnerable neighborhoods to ensure their attendance, with evidence of this shared on social media.

Šajn criticized the government for relying on coerced individuals and marginalized groups to demonstrate power, while also noting that President Vučić failed to address other minority groups lacking political strength.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Raspberries

Published by:

Raspberries

The raspberry harvest season has led many Roma families from southern Serbia to travel to the western part of the country, known for raspberry production, with seasonal workers often traveling by bus.

Daily wages for raspberry pickers start at 5,000 dinars, with some workers earning more based on their performance, and employers typically provide accommodation and meals.

Seasonal work is crucial for many Roma families, who often move from one harvest to another throughout the summer, with the income supporting household expenses and family needs.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbian Politics

Published by:

Serbian Politics

Srđan Šajn, president of the Roma Party, criticized the government’s approach towards Roma and vulnerable groups, particularly regarding financial incentives for attending a political rally. He highlighted concerns about efforts to suppress opposition within the Roma community, suggesting that local criminals are involved in manipulating attendance for political appearances.

The statement reflects a broader issue of how marginalized groups are treated in political contexts, emphasizing the need for genuine representation rather than tokenism.

News Eastern Europe Serbia Slovenia

Slovenia: International Conference

Published by:

Slovenia: International Conference

An international conference in Murska Sobota, Slovenia, gathered representatives from Roma communities and organizations across Europe to discuss the progress and challenges faced by Roma people over the past two decades.

Dalibor Nakić, president of the National Council of the Roma National Minority, highlighted advancements in education and political participation for Roma in Serbia, attributing these to collaboration with state institutions and civil society.

The conference showcased successful integration examples, particularly the Pušča settlement, recognized for its developed infrastructure and community organization, serving as a model for local development for Roma in Slovenia.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbian Elections

Published by:

Serbian Elections

Upcoming elections in Serbia raise concerns about the political participation of national minorities, particularly the Roma community, which lacks political influence despite its size and significance. Roma in Serbia face numerous challenges, including unemployment, poverty, and inadequate representation in decision-making processes.

Despite these issues being highlighted during election campaigns, post-election results often fail to meet citizens’ expectations, prompting discussions about the need for greater political engagement from the Roma community.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbian Social Cards

Published by:

Serbian Social Cards

The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights highlighted concerns over Serbia’s social protection system and the implementation of the Social Card Law, which has led to over 60,000 citizens losing social assistance since its introduction in 2022.

The report emphasizes the negative impact on vulnerable groups, particularly the Roma community, whose informal incomes are misclassified, resulting in loss of benefits despite insufficient earnings for basic living.

Recommendations include improving worker protection mechanisms, enhancing transparency in digital systems, and ensuring that public services do not discriminate against the most vulnerable citizens.

France News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Serbia

The Ivanovitch

Published by:

The Ivanovitch

This article speaks about the Ivanovitch (in its French spelling, originally Ivanović), a Roma family from the Vojvodina who emigrated to France and became famous there. The father, Jarko, is credited with the composition of the Roma hymn “Djelem Djelem”. His two sons, Slobodan and Petro were famous musicians under the name “Les Tziganes Ivanovitch”. Petro married Natacha Bielenberg, a Russian Romni whose mother, Raja was a famous dancer in the Theatre Romen in Moscow.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Football and Roma

Published by:

Football and Roma

Two articles in the Serbian press about Roma footballers.  The articles highlight the significant contributions of Roma players in the history of the FIFA World Cup, mentioning legends like Hristo Stoichkov, Gheorghe Hagi, and Ricardo Quaresma.

They emphasise the achievements of these players, including Stoichkov’s pivotal role in Bulgaria’s fourth-place finish in 1994 and Quaresma’s pride in his Romani heritage.

The piece calls attention to the ongoing underrepresentation of Romani players in contemporary football, despite their historical impact on the sport.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma and Religion

Published by:

Roma and Religion

A new scientific study by sociologist Dragan Todorović explores the religious identity of Roma in Serbia, focusing on the growth of Protestant communities among them.

