News Western Europe Archives

Germany, Justice, and Prejudice

July 29, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

The Gera Regional Court will not open a trial against controversial administrative judge Bengt Fuchs. The public prosecutor’s office had accused him of incitement to hatred.

In August 2019, Fuchs allegedly wrote a comment under a Facebook post in a student fraternity group that was deemed incitement to hatred. Fuchs allegedly equated the Sinti and Roma ethnic groups with traveling gangs of thieves. In the group, the user “Bengt-Christian Fuchs” had described the group as “rotational Europeans with a weakness in property attribution.”

If this is not racist, what is?

Richter droht keine Strafverfolgung. In: TAZ> 28.07.2025. https://taz.de/Veraechtliche-Worte-gegen-Sinti-und-Roma/!6103883/
Verfahren gegen Skandal-Richter geplatzt. In: Bild. 25.07.2025. https://www.bild.de/regional/thueringen/nach-schmaehung-von-sinti-und-roma-verfahren-gegen-skandal-richter-geplatzt-68836663a693874dc46f76ea
Kein Strafprozess gegen Richter Bengt Fuchs. In: LTO. 25.07.2025. https://www.lto.de/recht/nachrichten/n/3kls122js2502324-lg-gera-bengt-fuchs-volksverhetzung-hauptverfahren-eroeffnung-abgelehnt
Doch kein Gerichtsverfahren gegen umstrittenen Geraer Richter – Antiziganismus-Stelle mit scharfer Kritik. In: MDR. 28.07.2025. https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/thueringen/ost-thueringen/gera/richter-fuchs-kein-gerichtsverfahren-100.html

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

July 27, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

Only one story this week in the French press about Roma: The closure and destruction of a Roma camp near le Bourget north of Paris.

Démantèlement d’un campement de Roms à La Courneuve et au Bourget. In: Alnay Libre. 26.07.2025. https://www.aulnaylibre.com/2025/07/demantelement-d-un-campement-de-roms-a-la-courneuve-et-au-bourget.html
« Une situation devenue insoutenable » : le campement de Roms en lisière du Bourget démantelé. In: Le Parisien. 25.07.2025. https://www.leparisien.fr/seine-saint-denis-93/une-situation-devenue-insoutenable-le-campement-de-roms-en-lisiere-du-bourget-demantele-25-07-2025-6TQRPAYZ6NBO3GA73GXO5RMYJQ.php

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

July 20, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

Not much this week in France about Roma. Roma squatting on private land in Angers, and in Nantes, the anger of residents faced with several Roma families who settled in this neighbourhood. The latter thing to be taken with a grain of salt as the paper is notoriously extreme right.

Installation illicite de Roms sur le terrain d’un particulier : « Quand la police viendra, on partira ». In: Ma Ville. 07.2025. https://angers.maville.com/actu/actudet_-installation-illicite-de-roms-sur-le-terrain-d-un-particulier-quand-la-police-viendra-on-partira-_fil-6902329_actu.Htm#google_vignette
Nates: Quartier Bellevue : les habitants du square des Rochelets à bout face à la cohabitation forcée avec des familles roms. In: Breizhinfo. 17.07.2025. https://www.breizh-info.com/2025/07/17/249174/nantes-quartier-bellevue-les-habitants-du-square-des-rochelets-a-bout-face-a-la-cohabitation-forcee-avec-des-familles-roms/

News Western Europe United Kingdom

Book on Roma

July 18, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

Another one of those. A book on Roma with all stereotypes mixed together.

Bad.

Book Review: Madeline Potter’s ‘The Roma’ Blends Memoir And Research To Look At A Marginalized Group. In: My Mother Lode. 14.07.2025. https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/world/4101165/book-review-madeline-potters-the-roma-blends-memoir-and-research-to-look-at-a-marginalized-group.html

France News Western Europe

Art and Roma

July 13, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

An interview with art historian, art critic (she won the AICA prize in 2023) and curator, Elora Weill-Engerer. She is publishing “Le jour lui n’a qu’un jour. Sept textes sur Ceija Stojka” [The day has only one day: seven texts about Čeja Stijka. this fall and is curator of the exhibition “Les Rois morts” [Dead Kings] at the Suzanne Tarasieve gallery in Paris (until August 2). She is currently preparing, under the supervision of Elvan Zabunyan and Pierre Wat, a doctoral thesis at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne on the

The later part, unfortunately, reflects the lack of knowledge in France about Roma and the still prevailing stereotypes.

