On why using the term Zigeuner (Gypsy) is racist.
– „Zigeuner ist rassistisch“: Sinti und Roma wehren sich gegen „Zigeuner“-Begriff. In: Tele Bärn. 08.04.2019. https://www.telebaern.tv/telebaern-news/zigeuner-ist-rassistisch-sinti-und-roma-wehren-sich-gegen-zigeuner-begriff-134318036 [link-preview url=”https://www.telebaern.tv/telebaern-news/zigeuner-ist-rassistisch-sinti-und-roma-wehren-sich-gegen-zigeuner-begriff-134318036″]
An interview in Switzerland on why the name Zigeuner should not be used.
– https://www.facebook.com/telebaern/videos/vb.178943478804405/1318587358283910/?type=2&theater [link-preview url=”https://www.facebook.com/telebaern/videos/vb.178943478804405/1318587358283910/?type=2&theater”]
The canton of Berne is setting aside quite a bit of money to create a permanent camping site for travellers in Villeroltigen. Good, except that they segregate between “Swiss” and “Foreign” travellers. And the SVP, the populist right wing party already stated that they would do a referendum on the topic.
– 3,3 Millionen Franken für ausländische Fahrende. In: Tele Bärn. 13.03.2019. https://www.telebaern.tv/telebaern-news/33-millionen-franken-fuer-auslaendische-fahrende-134205439?utm_source=shared-facebook&fbclid=IwAR2P9OnGYhvOIxFBNmx9nCOzjU1tFOfRMqlH2qAhVGUrkRe2fSWMUmI7DLk [link-preview url=”https://www.telebaern.tv/telebaern-news/33-millionen-franken-fuer-auslaendische-fahrende-134205439?utm_source=shared-facebook&fbclid=IwAR2P9OnGYhvOIxFBNmx9nCOzjU1tFOfRMqlH2qAhVGUrkRe2fSWMUmI7DLk”]
An article on the perennial Swiss issue of sites for travellers with a mention of the fact that Roma are still not recognised in that country (but Sinti are) …
– Mehr Halteplätze für Fahrende. In: Der Bote. 19.02.2019. https://www.bote.ch/nachrichten/schweiz/mehr-halteplaetze-fuer-fahrende;art46447,1157032 [link-preview url=”https://www.bote.ch/nachrichten/schweiz/mehr-halteplaetze-fuer-fahrende;art46447,1157032″]
A recourse has been submitted to the European Court of Human Rights against the interdiction and criminalisation of begging in the canton Vaud and the city of Lausanne.
– Recours déposé à Strasbourg contre l’interdiction vaudoise de la mendicité. In: RTS. 01.02.2019. https://www.rts.ch/info/regions/vaud/10185827-recours-depose-a-strasbourg-contre-l-interdiction-vaudoise-de-la-mendicite.html
– Vaud: recours à Strasbourg contre l’interdiction de mendier. In: Radio Lac. 01.02.2019. https://www.radiolac.ch/actualite/vaud-recours-a-starsbourg-contre-linterdiction-de-mendier/ [link-preview url=”https://www.rts.ch/info/regions/vaud/10185827-recours-depose-a-strasbourg-contre-l-interdiction-vaudoise-de-la-mendicite.html “]
The Swiss government is planning to spend half a million dollars annually to better protect minorities including Roma from militant extremism and terrorism…
That’s pretty much saying we don’t put any money into this …
– Minority groups to benefit from better protection. In: Swiss Info. 30.01.2019. https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/consultation-plans_minority-groups-to-benefit-from-better-protection/44719558 [link-preview url=”https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/consultation-plans_minority-groups-to-benefit-from-better-protection/44719558″]
The co-head of the young SVP – the rightist populist party in Switzerland – who was condemned for racism is a policeman. He was transferred to an internal department. Actually, he should be dismissed immediately as soon as the sentence is definitive.
