Category Archives: Greece

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All the Love

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All the Love

The short film “All the Love in My Body” by Finnish-Greek director Carmen Baltsar tells the tragic story of two Roma sisters who drowned while selling trinkets on a beach in Italy in 2008, highlighting societal indifference.

The film is part of the “Raising Romani Gaze” program at the Seville European Film Festival, showcasing works by Roma filmmakers from various European countries.

The festival aims to challenge stereotypes and provide a platform for Roma voices in cinema, with a focus on personal narratives and experiences within the community.

Greece News Western Europe

ELLAN PASS

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ELLAN PASS

The Panhellenic Confederation of Roma (ELLAN PASSE) has undergone a significant leadership change with the election of young Roma scientist Panagiotis Charitos as president, marking a new era for the community’s institutional representation.

Charitos aims to enhance collaboration among federations and communities across Greece, focusing on modern representation and addressing key issues such as access to higher education.

The new leadership has outlined six strategic pillars, including equal opportunities in education and employment, combating social exclusion, and fostering cooperation with state and local authorities.

Greece News Western Europe

Greek Populism

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Greek Populism

Afrodite Latinopoulou, head of a right wing party,  proposed police patrols with specially trained dogs in areas of Athens, such as Agios Panteleimonas and Omonia, to enhance law enforcement and manage immigration issues.

She called for the establishment of permanent military units in Roma camps to combat illegal activities and suggested ending welfare policies for Roma who do not comply with legal obligations.

Latinopoulou emphasized the need for integrating Roma minors into the school system and enforcing penalties for illegal activities, asserting that police should have more authority to act against crime.

Really????

Greece News Western Europe

Politics and Racism

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Politics and Racism

The article criticizes Aphrodite Latinopoulou for her racist remarks targeting the Roma community following a tragic gas explosion in Plaka that killed six people. It emphasizes the need for respect for the victims and accountability rather than scapegoating a specific ethnic group.

The article reveals that the accused individuals are not Roma and calls for a more constructive approach to social integration and crime prevention without resorting to racism.

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Greece and Roma

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Greece and Roma

Aphrodite Latinopoulou, president of the “Voice of Reason” party (extreme-right), criticized Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for failing to change the country despite having two opportunities, accusing him of corruption.

She condemned the government’s social policies, particularly regarding immigration and social benefits, claiming that integration cannot be achieved through financial aid and that certain groups, including immigrants and Roma, should not receive benefits.

Latinopoulou used derogatory language, insisting on the term “Gypsies” instead of “Roma,” and linked social benefits to crime, calling for stricter measures against those exhibiting criminal behaviour.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma Rise

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Roma Rise

The ARSIS organization is hosting the second National Round Table in Thessaloniki as part of the Roma Rise program, focusing on the future and opportunities for young Roma.

The event aims to empower young Roma by allowing them to voice their experiences and suggestions, emphasizing their active role in shaping their future.

The organization calls for equal participation from local authorities and society to ensure that young Roma can access education, employment, and cultural opportunities without discrimination.

Greece News Western Europe

Remedial Teaching

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Remedial Teaching

Remedial teaching for Roma children will begin on October 19 in Livadi Ropa, Corfu, as part of a municipal initiative to support education. The program requires parental consent for children’s participation and aims to address educational inequalities faced by Roma students.

The initiative is funded by Greece and the EU, emphasizing the need for comprehensive social inclusion policies alongside educational support.

Greece News Western Europe

OSCE and Greece

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OSCE and Greece

Sabihah Suleiman, president of the Roma Women’s Cultural Association “ELPIDA”, addresses the rights of Roma in Thrace at the OSCE Human Dimension Conference in Warsaw, focusing on education, housing, and identity issues. She emphasizes the need for transparency in social inclusion programs and the importance of Roma community participation in decision-making processes.

Suleiman raises concerns about self-identification rights for Roma and questions the role of the Turkish consulate in Thrace regarding these communities.

Greece News Western Europe

Police Razzia

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Police Razzia

The Achaia Police Employees Union congratulated officers involved in a large-scale operation in the Roma settlement of Eglikada, Patras, leading to the arrest of two individuals with outstanding warrants for serious crimes.

The Union highlighted issues of understaffing and lack of modern equipment in police services, pledging to advocate for better staffing, resources, and legal protections for officers.

These actions directed at Roma settlements are increasingly common in Greece.

Greece News Western Europe

Influencer

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Influencer

Valentina, a Roma influencer in Greece, shares her experiences on social media, discussing the challenges and joys of her identity and the Roma culture.

She emphasizes the importance of education for Roma youth and encourages them to pursue their dreams despite societal prejudices and family disapproval.

Valentina advocates for change in how Roma are perceived and treated in society, urging others to embrace their identity and not fear criticism.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece and Roma

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Greece and Roma

The FRA’s “Roma Survey 2024” reveals a significant gap between Roma communities and the general population in Greece, highlighting failures in state interventions and ongoing socio-economic inequalities. The report emphasizes the need for genuine inclusion, equal access to education, housing, health, and employment, while also addressing the cultural identity of Roma, who face systemic discrimination and marginalization.

