The Bern youth wing of the Swiss rightist party SVP went overboard in the canton Bern. They published a cartoon on the Internet against “Zigeuner” which states:
“Millions for building and maintenance, dirt, faeces, theft, etc. against the will of the population.”
We say NO to the camping sites for foreign Gypsies”
REALLY? This is racist. [link-preview url=””]
Roma Slavery
An article on the Roma slavery in Romania on the anniversary of its abolition.
– Roma Slavery is Historical Trauma. In: Harvard Center for Health and Human Rights. https://fxb.harvard.edu/roma-slavery-is-historical-trauma/ [link-preview url=”https://fxb.harvard.edu/roma-slavery-is-historical-trauma/”]
Movies and Roma …
A conference on the theme of Antitziganism and Movies started in Berlin on Wednesday, February 21st. The conference was convened on the back of the controversy of the German television movie “Nelly’s Adventures” which depicted Roma in a negative and stereotypical way. These stereotypes are all too often present in movies as soon as Roma are present. This needs to stop.
– ANTIZIGANISMUS IM FILM: DIE PRODUKTION VON RASSISTISCHEN STEREOTYPE. In: Belltower News. 22.02.2018. http://www.belltower.news/artikel/antiziganismus-im-film-die-produktion-von-rassistischen-stereotype-13363 [link-preview url=”http://www.belltower.news/artikel/antiziganismus-im-film-die-produktion-von-rassistischen-stereotype-13363″]
More on Frankfurt
The story of the stamp and the note on the passport of a Romni from Romania continues to feed the news. It made it to the Romanian news, where they noted that the German administration effectively defaced property of the Romanian State (yes, the passport). It continues to get coverage in Germany, as it is all too reminiscent of practices of the Nazis.
– Bedenkliche Vermerke in Pässen: Will Frankfurt obdachlose Roma-Migranten vertreiben? In: Sputnik. 21.02.2018. https://de.sputniknews.com/panorama/20180221319658092-deutschland-frankfurt-sinti-roma-vertreiben/
– Ţigani români, în centrul unui nou SCANDAL: Riscă expulzarea din Germania – ‘Comportament scandalos’. In: Stiripesurse. 22.02.2018. https://www.stiripesurse.ro/tigani-romani–in-centrul-unui-nou-scandal–risca-expulzarea-din-germania—-comportament-scandalos-_1250381.html [link-preview url=”https://de.sputniknews.com/panorama/20180221319658092-deutschland-frankfurt-sinti-roma-vertreiben/ “]
Slovenia and Roma
More reactions in Slovenia following the publications of an Amnesty International report on the situation of refugees and Roma in Slovenia. The report says that the country does too little to stop discrimination and segregation against Roma.
– AI: Slovenija se nikakor ne more pohvaliti glede sprejemanja beguncev. In: RTV SLO. 22.02.2018. http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/ai-slovenija-se-nikakor-ne-more-pohvaliti-glede-sprejemanja-beguncev/446745
– Odnos do Romov in beguncev pod drobnogledom. In: Delo. 22.02.2018. https://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/odnos-do-romov-in-beguncev-pod-drobnogledom.html
– Amnesty International Notes Plight of Refugees and Roma in Slovenia. In: STA. 22.02.2018. http://www.total-slovenia-news.com/news/705-amnesty-international-notes-plight-of-refugees-and-roma-in-slovenia [link-preview url=”https://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/odnos-do-romov-in-beguncev-pod-drobnogledom.html “]
Slovenia, Refugees, and Roma
Slovenia has been slammed by Amnesty International for undermining the rights of refugees and for the continuing discrimination and seggergation of Roma.
– AI v letnem poročilu opozarja na slab položaj beguncev, Romov in izbrisanih v Sloveniji. In: STA. 22.02.2018. https://www.sta.si/2485287/ai-v-letnem-porocilu-opozarja-na-slab-polozaj-beguncev-romov-in-izbrisanih-v-sloveniji [link-preview url=”https://www.sta.si/2485287/ai-v-letnem-porocilu-opozarja-na-slab-polozaj-beguncev-romov-in-izbrisanih-v-sloveniji”]
Begging and Frankfort
Seems that the Frankfort authorities are trying to get rid of homeless Roma beggars. The story recently with a stamp in the passport and the comments “aggressive begging” written in the passport are apparently the tip of the iceberg.
Bad.
