Category Archives: Slovenia

Slovenia, Roma, and Health

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The Lendava People’s University, together with eight partners from seven other countries, is completing a three-year project that aims to contribute to better physical and mental health of members of the Roma community. The data show that the life expectancy of Roma is sometimes as much as nine years shorter than that of the majority population.

Slovenia and Roma

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An initiative in Slovenia in the Črnomelj library started fairy-tale meetings in the multipurpose Roma centre for Roma children. According to the article After school, children can come to nicely decorated and warm rooms, where they create, cook, do homework, go out together into nature, on trips, even to the sea. Sounds a bit too good to be true, and the tone and the statements seem to indicate that the children don’t live in such nice conditions.

Slovenia: Conference

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Discrimination is a big issue in Slovenia, but everyone can help ensure that everyone receives decent treatment and equal opportunities. These are the main messages of the conference of the European co-financed project Let’s face discrimination, with which the Defender of the Principle of Equality, the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television of the University of Ljubljana (AGRFT), the Association of Municipalities of Slovenia and the Prizma Foundation raise awareness about protection against discrimination.

International Romanes Day

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Two articles, one from Slovenia, one from Montenegro on the International Romanes Day. The one from Slovenia, says the language as being threatened, as parents do not teach it anymore to their children.

Romanes in Slovenia

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On the occasion of November 5th World Roma Language Day, the Association of Roma in Slovenia has prepared a seminar entitled Researching the Roma language from the perspective of Romanology. At the seminar, the representatives of the Union of Roma of Slovenia pointed out that they are facing the challenge that Roma children no longer speak Romanes. This is what they want to change.

Murska Sobota Festival of Roma culture

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The Roma Culture Festival started on Thursday at the Youth and Cultural Club in Murska Sobota. The Roma Association of Slovenia has been preparing the music and dance event for more than 10 years. Roma and non-Roma music and dance groups, musicians of various nationalities, and Roma and non-Roma children will perform under the slogan All the same – all different.

Slovenia: Attacks

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On Monday, a group of Roma walked past the Novo mesto School Centre and attacked several students who were coming to school. Several students were injured and had to go to hospital. The police, who do not know the reason behind this attack, managed to catch most of the attackers.

This is not good.

Slovenia and Roma

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Bojan Kekec is a member of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia. He gave an interview to the press on Roma saying that “Living with them is very difficult. I don’t know how they would look in Ljubljana or other places when a beehive or grain in a field is set on fire. Such actions are unacceptable. There is a lot of crime and misdemeanours.”

Again, the picture chosen is not an actual photograph of the places mentioned, but just a stock picture, perpetuating the stereotypes.

So Vakeres?

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The Roma show So vakeres (What are you talking about?) is broadcasted twice a month and is created by Roma journalists. It provides an opportunity to preserve Roma culture and present it to those who do not yet know it. Their creators hope and wish that these shows would also help to reduce prejudice against the Roma.

Slovenia: Roma Councillor

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Another article about the need for a Roma councillor in the town of Dobruška where 350 Roma live. Apparently, only two Roma have work.

The newspaper put up a picture which has nothing to do with the subject, as it does not portrays the situation in that town, but rather shows a settlement somewhere, and of course shows poverty, a caravan etc.

Slovenian and the Roma “Problem”

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Another article on the Slovenian village of Dobruška and its “Roma Problem”. According to the article, 350 Roma live there, and only two have work. Again, the question whether a Roma councillor would help.

In all these articles, the real question, i.e. why are all these Roma unemployed, is only addressed in a one way direction: Roma re not qualified, do not want to work, and so on, but never, that even with qualifications, nobody wants to give them work.

Slovenia and the Roma “Problem”

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In the Slovenian municipality of Škocjan, the population feels there is a real Roma “problem”. The question asked is whether a Roma councillor in the municipal council (OS) could help solve the problems? The municipality of Škocjan does not have one, because it is not a “Rom” municipality. About 350 Roma live there, which is 10 percent of the entire population, 20 percent of Roma children attend .

Slovenia and Roma

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Bojan Kekecis a member of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia. Last week, he gave an interview about the changes to some laws that relate to the Roma issue. “Living with them is very difficult. I don’t know how they would look in Ljubljana or other places when a beehive or grain in a field is set on fire. Such actions are unacceptable. There is a lot of crime and misdemeanours.”

No comments …

Slovenia and a Missionary

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An interview with Matic Vidic who is employed by the Slovenian Army where he takes care of spiritual care in the Novo mesto and Cerklje ob Krka barracks. He is a permanent deacon in the diocese of Novo mesto, and he teaches religious education to children. He also does pastoral work with Roma and wants to help Roma to improve their lives and to improve the bad relations between the local population and Roma.

Slovenia and Roma

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The Slovene Ombudsman Peter Svetina visited the municipalities of Škocjan, Sevnica and Radeče, where he met with mayors. In Škocjan, he was informed about the problems they have with individual Roma. At the same time, Svetina emphasized that positive discrimination against the Roma minority cannot discriminate against the rights of the majority population. After the meeting he clarified the statemen, saying Roma population have legislation which protects them, “but positive discrimination cannot discriminate against the rights of the majority population”, but the right balance must be found. “Also, protective legislation does not give the Roma population a free hand for criminal acts”.

Slovenia and the Mayor’s Initiative

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The initiative and law proposal presented by Slovenian Mayors aimed solely at Roma has been defeated in the Slovenian parliament.
The Labour Committee of the National Assembly rejected most of the mayor’s for regulating the situation of children from difficult social environments, with which the mayors of 11 Slovenian municipalities, among other things, wanted to start “solving” the “Roma problem”.

Positive Discrimination?

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A statement by the Ombudsman Peter Svetina can raise a few eyebrows.  He visited the municipalities of Škocjan, Sevnica and Radeče, where he met with the mayors and opened the Ombudsman’s Corner. In Škocjan, he was informed about the problems they have with individual Roma. He Svetina emphasized that positive discrimination against the Roma minority cannot discriminate against the rights of the majority population.

Slovenia and Roma ‘Criminality’

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Another article about the attack of two brothers by Roma in Slovenia. The two Lopatec brothers in Dobrava near Škocjan were cleaning the a ditch with an excavator and a tractor when they were attacked by Roma. They threatened them with weapons, and then attacked the two policemen who intervened in the intervention, in the end three were slightly injured.

What the background is, is totally unclear, but the numbers of articles focusing on Roma “crime” is scary.

Slovenia and Roma

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An interview with a catholic deacon on the “Roma Problem” in Slovenia. The deacon is not that clear cut on the roots of the problem and far less on potential solutions. Well, he at least helps some Roma.

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