Salih Saitović, president of the Democratic Union of Roma, emphasized the need for a change in how political parties view the Roma community.
He stated that Roma should not be seen merely as a voting bloc that politicians only engage with during election periods.
The call for recognition and respect for the Roma community’s contributions and needs was highlighted.
The city of Pirot has been selected as the pilot city for the regional project “Arakhel,” aimed at improving protection and support for Romani women victims of gender-based and domestic violence.
The project, led by the Bibija Romani Women’s Center in partnership with civil society organizations from Greece, North Macedonia, Romania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, is supported by the European Union.
Key goals include establishing a specialized center for comprehensive support for Romani women facing violence and enhancing trust in institutions to encourage reporting of violence and seeking help.
A video from Šabac shows a woman physically assaulting a Roma boy while using racist insults, sparking outrage on social media in Serbia.
The attacker, K. S., admitted to the incident but downplayed it, claiming she only slapped the boy twice after he was allegedly rude.
The victim’s mother reported the incident to authorities, highlighting previous aggression from the same woman, and called for institutional action to prevent such incidents in the future.
The event “Days of Roma Music” was organized by the Roma Cultural Center in Pančevo to promote and preserve the rich musical heritage of the Roma minority.
The event featured performances by talented children from Vojvodina, highlighting the importance of passing on traditional Roma music to younger generations.
Officials emphasized the significance of such events in fostering cultural diversity and mutual respect, with hopes that it will become a key cultural event in Vojvodina.
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.
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 …
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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