– Frankfurt authorities are ‘trying to drive homeless Roma out of town’, says rights group. In: The Local. 21.02.2018. https://www.thelocal.de/20180221/frankfurt-authorities-are-trying-to-drive-homeless-roma-out-of-town-says-rights-group [link-preview url=”https://www.thelocal.de/20180221/frankfurt-authorities-are-trying-to-drive-homeless-roma-out-of-town-says-rights-group”]
Inspirational Stories
A series of portraits of Roma role models in Slovakia. These are part of the new initiative launched a while back by the Dive association to reduce stereotypes and promote integration.
– Inšpiratívne príbehy najúspešnejších slovenských Rómov: Úprimne, dokázali by ste toto? In: Topky. 22.02.2018. http://www.topky.sk/cl/10/1690529/Inspirativne-pribehy-najuspesnych-slovenskych-Romov–Uprimne–dokazali-by-ste-toto- [link-preview url=”http://www.topky.sk/cl/10/1690529/Inspirativne-pribehy-najuspesnych-slovenskych-Romov–Uprimne–dokazali-by-ste-toto-“]
A Parallel
An article making a parallel between Roma and African Americans due to slavery. Historically, one has to be careful because Roma slavery existed only in Wallachia and Moldova (which later became part of Romania) and to a lesser extent in other regions of Transylvania. Nowhere else. So the parallel is very valid in Romania itself, but cannot be generalised.
– Roma and African Americans share a common struggle. In: The Guardian. 20.02.2018. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/20/roma-african-americans-common-struggle [link-preview url=”https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/20/roma-african-americans-common-struggle”]
Czech Republic and Holocaust
Following the statements by Tomio Okamura and consorts regarding the Roma Holocaust in the Czech Republic (almost all Roma were killed), a Czech historian reminds his fellow citizen of what really happened.
– Czech historian reminds public that cruel abuse was perpetrated at concentration camp for Roma in Moravia. In: Romea.cz. 20.02.2018. http://www.romea.cz/en/news/czech/czech-historian-reminds-public-that-cruel-abuse-was-perpetrated-at-concentration-camp-for-roma-in-moravia [link-preview url=”http://www.romea.cz/en/news/czech/czech-historian-reminds-public-that-cruel-abuse-was-perpetrated-at-concentration-camp-for-roma-in-moravia”]
Really????
The so-called “Ordnungsamt” – Office of Order – of the city of Frankfurt is in the middle of a controversy. One of their employees stamped the passport of a Romanian Romni with the official office’s stamp and wrote on the passport “Was met while aggressively begging”.
Not only is this illegal but it also reminds one of the past. Let’s hope the person who did this gets booted out.
– Ordnungsamt-Stempel im Pass einer Romni sorgt für Aufsehen. In: Merkurist. 16.02.2018. https://merkurist.de/frankfurt/repressalien-ordnungsamt-stempel-im-pass-einer-romni-sorgt-fuer-aufsehen_tIl [link-preview url=”https://merkurist.de/frankfurt/repressalien-ordnungsamt-stempel-im-pass-einer-romni-sorgt-fuer-aufsehen_tIl”]
Holocaust Memorial Day
The Czech Government Council is proposing to formally recognise the Roma Holocaust Memorial Day (August 2nd), the day commemorating the liquidation of the Roma camp in Auschwitz.
– Gov’t council for declaring Roma Holocaust memorial day. In: The Prague Monitor. 19.02.2018. http://praguemonitor.com/2018/02/19/govt-council-declaring-roma-holocaust-memorial-day [link-preview url=”http://praguemonitor.com/2018/02/19/govt-council-declaring-roma-holocaust-memorial-day”]
Germany: Treaty
The German State of Bavaria signed a treaty with the State Association of the Sinti and Roma aimed at achieving a better integration and a reduction of the discrimination they face in that state.
Good!
– Staatsregierung unterzeichnet Vertrag mit Sinti und Roma. In: Die Welt. 20.02.2018. https://www.welt.de/regionales/bayern/article173758265/Staatsregierung-unterzeichnet-Vertrag-mit-Sinti-und-Roma.html [link-preview url=”https://www.welt.de/regionales/bayern/article173758265/Staatsregierung-unterzeichnet-Vertrag-mit-Sinti-und-Roma.html”]
Slovakia: Stories
Stories in Slovakia of Roma who managed to overcome the barriers that often prevents them from succeeding. One is the story of Daniel, 16 years old, speaking 5 language and who now has a scholarship. There are others.