– Spahr wegen «Zigeuner»-Plakat versetzt. In: 20 Minutes. 21.01.2019. https://www.20min.ch/schweiz/bern/story/Basler-Polizist-wegen-Zigeuner-Plakat-verurteilt-31053323?fbclid=IwAR1VhliD-xmMr5oA9aWhjixom2aqx3TreiquNodIBn1gIVdVbumWZCn3yl8
– Basler Polizei versetzt Jung-SVPler Adrian Spahr. In: Blick. 21.01.2019. https://www.blick.ch/news/politik/kein-ausgang-mehr-nach-zigeuner-plakat-basler-polizei-versetzt-jung-svpler-adrian-spahr-id15129197.html
– Nach Zigeuner-Hetze: Basler Polizist wurde von der Front abgezogen. In: Argauer Zeitung. 21.01.2019. https://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/basel/basel-stadt/nach-zigeuner-hetze-basler-polizist-wurde-von-der-front-abgezogen-133988832
– Nach Zigeuner-Hetze: Basler Polizist wurde von der Front abgezogen. In: Basler Zeitung. 21.01.2019. https://www.bzbasel.ch/basel/basel-stadt/nach-zigeuner-hetze-basler-polizist-wurde-von-der-front-abgezogen-133988832 [link-preview url=”https://www.20min.ch/schweiz/bern/story/Basler-Polizist-wegen-Zigeuner-Plakat-verurteilt-31053323?fbclid=IwAR1VhliD-xmMr5oA9aWhjixom2aqx3TreiquNodIBn1gIVdVbumWZCn3yl8 “]
More reaction on the condemnation of two youth leader of the rightist populist SVP party in Switzerland. The politicians are appealing…
– «Zigeuner»-Plakat war rassistisch. In: Blick. 14.01.2019. https://www.blick.ch/news/politik/junge-svpler-verurteilt-zigeuner-plakat-war-rassistisch-id15114343.html?fbclid=IwAR0if0GfbvEKO6BfmFkiWEazOidJZKrcsYLT0zk_1h-61oj_R5QJbdUpBL4
– JSVP zieht Gerichtsurteil an Obergericht weiter. In: 20 Minuten (CH). 14.01.2019. https://www.20min.ch/schweiz/bern/story/JSVP-Chefs-vor-Gericht-wegen–Zigeuner–Inserat-30478043?fbclid=IwAR3q0z8Ym5LKnpUroVrnzemVonUGjzKsXD19sYiIJsFUmKG-t7Ks-IDlfIA
– Swiss court rules ‘foreign gypsy’ cartoon was racist. In: The Local (Switzerland). 15.01.2019. https://www.thelocal.ch/20190115/gypsy-cartoon-published-by-youth-wing-of-swiss-peoples-party-ruled-racist
– Young Swiss politicians convicted for ‘gypsy’ poster. In: Swissinfo. 15.01.2019. https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/racism-trial_young-swiss-politicians-convicted-for–gypsy–poster/44681418 [link-preview url=”https://www.blick.ch/news/politik/junge-svpler-verurteilt-zigeuner-plakat-war-rassistisch-id15114343.html?fbclid=IwAR0if0GfbvEKO6BfmFkiWEazOidJZKrcsYLT0zk_1h-61oj_R5QJbdUpBL4 “]
There seems to be change in the air. For the first time, politicians were condemned for racism against Roma. In this case, the leaders of the youth fraction of the SVP, the rightist populist party in Switzerland were condemned for a cartoon against Roma travellers.
A first, and hopefully, this will slow down these kind of actions.
– «Kritik ist erlaubt, aber mit Augenmass». In: Der Bund. 14.01.2019. https://www.derbund.ch/bern/kanton/chefs-der-jungen-svp-bern-wegen-wahlplakat-verurteilt/story/20109238
– Roma-Organisation und GfbV begrüssen Verurteilung der Jungen SVP Bern wegen Rassismus. In: GfbV. 14.01.2019. https://www.gfbv.ch/de/medien/medienmitteilungen/junge-svp/ [link-preview url=”https://www.derbund.ch/bern/kanton/chefs-der-jungen-svp-bern-wegen-wahlplakat-verurteilt/story/20109238 “]
You can be Swiss and a victim of racism… In fact it is quite prevalent in the country.
– Rassismus trotz Integration: Wenn Schweizer diskriminiert warden. In: Limmattaler Zeitung. 05.01.2019. https://www.limmattalerzeitung.ch/limmattal/region-limmattal/rassismus-trotz-integration-wenn-schweizer-diskriminiert-werden-133920822 [link-preview url=”https://www.limmattalerzeitung.ch/limmattal/region-limmattal/rassismus-trotz-integration-wenn-schweizer-diskriminiert-werden-133920822″]
Basel opened a new camping site for travellers recently, and thus closed the old provisional site. Well, not quite … Seems that some travellers were allowed to stay there.
