News Western Europe – rroma.org https://rroma.org Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:25:26 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://rroma.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cropped-greenwheel_large-1-32x32.png News Western Europe – rroma.org https://rroma.org 32 32 Butchu Festival https://rroma.org/butchu-festival/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=butchu-festival Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:25:26 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33308 The Roma-Butschu festival in Burgenland celebrates the traditions of the Roma community, featuring performances from various ethnic groups, including Croatian and Hungarian ensembles.

Notable performances included the Leon Berger Band and Romano Rath, with a special appearance by the Slovenian band Romano Glauso, who emphasized the need for Roma unity against discrimination.

The next Roma-Butschu is planned for next year at a new venue that will enhance cultural exchange and community interaction among different ethnic groups.

]]> Roma Gatherings https://rroma.org/roma-gatherings/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=roma-gatherings Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:54:49 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33272 The presence of Roma in public spaces in Mytilene has reached an intolerable level for residents and visitors, leading to public health and safety concerns due to poor hygiene conditions.

The Mayor of Rhodes, Alexandros Koliadis, and Deputy Mayor Kostas Chalkias visited the Dodecanese Police Directorate to discuss concerns about gatherings of Roma on the island.

The municipal authorities are worried about the emergence of new unauthorized gathering places for Roma and are considering involving the Prosecutor’s Office if necessary.

Bad …

]]> UK and Roma https://rroma.org/uk-and-roma-6/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=uk-and-roma-6 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:52:19 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33263 Alexandra Bahor, a Roma activist in Liverpool, advocates for Roma rights and challenges stereotypes about Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities, emphasizing their diversity and unique needs.

She highlights the importance of meaningful partnerships between GRT communities and organizations, advocating for their involvement in decision-making processes.

Alexandra calls for recognition of anti-Gypsyism as a specific form of racism and encourages individuals to question stereotypes and listen to Roma voices to foster understanding and change.

]]> Greece, Police, and Roma https://rroma.org/greece-police-and-roma-3/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=greece-police-and-roma-3 Sun, 28 Jun 2026 12:08:35 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33235 An article in the Bulgarian press about Police raids in Roma settlements in Greece.

In Nea Zoi, Greece, police operations targeting Roma families have become a regular occurrence, with over 76 raids in six months, involving hundreds of officers, under the guise of maintaining public order.

These actions are part of a broader European trend of criminalizing marginalized communities, with Greece serving as a testing ground for policies that blur the lines between internal policing and border control.

The rhetoric surrounding these operations often frames them as necessary for public safety, perpetuating a narrative that associates Roma identity with crime, while lacking significant international oversight or condemnation.

]]> French Chronicle … https://rroma.org/french-chronicle-367/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=french-chronicle-367 Sun, 28 Jun 2026 12:07:34 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33231 More news this week in France about Roma.  A reportage about Romanian Roma who have been expelled from France and are returning there; questions about the condemnatioin of France by the European Union; politics in the Nantes region following an accusation of having used Roma to win local elections; near Nantes, a camp being evacuated; in Westen France, a mayor condemned for having denied Roima water; and finally, the impact of the recent extreme heat in France on a settlement near Paris.

]]> Sweden and Roma  https://rroma.org/33226-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=33226-2 Sat, 27 Jun 2026 08:39:26 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33226 The Council of Europe has officially accused Sweden of systemic discrimination against Roma migrants, violating the European Social Charter by denying them medical care.

A report highlighted serious violations, including a lack of national rules leading to indirect discrimination through health service fees, with 129 cases showing inadequate care.

Historical issues of discrimination against Roma in Sweden include illegal ethnic profiling by police and barriers in education and housing, prompting calls for official apologies and memorials for the Roma community.

]]> Roma in Greece https://rroma.org/roma-in-greece/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=roma-in-greece Sat, 27 Jun 2026 08:35:59 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33214 The greek Roma community of Gerakas expresses strong protest in an opebn letter against frequent police operations targeting their settlement, citing issues with illegal electricity connections due to inadequate infrastructure.

The community emphasizes that they are not using electricity illegally to avoid payment, but rather due to the state’s failure to provide proper connections.

The letter calls for immediate state intervention to address long-standing issues and criticizes the government for misusing European funds instead of promoting social integration for the Roma community.

]]> Minorities https://rroma.org/minorities/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=minorities Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:05:21 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33196 A reform package in Austria aims to constitutionally recognize all six indigenous ethnic groups in the country, including Croats, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, and Roma.

A new ethnic group forum will be established, and an annual report will be developed to inform about federal measures for the promotion and preservation of these groups.

The package also ensures the long-term security of bilingual courts in Carinthia, consolidating court locations while maintaining existing court sessions.

]]> A Row https://rroma.org/a-row/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-row Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:03:06 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33190 Romani singer Vasilis Paiteris, who has been politically active since 1993, is facing a lawsuit from Aphrodite Latinopoulou, president of the party “Voice of Logic,” for insulting her dignity.

The conflict satarted when Aphrodite Latinopoulou called him “gyftos” (a pejorative term for Roma in Greek). He responded  by making a provocative remark about Latinopoulou’s appearance, which led to her filing the lawsuit.

In a recent TV appearance, Paiteris expressed willingness to apologize and invited Latinopoulou for coffee to discuss reconciliation, suggesting that 700,000 Romani voters could support her if she seeks forgiveness.

]]> Roma in Portugal https://rroma.org/roma-in-portugal/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=roma-in-portugal Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:10:25 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=33157 Portugal lacks a new national strategy for the integration of Roma communities, endangering the survival of many organizations due to funding shortages.

Roma representatives criticize government delays and the impact on local projects, particularly in education and community mediation. The absence of a strategy has led to the closure of several associations, highlighting the need for stronger state support and engagement with Roma organizations.

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