– Toto sú príbehy Rómov, ktorí prekonali prekážky a sú vzorom pre všetkých. In: TV Noviny. 18.02.2018. http://www.tvnoviny.sk/domace/1907322_toto-su-pribehy-romov-ktori-prekonali-prekazky-a-su-vzorom-pre-vsetkych [link-preview url=”http://www.tvnoviny.sk/domace/1907322_toto-su-pribehy-romov-ktori-prekonali-prekazky-a-su-vzorom-pre-vsetkych”]
New Program in the Cirque Romanes
New Program in the Cirque Romanes [link-preview url=””]
Poland & Slovakia
The appeal trial of three Slovakian Roma, accused of a series of frauds in Poland against older people, has now come to an end. The accused were defrauding elderly people on claims of urgent need of money for health reasons.
They risk several years behind bars.
– Białystok: koniec procesu Romów ze Słowacji oskarżonych o oszustwa. In: ONet. 16.02.2018. https://bialystok.onet.pl/bialystok-koniec-procesu-romow-ze-slowacji-oskarzonych-o-oszustwa/gmn3ssr [link-preview url=”https://bialystok.onet.pl/bialystok-koniec-procesu-romow-ze-slowacji-oskarzonych-o-oszustwa/gmn3ssr”]
A Book
The critique of a book inspired by the history of the Roma in former Czechoslovakia. It is easy for such books to bring out many of the stereotypes. So to be looked at carefully!
– Theresa Kishkan sur la route des Roms. In: Le Devoir. 17.02.2018. http://www.ledevoir.com/lire/520314/theresa-kishkan-sur-la-route-des-roms [link-preview url=”http://www.ledevoir.com/lire/520314/theresa-kishkan-sur-la-route-des-roms”]
Nazif Mujić Died
The award winning Bosnian Roma actor Nazif Mujić died last Sundy in utter poverty in Bosnia, five years after having won the silver bear at the Berlin festival.
May he rest in peace.
– Bären-Gewinner Nazif Mujić stirbt mittellos in Bosnien. In: Der Tagesspiegel. 18.02.2018. http://www.tagesspiegel.de/kultur/fuenf-jahre-nach-berlinale-triumph-baeren-gewinner-nazif-muji-stirbt-mittellos-in-bosnien/20976416.html
– Award-winning Bosnian Roma actor dies penniless. In: The Malay Online. 18.02.2018. http://www.themalaymailonline.com/showbiz/article/award-winning-bosnian-roma-actor-dies-penniless#TyRpiqBvk4HrOH7r.97
– Nazif Mujić Dies: Bosnian Actor & Berlin Award Winner. In: Deadline. 18.02.2018. http://deadline.com/2018/02/bosnian-actor-berlin-award-winner-nazif-mujic-passes-away-1202293996/
– Berlin: Bosnian Actor and Silver Bear Winner Nazif Mujic Dies at 48. In: The Hollywood Reporter. 18.02.2018. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/berlin-bosnian-actor-silver-bear-winner-nazif-mujic-dies-at-48-1085956
– La Berlinale pleure l’acteur Nazif Mujic récompensé en 2013. In: Paris Match. 18.02.2018. http://www.parismatch.com/Culture/Cinema/La-Berlinale-pleure-l-acteur-Nazif-Mujic-recompense-en-2013-1462991
– Preminuo Nazif Mujić, dobitnik Srebrenog medvjeda. In: N1. 18.02.2018. http://ba.n1info.com/a244148/Vijesti/Vijesti/Preminuo-Nazif-Mujic.html
– Preminuo dobitnik “Srebrnog medveda” Nazif Mujić. In: Blic. 18.02.2018. https://www.blic.rs/vesti/republika-srpska/preminuo-dobitnik-srebrnog-medveda-nazif-mujic/pg0vqpt
– Nazif Mujic (1970-2018). In: CM. 19.02.2018. http://www.cmjornal.pt/mais-cm/obituario/detalhe/nazif-mujic-1970-2018
– Winnaar van Zilveren Beer voor Beste Acteur sterft in armoe. In: GVA. 18.02.2018. http://www.gva.be/cnt/dmf20180218_03363414/winnaar-van-zilveren-beer-voor-beste-acteur-sterft-in-armoede [link-preview url=”https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/berlin-bosnian-actor-silver-bear-winner-nazif-mujic-dies-at-48-1085956 “]
In Poland!
In Poland! [link-preview url=””]
Hungary: Increased Police Controls
The Hungarian police has been given extended rights to conduct identity and physical checks based on a “heightened state of alert” … Note that the police conducts many checks, more than a million a year for a population of less than ten million.
There is a real fear that these extra powers will be negatively felt by the Roma minority.
– National Commissioner of Police ordains increased police control, again. In: Budapest Beacon. 17.02.2018. https://budapestbeacon.com/national-commissioner-police-ordains-increased-police-control/ [link-preview url=”https://budapestbeacon.com/national-commissioner-police-ordains-increased-police-control/”]
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