Elora Weill-Engerer : « Il est temps de rendre aux Roms leur pratique artistique ». In: Le Quotidien de l’Art. 10.07.2025. https://www.lequotidiendelart.com/articles/27729-elora-weill-engerer-il-est-temps-de-rendre-aux-roms-leur-pratique-artistique.html

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

July 13, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

The usual in France about Roma. The reedition of a reportage in a Roma slum in Marseille, perpetuating stereotypes. With the closure of a camp in Nantes, the Roma families are asked to sign a convention with the municipality, pushing them towards compliance with norms and involvement with social services. Finally, also in Nantes, in a neighbourhood where Roma were given housing are protesting against them.

“Au cœur de la communauté de Roms de Marseille” sur RMC Story lundi 14 juillet 2025 (vidéo). In: Coulisse TV. 12.07.2025. https://www.coulisses-tv.fr/index.php/documentaires/item/46026-au-cœur-de-la-communauté-de-roms-de-marseille-sur-rmc-story-lundi-14-juillet-2025-vidéo#google_vignette
Les familles Roms invitées à signer une convention avec la mairie. In: Ma Ville. 06.07.2025. https://nantes.maville.com/actu/actudet_-les-familles-roms-invitees-a-signer-une-convention-avec-la-mairie-_-6888070_actu.Htm#google_vignette
“Le préfet doit agir !” : ces habitants d’une copropriété de Bellevue à Nantes veulent le départ de familles roms. In: Ici. 13.07.2025. https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/societe/le-prefet-doit-agir-ces-habitants-d-une-copropriete-de-bellevue-a-nantes-veulent-le-depart-de-familles-roms-4209025

News Western Europe United Kingdom

Racism in the UK

July 11, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

An article about racism against Roma and travellers in the UK.

Bad, and without consequences.

RACISM WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE: HOW THE UK MEDIA AND INSTITUTIONS CONTINUE TO DEMONISE GYPSIES AND TRAVELLERS. In: Travellers’ Times. 08.07.2025. https://www.travellerstimes.org.uk/features/racism-without-consequence-how-uk-media-and-institutions-continue-demonise-gypsies-and

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

July 6, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

Not much about Roma in France this week. In fact, two articles about Roma: a project entitled “rencont’roms nous” aimed a children, and a so-called insertion village is being contested in Western France.

La formidable rencontre du CLAS et de “Rencont’roms nous”. In: La Dépêche. 02.07.2025. https://www.ladepeche.fr/2025/07/02/la-formidable-rencontre-du-clas-et-de-rencontroms-nous-12799713.php
Terrain d’insertion des Roms à Saint-Herblain : le permis d’aménager contesté. In: Ouest France. 02.07.2025. https://saint-nazaire.maville.com/actu/actudet_-terrain-d-insertion-des-roms-a-saint-herblain-le-permis-d-amenager-conteste-_dep-6881368_actu.Htm#google_vignette

News Western Europe United Kingdom

Gypsy Gangs…

July 4, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

Typical Trabloid fare. Irish Gypsy gangs (read Irish Travellers) who are not related to Roma, are being accused of going to Gibraltar to marry underage girls.

Bad, and worse “journalism”…

WEDDING VOW | Gibraltar government are raising legal marriage age due to ‘Irish gypsy gangs’. In; Sunday World. 04.07.2025. https://www.sundayworld.com/news/world-news/gibraltar-government-are-raising-legal-marriage-age-due-to-irish-gypsy-gangs/a1663453407.html

Bulgaria Greece News Eastern Europe News Western Europe

Greece and Bulgaria: Traffic

July 2, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

A lengthy article about a traffic of cheap Chinese ware landing in Greece and being sold in Bulgaria. It seems that most of the drivers who pass this across the border are Roma.

