Category Archives: Germany

Germany News Western Europe

Hermann “Mano” Höllenreiner

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Hermann “Mano” Höllenreiner

Hermann “Mano” Höllenreiner, a Holocaust survivor and witness to Nazi atrocities, passed away in Mühldorf, Bavaria, at the age of 92.

He survived Auschwitz-Birkenau and the death march from Sachsenhausen, later sharing his experiences to educate others about the suffering of the Sinti and Roma during the Holocaust.

Höllenreiner was recognized for his contributions to remembrance work and was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in Germany.

Te avel I phuv lokhi!

Germany News Western Europe

Z-Soup

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Z-Soup

A vending machine at the Städtisches Klinikum Dresden is causing controversy for offering a soup labeled “Zigeunersuppe,” which is considered discriminatory by many Sinti and Roma.

The term “Zigeuner” is historically linked to exclusion and persecution, and its use in food labeling is increasingly criticized.

Germany News Western Europe

Young Roma

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Young Roma

The article discusses the challenges faced by Sinti and Roma communities, highlighting deep-rooted prejudices and anti-Roma sentiment in society.

It features a film that follows four young Roma who are actively combating stereotypes and advocating for empowerment amidst cultural and familial challenges.

The young Roma generation is increasingly resisting discrimination in education, housing, and employment, striving for equal opportunities and societal recognition.

Germany News Western Europe

Germany, Sinti and Roma

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Germany, Sinti and Roma

According to Michael Hartmann, the anti-Gypsyism commissioner for Rhineland-Palatinate, Sinti and Roma often face discrimination in everyday school life. “Many teachers know just as little about these minorities as their students do,” the SPD politician said in an interview with the German Press Agency (dpa) in Mainz.

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ERIAC head on AfD

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ERIAC head on AfD

Anna Mirga, who heads ERIAC, comments on the recent victory of the AfD in Sachsen Anhalt and on some of the comments somf prominent AfD politicians have made regarding Roma. One AfD MP ordered people she identified as Roma to sweep the streets. Tino Chrupalla, the AfD deputy leader and Bundestag MP suggested that a cache of weapons found in a forest near Berlin had likely been lost by Roma people who had “gone mushroom picking.” he oldest stereotype—that Roma are criminals and backward people—served as a cheap political ploy. The crowd laughed.

Germany News Western Europe

Educational Mediators

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Educational Mediators

Adelina Dibu is one of five educational mediators in Hagen, Germany, and identifies as a Romani.

She promotes integration at Friedrich-Harkort-Grundschule and Grundschule Gewecke.

The article highlights her role in supporting educational initiatives for marginalized communities.

Germany News Western Europe

Commission on Discrimination

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Commission on Discrimination

A commission has been established to address historical discrimination and institutional injustices faced by Sinti and Roma in post-war Germany, comprising equal representation from both minority and majority communities.

Michael Brand emphasized the importance of this commission as a crucial step in systematically addressing injustices that occurred after 1945.

The commission aims to make experiences of injustice visible, close knowledge gaps, and derive consequences for the present and future, with support from the Foundation for Remembrance, Responsibility, and Future (EVZ).

Germany News Western Europe

Reparations

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Reparations

Historian Joey Rauschenberger presents a nuanced analysis of post-war reparations for the Genocide for Sinti and Roma, revealing surprising findings.

A 1956 ruling by the Federal Court of Justice exemplifies judicial error, stating that the racial persecution of “Gypsies” began only in March 1943, dismissing earlier actions as mere police measures.

The ruling reflects a persistent anti-Romani stereotype, equating “Gypsies” with “primitive humans,” highlighting deep-seated prejudices in legal interpretations.

Germany News Western Europe

Sinti in Duisburg

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Sinti in Duisburg

Sinti families have been residing in Duisburg since the 1970s, living in container homes.

They are currently facing fears of being displaced from their homes.

The situation has led to increasing desperation among the Sinti community.

Germany News Western Europe

Romanity

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Romanity

Renate Bürner interviews Radoslav Ganev, a founder of the Romanity association, discussing the organization’s concerns and projects.

The conversation focuses on raising awareness about the prejudices and images surrounding the 600-year history of Sinti and Roma in Germany and other countries, which continue to lead to discrimination and violence.

The discussion also addresses the need for a proper remembrance culture of the genocide and the societal and cultural contributions of the Sinti and Roma.

Germany News Western Europe

Reactions to the AfD win in Germany

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Reactions to the AfD win in Germany

Politicians from Baden-Württemberg view the AfD’s electoral success in Saxony-Anhalt as a significant shift, with concerns about its implications for democracy and governance in Germany.

