The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), ahead of International Roma Day on 8 April, said that more needs to be done to combat racism and discrimination and to protect Romnja.
One year after the adoption of the first action plan of the Strategy for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation until 2030, it will be necessary to strengthen communication and monitoring of the completion of the tasks. Ján Hero, the representative of the Slovak government for Roma communities, admitted it. Former Roma plenipotentiary, current Member of the European Parliament Peter Pollák Sr. points out that even the perfect strategy and action plan cannot improve the situation of marginalized Roma if all those involved do not make increased efforts.
A round table was held in Ukraine’s Commissioner’s Secretariat on the occasion of the International Roma Day. The discussion was attended by the management and representatives of the Office of the Ombudsman, Ukrainian state institutions, international and public organizations.
During the introductory speech, Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets noted that the issue of the status of national communities is one of the conditions for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, therefore this issue is extremely important for Ukraine as a whole and for the work of the Ombudsman’s Office. In particular, the protection of the rights of the Roma minority, which is one of the most vulnerable national communities.
Acting General Director of Vojvodina Radio and Television, Jožef Klem, and the President of the National Council of the Roma National Minority, Dalibor Nakić, discussed the possibilities and ways to improve programs in the Roma language in Novi Sad. They also highlighted the problems that hinder further progress.
The President of the Association of Roma in Slovenia, Jožek Horvat Muc, says that assessments of the situation of Roma in Slovenia vary, depending on who gives them, but in his opinion, this is better than in many other countries. Compared to other EU countries, the position of the Roma is relatively good, but there are also areas to which more attention should be paid, the President of the Roma Association, Jožek Horvat Muc, and the Director of the Office for Nationalities, Stanko Baluh, warn ahead of World Roma Day. In doing so, they highlight the areas of education, employment and security.
Frankly, this is not quite the truth. The situation is quite bad, as the press in Slovenia loves to highlight.
April 8, 2023, is the 52nd International Roma Day and on this occasion the Roma flag will be hung in ten Berlin districts – due to the Easter holidays this year on April 6th. On the occasion of the “International Roma Day” numerous events take place in Berlin and nationwide.
The Councilor for Social Policies Funari states that the goal is to achieve true inclusion and the right to citizenship of the Roma who live around Rome. For 69% of Romans, the minority “is a threat” (57% among Italians).
There are problems and they are undeniable: the real estate market, which concerns all Romans, and then the racism that continues to exist, and the further discrimination, caused by the institutions and for which we can only apologize.
The text responds to the recommendation of the Council of the European Union to address the socio-economic exclusion of Roma and Sinti in the EU and in the enlargement countries, “promoting equal access to education, employment, assistance health and housing, inviting Member States to design national Roma and Sinti integration strategies.” The new plan focuses on the enhancement of Roma culture and at the same time on the fight against anti-Gypsyism.
They’d better resolve the issue of the Roma camps …
Germany has resumed the deportation of rejected refugees. This is particularly controversial in the case of Moldova. Most of the people from Moldova requesting asylum in Germany are Roma, and there, they are discriminated against.
An article on 4 books about exceptional women. What is truly exceptional is that one of this book is one written by a Czech Romni Elena Lacková’s called “I was born under a happy star”. The first author is Elena Lacková with her memoirs, the second is the Czech romani studies professor Milena Hubschmannová, who recorded them all, transcribed them and prepared them for printing.
The Serbian Minister of Culture, Maja Gojković, said on the occasion of the gala evening in the House of the Army, organized on the occasion of the International Day of the Roma, that fostering friendship and coexistence, equally interwoven with victories and sufferings, the Roma today are an inseparable and extremely important and valuable part of our society.
Gojković pointed out that the Roma community is an integral part of society and that it has always considered Serbia its homeland, just like the Serbian people, and that it is important to make our climate a better place for both Serbs and Roma to live, as well as all other nations and national minorities that they live in Serbia.
Really????