КИТАЙСКАТА СТОКА ВЛИЗА ОТ ПИРЕЯ, РАЗВЪРЗВА СЕ В ГОЦЕДЕЛЧЕВСКО. In: Top Presa. 28.06.2025. https://toppresa.com/385059/китайската-стока-влиза-от-пирея-развъ#google_vignette

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

June 29, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

Many articles this week in France. Most were devoted to the acquittal of the mayor of Villeron, near Paris and of 5 of the residents of that town for having voluntarily chased away Roma from a camp and destroyed their housing two years ago. The mayor clamours he is not a racist, well, that can be discussed, and one Romani organisation is considering an appeal to that decision. The other news with several articles is a fire in a Roma camp near Paris in Ris-Orangis. Other news are the usual ones: In Western France, how to distribute the “effort” among communes, i.e. how to apportion Roma to different towns; and the story of a landowner whose land has been occupied by Roma.

Relaxe dans l’affaire de la destruction du camp rom de Villeron : « Une porte ouverte à la violence ». In: Le Parisen. 24.06.2025. https://www.leparisien.fr/val-d-oise-95/relaxe-dans-laffaire-de-la-destruction-du-camp-rom-de-villeron-une-porte-ouverte-a-la-violence-24-06-2025-3NFLDSDZ4VF6HHNU3ALC25HUZE.php
Procès de la destruction du camp de Roms à Villeron : le maire, qui clame « ne pas être raciste », relaxé. In: Le Parisien. 23.06.2025. https://www.leparisien.fr/val-d-oise-95/proces-de-la-destruction-du-camp-de-roms-a-villeron-je-ne-suis-pas-raciste-clame-le-maire-23-06-2025-YRNGV7EPQRGJZOED34SCHVQ7IM.php
Le maire de Villeron relaxé après l’évacuation illégale d’un bidonville. In: Le Monde. 24.06.2025. https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2025/06/24/le-maire-de-villeron-relaxe-apres-l-evacuation-illegale-d-un-bidonville_6615583_3224.html
Val-d’Oise : relaxe d’un maire après l’expulsion illégale d’un campement de Roms. In: Le Courrier de l’Atlas. 25.06.2025. https://www.lecourrierdelatlas.com/val-doise-relaxe-dun-maire-apres-lexpulsion-illegale-dun-campement-de-roms/
Val-d’Oise : un maire relaxé après avoir détruit avec des habitants un camp de Roms. In: Valeurs Actuelles. 24.06.2025. https://www.valeursactuelles.com/faits-divers/val-doise-un-maire-relaxe-apres-avoir-detruit-avec-des-habitants-un-camp-de-roms
Val-d’Oise : relaxe d’un maire après l’expulsion contestée d’un campement de Roms. In: MesInfos.fr. 27.06.2025. https://mesinfos.fr/95380-villeron/val-d-oise-relaxe-d-un-maire-apres-l-expulsion-contestee-d-un-campement-de-roms-225152.html
Trafic paralysé sur la N104, 21 victimes… Ce qu’il faut savoir sur l’incendie en cours à Ris-Orangis. In: Actu.fr. 27.06.2025. https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/ris-orangis_91521/trafic-paralyse-sur-la-n104-21-victimes-ce-qu-il-faut-savoir-sur-l-incendie-en-cours-a-ris-orangis_62832994.html
Essonne : un important incendie s’est déclaré aujourd’hui à Ris-Orangis, le trafic routier perturbé. In: TF1. 26.06.2025. https://www.tf1info.fr/justice-faits-divers/essonne-un-important-incendie-s-est-declare-jeudi-26-mai-a-ris-orangis-le-trafic-routier-perturbe-2379414.html
Un important incendie près de l’ancien hippodrome de Ris-Orangis, le trafic est fortement perturbé dans le secteur de l’A6 et la N104. In: FR3. 26.06.2025. https://france3-regions.franceinfo.fr/paris-ile-de-france/essonne/un-important-incendie-pres-de-l-ancien-hippodrome-de-ris-orangis-le-trafic-est-fortement-perturbe-dans-le-secteur-de-l-a6-et-la-n104-3178371.html
Essonne : un incendie impressionnant observé depuis la N104, ce que l’on sait. In: Actu.fr. 26.06.2025.https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/ris-orangis_91521/essonne-un-incendie-impressionnant-observe-depuis-la-n104-ce-que-l-on-sait_62829330.html
Accueil des Roms : à Angers, Christophe Béchu milite pour « une juste répartition de l’effort ». In: Ouest France. 27.06.2025. https://angers.maville.com/actu/actudet_-accueil-des-roms-a-angers-christophe-bechu-milite-pour-une-juste-repartition-de-l-effort-_loc-6874679_actu.Htm
Des Roms s’installent sur son terrain : le parcours du combattant d’un propriétaire pour les expulser. In: Ouest Frnce. 25.06.2025. https://angers.maville.com/actu/actudet_-des-roms-s-installent-sur-son-terrain-le-parcours-du-combattant-d-un-proprietaire-pour-les-expulser-_loc-6870410_actu.Htm#google_vignette