The study highlights the impact of religious changes on the daily lives, education, family relations, and social integration of the Roma community, particularly in southern Serbia.

Participants in the book promotion emphasized the importance of understanding the relationship between religion and social development to improve public policies for the vulnerable Roma community.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma History

Published by:

Roma History

Višnja Višnjić Milić won an award for her ethical reporting on Roma history and Holocaust remembrance, focusing on the suffering of Roma during World War II.

Her program “Građanin” highlighted the experiences of Roma in two concentration camps, showcasing journalistic integrity and high ethical standards. Milić emphasized the importance of creating understanding and dialogue about marginalized communities, viewing the award as motivation to continue her work against discrimination.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Unemployment in Serbia

Published by:

Unemployment in Serbia

Roma face high unemployment and discrimination, often leading them to work in the informal economy with low-paying jobs.

Marko, a 25-year-old from Kraljevo, struggled for three years to find a job after completing his hospitality education, facing consistent rejection due to prejudices against Roma. His experience reflects a broader issue in Serbia, where many Roma encounter similar barriers in the job market.

The articles discuss the broader challenges faced by Roma, including high unemployment rates, lack of access to education and healthcare, and the prevalence of working in the informal economy.

The BBC one emphasizes the need for targeted support and educational opportunities to improve the employment prospects of Roma, particularly women, who face additional discrimination and economic dependency.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Serbia

Hungary and Roma

Published by:

Hungary and Roma

Under the new leadership of Prime Minister Peter Mađar, Hungary is taking significant steps to address discrimination against the Roma community, marking a historic moment in the country’s political landscape.

The new government includes four Roma parliament members, with Krištijan Kesegi becoming the first Roma vice president, signaling a shift towards greater representation.

Despite the positive gestures, Roma leaders remain cautious and are waiting to see if these symbolic changes will lead to real policy reforms and improvements in their socio-economic conditions.

However, Aba-Horváth István, a Roma minority spokesperson in Hungary, expresses disappointment over the loss of prestige in parliamentary representation for the Roma community, feeling they missed a historic opportunity for a genuine voice in parliament.

He criticizes the lack of cooperation from Debrecen representatives and the prevailing divisive political culture, which he believes undermines collaboration and community building.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Work in Serbia

Published by:

Work in Serbia

The event “Days of Roma Careers” was held in Bor to improve employment opportunities for Roma and Romnja, focusing on self-employment and job training. It gathered representatives from institutions, civil society organizations, and the Roma community to discuss employment support programs and challenges faced by Roma in education and the labor market.

The project aims to enhance the social status of Roma through active employment inclusion, particularly targeting unemployed youth and vulnerable groups such as Romani women and persons with disabilities.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma Inclusion

Published by:

Roma Inclusion

A ceremony was held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Office for the Inclusion of Roma, which has worked to improve the position of the Roma community in Vojvodina for two decades. Key achievements over the past twenty years include better integration of Roma into society, increased access to education, employment, healthcare, and improved living conditions.

Officials emphasized the importance of continued support for the Roma community through various programs aimed at education, economic empowerment, and strengthening institutional support.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma Minority in Serbia

Published by:

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

Published by:

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 Serbia

Hate Speech in Serbia

Published by:

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.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Slobodan Lala Berberski

Published by:

Slobodan Lala Berberski

A festival is now celebrating him. Slobodan Lala Berberski was born on October 20, 1919 in Bečkerek, today’s Zrenjanin, where he completed elementary and high school. He began studying law, but as a member of the Communist Youth League of Yugoslavia, he was arrested in 1941. In 1941, he joined the People’s Liberation War of the people of Yugoslavia. He was a Romani writer and the first president of the World Roma Organization bweing elected as the first president of the World Roma Organization in the famous 1971 london meeting.

rroma.org
en_GBEN
de_DEDE fr_FRFR en_GBEN