– Zoff um ehemaligen Fahrenden-Platz. In: Tele Basel. 03.01.2019. https://telebasel.ch/2019/01/03/zoff-um-ehemaligen-fahrenden-platz/ [link-preview url=”https://telebasel.ch/2019/01/03/zoff-um-ehemaligen-fahrenden-platz/”]
An interview of Stefan Heinichen on Roma, Switzerland, and Racism.
– “Die Behörden haben Angst vor den Roma, weil sie nichts über sie wissen”. In: Swissinfo. 23.12.2018. https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/gesellschaft/anerkennung-von-minderheiten_-die-behoerden-haben-angst-vor-den-roma–weil-sie-nichts-ueber-sie-wissen-/44608000
– «Les autorités ont peur car elles ne savent rien sur les Roms». In: Swissinfo. 23.12.2018. https://www.swissinfo.ch/fre/societe/reconnaissance-des-minorités_-les-autorités-ont-peur-car-elles-ne-savent-rien-sur-les-roms-/44575924 [link-preview url=”https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/gesellschaft/anerkennung-von-minderheiten_-die-behoerden-haben-angst-vor-den-roma–weil-sie-nichts-ueber-sie-wissen-/44608000 “]
The EU doesn’t approve the way Switzerland is treating its Roma minority. The EU reciew of the 4th Report by Switzeralnd on the Framework Agreement for the Protection of National Minorities is scathing on Switzerland. Amongst others, it says Switzerland needs to take concrete actions against racism and hate speech; improve the infrastructure for travellers; cease discrimination of foreign Roma travellers; tell Switzerland that their criteria for recognition of the Roma minority need to be reviewed; and asks the country to stop racial profiling…
Welcome to the “cradle of democracy”…
The Geselschaft für Bedrohte Völker Press communiqué: https://mailchi.mp/0d3d78fe0120/medienmitteilung-gutachten-des-europarats-zeigt-handlungsbedarf-zur-situation-von-jenischen-sinti-und-roma?e=107f67f2cd
And the EU Report: https://www.eda.admin.ch/dam/eda/de/documents/aussenpolitik/voelkerrecht/4-gutachten-schweiz-schutz-nationaler-minderheiten-31.05.18_de.pdf
And the whole overview from the Swiss administration: https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/de/home/aussenpolitik/voelkerrecht/internationale-uebereinkommenzumschutzdermenschenrechte/rahmenuebereinkommen-europarat-schutz-nationaler-minderheiten.html [link-preview url=”https://mailchi.mp/0d3d78fe0120/medienmitteilung-gutachten-des-europarats-zeigt-handlungsbedarf-zur-situation-von-jenischen-sinti-und-roma?e=107f67f2cd “]
The Roma beggars from Lausanne are back. And are now looking for jobs (as begging is forbidden).
– Des mendicants reviennent à Lausanne pour y travailler. In: Le Matin. 09.12.2018. https://www.24heures.ch/lematindimanche/Des-mendiants-reviennent-a-Lausanne-pour-y-travailler/story/18627828 [link-preview url=”https://www.24heures.ch/lematindimanche/Des-mendiants-reviennent-a-Lausanne-pour-y-travailler/story/18627828″]
Deaf Roma beggars suddenly are playing guitar and singing … And a warning from the police on organised bands of brazen beggars.
– «Und plötzlich singen die gehörlosen Bettler». In: 20 Minuten (CH). 03.12.2018. https://www.20min.ch/schweiz/ostschweiz/story/-Und-ploetzlich-singen-die-taubstummen-Bettler–15836255
– Polizei warnt vor dreisten Bettler-Banden. In: 20 Minuten (CH). 03.12.2018. https://www.20min.ch/schweiz/ostschweiz/story/Polizei-warnt-vor-dreisten-Bettlern-25100846 [link-preview url=”https://www.20min.ch/schweiz/ostschweiz/story/-Und-ploetzlich-singen-die-taubstummen-Bettler–15836255 “]
After many years, the city of Basle in Switzerland finally opened a camping site for travellers in the city.