Germany News Western Europe

Racism against Roma in Germany

June 25, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

Antiziganism Reporting and Information Center in Germany (MIA), has documented the nature and scale of antiziganism in the country in its latest annual report.

The report recorded 1,678 antiziganism cases in 2024, ranging from verbal abuse to assaults — a significant increase on the 621 reported in its first edition, published for the year 2022.

Bad.

Report: Discrimination and racism against Roma and Sinti communities in Germany, in alarming numbers. In: A2 News. 25.06.2025. https://a2news.com/english/rajoni-bota/bota/raporti-disinimi-dhe-racizmi-ndaj-romeve-dhe-komunitetit-si-i1151437
Germany: Racism against Sinti and Roma increasing, In: Deutsche Welle. 23.06.2025. https://www.dw.com/en/germany-racism-against-sinti-and-roma-increasing/a-73005687

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe News Western Europe United Kingdom

Glastonbury and Roma

June 25, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

The musical formation Songs of Roma will perform at one of the largest and most famous music festivals in the world in Glastonbury in the United Kingdom. They will present the Romani repertoire and will also lead a workshop on traditional singing. The festival takes place from June 25 to 29 and will offer a varied cultural program focused, among other things, on the Romani community.

„Mysleli jsme si, že je to apríl.“ Songs of Roma vystoupí na Glastonbury. Romská hudba zazní mezi světovými jmény. In: Romea. 23.06.2025. https://romea.cz/cz/kultura/mysleli-jsme-si-ze-je-to-april-songs-of-roma-vystoupi-na-glastonbury-romska-hudba-zazni-mezi-svetovymi-jmeny#google_vignette
Česko-slovenská dvojice vystoupí na festivalu Glastonbury s romskými písněmi. In: České Noviny. 25.06.2025. https://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/2690815

News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Slovakia United Kingdom

UK: Rape

June 23, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

Three Slovak Roma are facing charges in the United Kingdom for the brutal rape of a 12-year-old girl according to the Mirror. They held the minor for three days. They gave her drugs and repeatedly sexually abused her.

This is bad.

Trojica Rómov zo Slovenska čelí v Británii obžalobe za znásilnenie dieťaťa. In: Štandart. 20.06.2025. https://standard.sk/977234/trojica-romov-zo-slovenska-celi-v-britanii-obzalobe-za-znasilnenie-dietata

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

June 22, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

In Besançon, in Eastern France, the Roma community commemorated the 13^th of June marking the expulsion of Roma from Kosovo in 1999. In Toulouse, in the Southwest of France, a camp that has been standing for 19 years will soon be closed. 130 Romanian Roma families will lose their houses.

Finally, an article about racism in France that seems to be less prevalent than expected. Racism seems to go together with the fear of migrants.

Roms : la tragédie du 13 juin 1999 commémorée en mairie. In: L’Est Républicain. 16.06.2025.https://www.estrepublicain.fr/societe/2025/06/16/roms-la-tragedie-du-13-juin-1999-commemoree-en-mairie
Après 19 ans d’occupation, le plus grand camp de Roms sera bientôt évacué à Toulouse. In: MSN / Le Parisien. https://www.msn.com/fr-fr/actualite/france/après-19-ans-d-occupation-le-plus-grand-camp-de-roms-sera-bientôt-évacué-à-toulouse/ar-AA1Gpg2p?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1
“On va casser tout ce qu’on a mis en place ces 5 dernières années” une association se mobilise contre la fermeture d’un camp de Roms. In: FR3. 19.06.2025. https://france3-regions.franceinfo.fr/occitanie/haute-garonne/toulouse/on-va-casser-tout-ce-qu-on-a-mis-en-place-ces-5-dernieres-annees-une-association-se-mobilise-contre-la-fermeture-d-un-camp-de-roms-3173829.html
Racisme : la société française plus tolérante qu’on ne le pense. In: Elle. 18.06.2025. https://www.elle.fr/Societe/News/Racisme-la-societe-francaise-plus-tolerante-qu-on-ne-le-pense-4354748

Germany News Western Europe

Commissioner against Antiziganism

June 19, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

It is now official: Germany’s Federal Cabinet has appointed Michael Brand as the Federal Government Commissioner against Antiziganism and for the Life of Sinti and Roma.