Gender disparities are alarming, with a 60% employment gap between Roma men and women, and high unemployment rates, particularly among young Roma, who encounter substantial barriers to entering the job market.

Greece News Western Europe

Work and Roma

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Work and Roma

This tourist season in the Northern Sporades, particularly in Skiathos, has seen an increase in the hiring of Roma workers to fill vacancies in the hospitality sector due to a labor shortage.

The demand for seasonal workers has led businesses to seek candidates from diverse backgrounds, with Roma workers primarily employed in kitchens, cleaning, and other support roles.

While some employers report early departures among workers, this issue is not unique to any specific group and reflects broader challenges in the tourism industry regarding staffing and accommodation.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma Education in Greece

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Roma Education in Greece

The 1st Conference on the education of Roma students will take place in Volos, Greece, involving various stakeholders from education, local government, academia, and the church, aiming to address ongoing issues and promote inclusive schooling practices.

The conference will focus on combating school ghettoization and establishing organized educational programs for Roma students, emphasizing the need for safe transportation, teacher training, and supportive structures.

Activities will include presentations and workshops with mixed groups of Roma and non-Roma students, showcasing successful educational practices to foster a democratic and inclusive school environment.

Greece News Western Europe

Brawl

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Brawl

MEP Afroditi Latinopoulou discussed a controversial incident at a kindergarten in Ano Liosia, where a principal was filmed yelling at children, leading to a parent’s attack on her.

Latinopoulou claimed the issue is longstanding and highlighted the challenges teachers face, while also criticizing the behavior of the Roma community, using derogatory terms.

The principal has filed charges against the child’s parents, and the father admitted to hitting the principal, acknowledging it was a mistake.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma in Achaia

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Roma in Achaia

The registered Roma population in Achaia exceeds 9,000, with the highest concentration in Western Achaia, particularly in the municipality of Western Achaia with 6,304 individuals. As usual, how do they know this? Who decides?

In Patras, approximately 2,500 Roma are spread across 17 areas, with significant numbers in the Southern and Central districts.

The demographic data indicates a high proportion of minors among the Roma population in Patras, highlighting the need for access to education and social services.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma in Greece

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Roma in Greece

A meeting was held between Thessaly’s regional governor, Dimitris Koureta, and representatives of the Roma community to discuss issues related to education, health, employment, and housing.

Key challenges faced by Roma communities in Thessaly were addressed, with a focus on school dropout rates, access to health services, and the need for targeted interventions.

The governor emphasized the importance of dialogue and collaboration with Roma representatives to develop specific proposals for funding and improve living conditions for Roma families in the region.

Greece News Western Europe

Early Marriages

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Early Marriages

Rena Dourou, head of SYRIZA-PS, labeled early marriages among Roma women as a form of gender-based violence during a presentation of a European project aimed at addressing this issue.

She emphasized the dual struggle for bodily autonomy and a dignified life faced by young Roma women, criticizing the societal acceptance of early marriages as a taboo that hinders their dreams.

Dourou highlighted the importance of local government in combating exclusion and mentioned the initiatives taken by the Attica region against anti-Roma sentiment, while honoring the late Deputy Regional Governor for his contributions to Roma solidarity.

Greece News Western Europe

Settlement

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Settlement

The article discusses the plight of 25 Roma families in Riganokampos whose makeshift homes collapsed due to recent heavy rains, prompting local organizations to assess the damage and call for assistance.

The local municipality’s response has been criticized as inadequate, with calls for more permanent solutions, such as providing small prefabricated containers for the families.

The article also touches on political discourse, highlighting a miscommunication regarding unemployment benefits and criticizing the hypocrisy in media coverage of a basketball federation president’s selective press conference.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece and Roma

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Greece and Roma

On September 15, mayors from the municipalities of Thermi and Thermaikos met with Michael O’Flaherty, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, to discuss the living conditions of Roma communities in the area.

The mayors expressed concerns about the dire conditions in the Roma settlement in Tsairia, including lack of electricity and water, and highlighted issues of crime and inadequate policing.

O’Flaherty emphasized the importance of social services in supporting the Roma and called for collaboration with local authorities to improve their living conditions and ensure children’s education.

O’Flaherty highlighted the ongoing human rights violations faced by Roma, including lack of access to healthcare and educational segregation, and called for Europe to wake up to these issues.

The exhibition, showcasing the lives and rights of Roma and Travellers, will be held in Thessaloniki until September 18, 2026, featuring works by photographers George Moutafis and Candice Imbert.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece and Roma

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Greece and Roma

During a concert in Thessaloniki, singer Antonis Remos humorously referenced politician Afroditi Latinopoulou in relation to the Gipsy Kings’ performance, linking it to her public dispute with Roma singer Vasilis Paiteris over her use of the term “gypsies” (she used the Greek derogatory giftoi).

Remos suggested that Latinopoulou would be the ideal political figure to attend the concert, eliciting laughter from the audience.

In response, Latinopoulou posted a video on Instagram stating she chose not to attend the concert in protest of the band’s name, expressing she would have attended if it were called “Roma Kings.”

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