It took time!
– Nach langem Hin und Her: Basel-Stadt weiht ersten fixen Standplatz für Fahrende ein. In: BZ Basel. 29.11.2018. https://www.bzbasel.ch/basel/basel-stadt/nach-langem-hin-und-her-basel-stadt-weiht-ersten-fixen-standplatz-fuer-fahrende-ein-133782286
– Platz für Fahrende. In: Basler Zeitung. 30.11.2018. https://bazonline.ch/basel/stadt/platz-fuer-fahrende/story/21578188
– Erster Fahrendenplatz in Basel-Stadt eröffnet. In: Smopo. 29.11.2018. http://smopo.ch/erster-fahrendenplatz-in-basel-stadt-eroeffnet/ [link-preview url=”https://www.bzbasel.ch/basel/basel-stadt/nach-langem-hin-und-her-basel-stadt-weiht-ersten-fixen-standplatz-fuer-fahrende-ein-133782286 “]
A new book highlights the stereotypes on Roma between the their arrival in Europe and now.
– From 18th Century ‘kidnap’ to Big Fat Gypsy Weddings: New book tackles negative stereotypes of travellers. In: The Yorkshire Post. 27.11.2018. https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/from-18th-century-kidnap-to-big-fat-gypsy-weddings-new-book-tackles-negative-stereotypes-of-travellers-1-9464419 [link-preview url=”https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/from-18th-century-kidnap-to-big-fat-gypsy-weddings-new-book-tackles-negative-stereotypes-of-travellers-1-9464419″]
No comments …
– Prekäre Situation bei den Sintis: «Wir wollen nicht pauschalisiert werden». In: Tagblatt. 15.11.2018. https://www.tagblatt.ch/ostschweiz/wil/prekaere-situation-bei-den-sintis-wir-wollen-nicht-pauschalisiert-werden-ld.1070007 [link-preview url=”https://www.tagblatt.ch/ostschweiz/wil/prekaere-situation-bei-den-sintis-wir-wollen-nicht-pauschalisiert-werden-ld.1070007″]
Two more articles on beggars in Lausanne. In one, the journalist explains why she prefers not to have beggars, and in the other, they wonder whre they all went.
I any case, such begging interdictions are a bad idea.
– La mendicité ou l’épine dans le pied. In: Le Temps. 06.11.2018. https://www.letemps.ch/opinions/mendicite-lepine-pied
– Mais ou sont passes le mendicants. In: 24 Heures. https://www.24heures.ch/vaud-regions/Mais-ou-sont-passes-les-mendiants-Roms/story/23456490 [link-preview url=”https://www.letemps.ch/opinions/mendicite-lepine-pied “]
Following the definitive interdiction of begging in the Swiss city of Lausanne, a plethora of articles on the subject: Roma now asking for work rather than for money, how to enforce the interdiction, etc…
The experience of Geneva shows those interdictions are totally useless.
– Après les pieces, les roms mendient du travail. In: 24 heures. 04.11.2018. https://www.24heures.ch/vaud-regions/pieces-roms-mendient-travail/story/25645234
– MENDICITÉ: LES ROMS MÈNENT UNE ACTION DE SENSIBILISATION. In: Le Matin. 01.11.2018. https://www.lematin.ch/news/Mendicite-les-Roms-menent-une-action-de-sensibilisation/story/31011864
– Traquer les mendiants: une mission comme une autre. In: 20 Minutes 9CH). 01.11.2018. https://www.20min.ch/ro/news/vaud/story/Premier-jour-d-interdiction-de-mendier-dans-le-canton-17043514
– “Il ne suffit pas d’interdire la mendicité pour que le phénomène disparaisse”. In: RTS Info. 01.11.2018. https://www.rts.ch/info/suisse/9961937–il-ne-suffit-pas-d-interdire-la-mendicite-pour-que-le-phenomene-disparaisse-.html
– MENDICITÉ SORIN, LE DERNIER MENDIANT DE LAUSANNE VOUS SALUE… In: Le Matin. 31.10.2018. https://www.lematin.ch/suisse/Sorin-le-dernier-mendiant-de-Lausanne-vous-salue/story/19432540 [link-preview url=”https://www.24heures.ch/vaud-regions/pieces-roms-mendient-travail/story/25645234 “]
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