Category Archives: Greece

Greece News Western Europe

Remedial Teaching

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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

Published by:

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.”

Greece News Western Europe

Greece: Motion

Published by:

Greece: Motion

Four members of the New Left party in Greece raised concerns in Parliament about alleged racist targeting of Roma by the Greek police during the “ENTOΣ” operation, particularly regarding the attempted eviction of a Roma community in Thessaloniki.

The European Commissioner for Human Rights has intervened, highlighting police practices that involve heavily armed forces in areas associated with Roma, raising issues of ethnic targeting and police violence.

The MPs are demanding detailed reports from the government on the number of police checks, arrests, and legal proceedings involving the Roma community, questioning the justification for the extensive police actions given the relatively small number of arrests compared to the population.

Greece News Western Europe

Thessaly and Roma

Published by:

Thessaly and Roma

The Meeting of the Roma Federation of Thessaly with the Deputy Regional Governor Andriana Komitsa focused on initiatives by the Thessaly Region to support vulnerable social groups, particularly the Roma community, addressing issues like education, health, and employment.

Emphasis was placed on targeted interventions tailored to local Roma community needs, combating social exclusion, and improving access to services.

The discussion included the importance of ongoing communication and collaboration between the Thessaly Region and the Roma Federation to enhance the living conditions of Roma families.

Greece News Western Europe

Thessaloniki Exhibition

Published by:

Thessaloniki Exhibition

ThePressProject and the Islahane Cultural Center in Thessaloniki will host a photography exhibition titled “The 12 Million We Ignore” from September 14-18, focusing on the lives and rights of Roma and Travellers in Europe.

The exhibition will feature photographs and testimonies collected over a year, highlighting issues such as forced sterilizations, segregation in schools, and institutional neglect faced by these communities.

The opening on September 15 will include discussions with Roma community members and a performance by a youth percussion band, aiming to raise awareness and promote equality.

Greece News Western Europe

Crete and Roma

Published by:

Crete and Roma

The Pan-Cretan Association of Greek Roma Citizens is seeking legal action following a leptospirosis incident involving an 11-year-old girl living in a Roma settlement in Heraklion.

The association’s president described the living conditions in the settlement as a serious public health issue, urging local authorities to take immediate action to improve sanitation and protect residents.

The municipality claims that cleaning crews work almost daily in the area, but face challenges due to improper waste disposal by residents, complicating sanitation efforts.

Greece News Western Europe

Greek Editorial …

Published by:

Greek Editorial …

In a reputed Greek newspaper, I Kathimerini, a Journalist, Takis Theodoropoulos went on rampage. He says tht the integration fo Roma in Greece has failed (there, he is not wrong), but makes statements such as”

“As is known, the Roma, unlike all other Greeks, are subsidized to send their children to school and most of them, when their parents receive the amount, disappear.”

He claims the generosity of the state is due to upcoming elections, and also speaks about criminality:

‘I am not just referring to uncontrolled delinquency, carrying weapons or stealing copper.”

All in all, appart from lamenting the lack of integration, he puts implicitly all the fault on Roma themselves.

A bit easy…

Η αποτυχημένη ένταξη των Ρομά. In: I Kathimerini. 28.07.2026. https://www.kathimerini.gr/opinion/564369919/i-apotychimeni-entaxi-ton-roma/

Greece News Western Europe

Police Operation

Published by:

Police Operation

A police operation in the Roma settlements of Aspropyrgos led to the arrest of 16 individuals for electricity theft, with 2,380 meters of illegally used cables removed by the DEDDHE (Public Power Corporation).

The arrested individuals face charges for electricity theft and violations of the Road Traffic Code, including driving without a license and not wearing seatbelts.

The operation involved multiple police units and was coordinated by the Western Attica Police Directorate, with support from traffic police and a drone.

rroma.org
en_GBEN
de_DEDE fr_FRFR en_GBEN