Michael Brand wird neuer Beauftragter gegen Antiziganismus. In: BMSFJ. 18.06.2025. https://www.bmfsfj.de/bmfsfj/aktuelles/alle-meldungen/michael-brand-wird-neuer-beauftragter-gegen-antiziganismus–265840

Germany News Western Europe

Research Position

June 18, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

The Department of History at Heidelberg University (Center for European History and Cultural Studies) is offering a research fellowship (“Romani Rose Fellowship”) at the Research Center on Antiziganism with an annual grant of EUR 20,000.00. The fellowship begins on January 1, 2026 (doctoral fellowship) or, depending on the researcher, between January 1 and May 1, 2026 (postdoctoral fellowship).

Forschungsstipendium “Antiziganismusforschung” (Univ. Heidelberg). 10.06.2025. In: H/SOZ/KULT.https://www.hsozkult.de/grant/id/stip-155665

News Western Europe United Kingdom

Clinic for Roma

June 17, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

A doctor in Leeds has created a drop in clinic for Roma. Lidia Persidia Holea, from the AME for Roma support group, set up the initiative after she noticed a lack of trust between the community and doctors and nurses, which could lead to poorer health.

Clinic for Roma patients launched by GP practice. In: BBC. 16.06.2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn5yp14xeneo

Germany News Western Europe

Germany and Antigypsyism

June 17, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

Michael Brand, a CDU politician, will become Commissioner Against Antigypsyism. Until very recently, it was feared that the new German government would abolish the office of Commissioner Against Antigypsyism. It seems that the deal is now done, and Brand will replace Mehmet Daimagueler.

Michael Brand soll Beauftragter gegen Antiziganismus werden. In: TAZ. 11.06.2025. https://taz.de/Bundesbeauftragter-fuer-Antiziganismus-/!6093615/
CDU-Politiker Brand soll Antiziganismus-Beauftragter werden. In: Deutsachlandfunk. 13.06.2025. https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/cdu-politiker-brand-soll-antiziganismus-beauftragter-werden-104.html

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

June 15, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

The usual French things. First, an “explanation” of the French confusion between Roma, Tsiganes, Manouches, and Gitans. Well, the explanation is worthless. In Strasbourg, they are trying to integrate Roma, lodging them in better housing and making sure the children are educated. Finally, one large Roma camp in Toulouse, in the South of France will be closed. Of course, without any planned relocation.

Gens du voyage, Roms, Tziganes… Ce qu’il faut savoir. In: Ouest Frnce. 10.06.2025. https://angers.maville.com/actu/actudet_-gens-du-voyage-roms-tziganes…-ce-qu-il-faut-savoir-_fil-6846882_actu.Htm#google_vignette
Un parcours d’émancipation pour des familles roms. In: Strasbourg.eu. 11.06.2025. https://www.strasbourg.eu/-/insertion-familles-roms-rue-du-rempart
Stupeur chez les habitants du camp roms de la Flambère, obligés d’évacuer le lieu : “Où irons-nous?” In: Actu.fr. 13.06.2025. https://actu.fr/occitanie/toulouse_31555/toulouse-stupeur-chez-les-habitants-du-camp-roms-de-la-flambere-obliges-d-evacuer-le-lieu-ou-irons-nous_62768737.html
Après 19 ans d’occupation, le plus grand camp de Roms sera bientôt évacué à Toulouse. In: Le Parisien. 10.06.2025. https://www.leparisien.fr/haute-garonne-31/apres-19-ans-doccupation-le-plus-grand-camp-de-roms-sera-bientot-evacue-a-toulouse-10-06-2025-OGOUXQELA5ASZEEKWFEA4WYEQ4.php