An article in the Czech press about Čeija Stojka, who survived the Holocaust, and went to write a book about it and paint.
She was a great woman.
The upcoming elections in Bulgaria represent a key moment both for the political crisis in the country and for its Roma. For too long, Roma have been systematically excluded from mainstream politics and left vulnerable to those in power. However, new anti-corruption parties have emerged that offer policies that offer hope for change.
While their efforts are laudable, they must recognize that systemic state failures are inextricably linked to the plight of the Roma and require a comprehensive approach to address them. Failure to do so risks perpetuating anti-Roma corruption, symbolism and racism. The election results will determine the lasting progress and stability of Bulgaria and whether the country can truly become an inclusive and fair democracy that represents all its citizens. The Roma refuse to be marginalized anymore and are determined to challenge the status quo to make their voices heard. It is up to the political class to recognize their ability and determination and work towards a more inclusive and just political system.
A video on Roma and work. It cites Jan Hero, the plenipotentiary of the Slovak Government for Roma, who says that the society has not made great progress in employing Roma. But is also says that “some Roma simply do not want to work”.
Bad.
Again, and unfortunately as usual, supporters of the AC Roma insulted a player by calling him a Gypsy. Racism among supporters is just not acceptable, but everywhere, authorities turn a blind eye. They should be fined and banned from the stadiums.
On the occasion of International Roma Day, Fidesz EP representative Lívia Járóka organized a contemporary art exhibition entitled “Time of the Gypsies” in honor of the diverse and special Roma culture and art in the EP building in Brussels.
By presenting the works of eleven Roma visual artists of Hungarian origin, the exhibition explores the unique perspectives of Roma visual art and describes its diverse style and specific traditions in its pictorial world.
Lívia Járóka is herself subject of controverses: She is firmly behind Viktor Orban, and thus in effect and in spite of her origins, supports discrimination and segregation of Roma in Hungary.
Well, unfortunately, discrimination against Sinti and Roma in Germany is on the rise again.
Some different topics this week, in addition of the usual litany of evictions and crime. An article and an exhibition in the South of France on Roma art and artists. A concert and an exhibition for April 8th in Montpellier. Then the more usual: In Marseilles, a camp was closed. In the North, a camp is threatened with closure, even though it was legally set up in 2010. In Annemasse, near Switzerland, a new squat behind the railway station. And finally, 3 dead and 5 wounded after a fatal car crash during a car chase between rival Roma gangs in Strasbourg.
Une course-poursuite filmée à l’origine de l’accident mortel au Port-du-Rhin. In: Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace. 28.03.2023. https://www.dna.fr/faits-divers-justice/2023/03/28/un-contentieux-entre-roms-roumains-a-l-origine-de-l-accident-mortel-au-port-du-rhin
Bulgarian elections are coming, and with them articles about vote buying, especially in Roma communities. On one of the dark days of the last election week, the leaders of the Roma community in the neighborhood of the village of Kalipetrovo, located near Silistra, gathered for a cup of tea to share their grievance that “they promised to buy them a bicycle, but another time”. This other time, however, there are not even promises.
They are happy with their mayor, but one bird does not make spring. And they want simple things – a better life for the grandchildren they are raising while their sons and daughters are in England and somewhere else in the world.
The topic of employing disadvantaged applicants on the labour market is more and more a hot topic in Slovakia. According to the Association for Culture, Education and Communication, the finalists of the Roma Spirit award are a real proof of effectiveness in the inclusion in the employment of low-qualified persons. In this context, the government representative for Roma communities, Ján Hero, stated that the percentage of employed people from marginalized Roma communities is growing only very slowly, but the situation is improving. While meeting employers awarded within the framework of Roma Spirit, which took place this week in Poprad this week, Jan Hero stated:
“With segregation and non-inclusive approaches, the concentration of poverty multiplies, and it is very difficult to get out of that situation. We have experience that Roma people also get jobs outside their homes, but they often do not have a permanent job and thus even better housing is more inaccessible for them.”
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