The Central Council of German Sinti and Roma expresses fears of a resurgence of nationalism and a threat to democracy, linking the AfD’s rise to historical minimization of the Nazi era.

Germany News Western Europe

AfD and Minorities

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AfD and Minorities

The director of ERIAC, Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka, warns that the recent election victory of the far-right AfD in Saxony-Anhalt signifies the normalization of racism in Germany, particularly against Roma.

She highlights the historical targeting of Roma, referencing the Nazi era, and notes that the AfD’s use of derogatory terms like ‘Zigeuner’ reflects a growing anti-Roma sentiment.

Mirga-Kruszelnicka expresses concern over the AfD’s nativist agenda and the potential for increased discrimination and deportation of Roma, despite many having deep roots in Germany.

Germany News Western Europe

ERIAC and Racism

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ERIAC and Racism

In view of tomorrow’s elections in Saxony-Anhalt, were the AfD has a fair chance of ruling the region, ERIAC has a strong message on fascism and racism…

Germany News Western Europe

45 Years Ago

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45 Years Ago

On September 1, 1981, a group of Sinti gathered at the University of Tübingen to reclaim documents related to the Nazi persecution of their community, including photographs and records from the ‘Racial Hygiene Research Center’.

The term “Zigeuner” (Gypsy) is historically loaded and considered derogatory; the article uses “Z*” to avoid perpetuating this stigma while discussing the historical context of the genocide known as Porajmos.

The involvement of scientists in legitimizing the persecution of Sinti and Roma is highlighted, with calls for recognition and justice continuing to this day, as the community seeks to reclaim their narrative and history.

Germany News Western Europe

Germany and AfD

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Germany and AfD

What do you expect from AfD: Simply, racist statements.

The Central Council of German Sinti and Roma has filed a criminal complaint against Tino Chrupalla, the leader of the AfD party, accusing him of incitement and insult during a campaign event in Grimmen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Chrupalla allegedly suggested that weapons found in a forest near Berlin were likely lost by ‘Gypsies’ while mushroom picking, which was met with applause and laughter from the audience.

The council expressed shock that, 81 years after Auschwitz, a far-right party is using cynical rhetoric against Sinti and Roma, which they claim promotes fear and hatred towards minorities.

Chrupalla defended his comments, stating he did not intend to offend the Sinti and Roma communities, despite receiving applause for his remarks linking them to a recent weapons find in Berlin.

Germany News Western Europe

Romani Rose

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Romani Rose

Romani Rose, a prominent civil rights activist for the Sinti and Roma minority in Germany, has dedicated over 50 years to combating anti-Roma sentiment and advocating for recognition of their history and rights.

Key milestones in his activism include the acknowledgment of the Holocaust by Chancellor Helmut Schmidt in 1982 and the recognition of Sinti and Roma as a national minority in Germany through a European agreement ratified in 1998.

Rose emphasizes the importance of viewing the Sinti and Roma as integral to German society, advocating for a future-oriented perspective while remaining aware of ongoing challenges and anti-Roma violence.

Germany News Western Europe

Invisible Minorities

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Invisible Minorities

The article discusses the concept of concealed identity, particularly among Roma and Jewish communities, highlighting the historical reasons for hiding one’s ethnic background due to discrimination and violence.

It explores the complexities of transgenerational concealed identity, where descendants inherit the burden of hidden heritage, often feeling alienated from both majority and minority groups.

The author reflects on personal experiences and the emotional resonance of identity, emphasizing the struggle between societal labels and personal resonance in defining one’s self.

Germany News Western Europe

Young Roma in Germany

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Young Roma in Germany

The documentary addresses the challenges faced by Sinti and Roma communities, highlighting deep-rooted prejudices and anti-Roma sentiment in society.

It features a film that follows four young Roma individuals who are challenging stereotypes and advocating for self-empowerment while navigating their cultural identity and societal challenges.

The young Roma generation is increasingly resisting discrimination in education, housing, and employment, striving for equal opportunities and societal recognition.

Germany News Western Europe

Cologne and Deportation

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Cologne and Deportation

An article which severely condemns the Cologne city administration for preventing the deportation of Roma who have committed crimes and are required to leave the country. The article’s author says tht this must not go unpunished.

Germany News Americas News Western Europe

Memory

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Memory

Frieda Daniels, a 93-year-old former high-wire artist, shares her experiences during the genocide at the time of the Holocaust to educate younger generations about the atrocities faced by the Sinti and Roma community.

She and her family were persecuted by the Nazis, with an estimated 500,000 Sinti and Roma murdered during the genocide.

Now living in California, Frieda continues to travel and speak about her past, recently reflecting on her experiences during a visit to an exhibition in Heidelberg, Germany.

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