Italie Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest

17.05.2013 Rroma in Italy

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The documentary “Lashi Vita” tells the story of the origin of pogroms against Rroma in Italy which started in early 2007. That year, an Italian woman was murdered by a Rrom, leading to a wave of xenophobia and racially motivated violence. The documentary goes to the roots of racial prejudice and examines the gray area between human rights, legislation, and social practice as lived in human interactions. The State’s practice practise of enclosed Rroma camps with systematic monitoring and categorising of the inmates shocks, and can be qualified in terms of Orwellian state surveillance state of alien bodies. (Mundi Romani 2008)

Source:

Hongire Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest

17.05.2013 Rroma in Hungary

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Pester Lloyd (2013) presents the doings of a Rroma mayor in Cserdi in southern Hungary. Many local Hungarians and Rroma respect László Bogdán as being a local leader. He thus represents a contrast to many other communities in Hungary, which elected rightwing politicians. Since 2006, Bogdán is committed to the cooperation between Rroma and Magyars in his village. Through his initiative, with the help of grandparents children are better prepared to school, attendance and truancy rates have fallen. The village Cserdi is a good example showing that the adopted national Rroma strategy should be implemented just not only nationally but first locally. Under Bogdan’s leadership, a farming cooperation has been created and many houses were renovated by community work. He plans to create a Roma skanzen, a traditional Rroma village, for touristic and cultural purposes, which also will create new jobs. The village Cserdi is, as stressed by the Pester Lloyd, a rarity, but one that actually represents the “manifestation of a possible normality”. It remains an exception in Hungary until further notice.

Pester Lloyd (2013/II) also reports on the increased severity of penalties against Rroma in Hungary. Nine young Rroma were found guilty by the court of Miskolc to have attacked four Magyars in a car and to have done so for racist motives. The special feature of the case is the fact that the attacked Magyars belonged to the National Guard, which had previously been deployed in the place in question and who acted against Rroma. The defendants sat two years in custody prior to the trial.

The newspaper “Magyar Hírlap” where Zsolt Bayer called with in a column for the extermination of Rroma, was condemned by the Hungarian Media Council because of the publication of the article to a fine of 800 euro. In addition to the fine, the newspaper must publish the decision of the Media Council in one issue. The really fundamental question, namely the incitement to hatred and racial discrimination was rejected by the relevant courts, however, since no “real and immediate threat” of the verbally attacked minority existed. That verbal incitement goes unpunished in Hungary is very questionable. It shows lack of understanding about the historical experience that hate just does not begin with physical actions, starts with hate speech (Pester Lloyd 2013/III).

Sources:

  • Pester Lloyd (2013) Der Best-practice-Zigeuner. In: Pester Lloyd vom 14.5.2013.
  • Pester Lloyd (2013/II) Verschärfte Haftstrafen gegen “rassistische” Roma, Schnellverfahren gegen Nazis in Ungarn. In: Pester Lloyd vom 11.5.2013.
  • Pester Lloyd (2013/III) Medienrat in Ungarn bestraft Hetze gegen Roma mit Geldbuße. In: Pester Lloyd vom 9.5.2013. 
France Hongire Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest Roumanie

17.05.2013 Rroma in France

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Casabianca (2013) reports on the eviction of a Rroma camp on the river Var, in the Cote d’Azur. Despite protests and support from organizations such as Amnesty International, the local Rroma had to leave their camp. Bulldozers from the commune then cleared the camp that was under a bridge next to the river. Critics complain that this ripped schooled children away from their classes, and that it went against a successful integration despite the precarious sanitary conditions.

To date, no alternative accommodation was found for those affected. Eric Ciotti, UMP deputy, on the other hand showed his inflexible stance towards Rroma: “Leur place est en Roumanie et en Hongrie, pas dans les Alpes-Maritimes. […] Europe a donné 20 milliards d’euros à ces pays pour qu’ils intègrent correctement les Roms. Il faut que ce gouvernement socialiste fasse preuve de fermeté ou exige que ces pays sortent de l’Europe. Parce qu’on ne va pas laisser des bidonvilles s’installer un peu partout aux portes de nos agglomérations” [Their place is in Romania and in Hungary, not in the Alpes-Maritimes … Europe gave 20 billion euro to these countries so that they properly integrate Rroma. The socialist government needs to show firmness or request that those countries leave the European Union. Because we will not tolerate new slums near our agglomerations] (Nice Matin, 2013).

Sources:

  • Casabianca, Pierre-Olivier (2013) Les Roms installés sur la rive gauche du Var quittent leur campement. In: France 3 online vom 17.5.2013. 
  • Nice Matin (2013) Les Roms des rives du Var en sursis. In: Nice Matin vom 15.5.2013. 
Bulgarie Allemagne Hongire Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest Roumanie

17.05.2013 Rroma Debate in Germany

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Schupelius (2013) is critical of the “Action Plan for the integration of foreign Roma” proposed by the Senator for Integration Dilek Kolat (SPD). Kolat worked together with several research groups in recent months to define steps for a successful integration of immigrant Rroma. Among the recommended measures one finds tenant counselling, promoting enrolment of Rroma children in school, prevention of violence and the psychological support for prostitutes. The action plan will very likely not be implemented due to lack of funds. Schupelius criticized the months of work of the working groups under Kolat, whose catalogue of measures, being obvious, does not justifythe required research time.

RBB (2013) reports on the planned shelter for 22 Rroma families in Berlin-Charlottenburg. Because the owner of the designated property does not share the politicians’ plans, the projected emergency housing did not come to be. The Integration Commissioner Monika Lüke accused the leaders to have acted clumsily in selecting the locality and to have presented the decision to the district authorities as a fait accompli.

Krampitz (2013) discusses the work of Duisburg’s pastor Dieter Herberth. He works for the successful integration and acceptance of immigrant Rroma. He sees the immigrants from Southeast Europe as poverty migrants who see no future in their homeland. Those who find any work, even modestly paid, tend to stay in their country. He sees the idea that immigration exists solely to benefit from social services social funds as flawed. “Only people in difficult social circumstances come to NRW (North Rhine Westphalia).” Herberth requests the residents more tolerance towards Rroma. Integration does not happen overnight. The immigrants are often members of Gurbets group who is be particularly discriminated against in Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.

Steeger (2013) gives information on a Rroma celebration in Neukölln. The “Herdelezi”, a festival in honour of Saint George and the patron saint of Rroma, was celebrated with lots of music and enthusiasm. It was organized by the youth organization Foro Amaro, an organisation where Rroma and Gadje are working together and committed to a tolerant, non-racist society. Herdelezi is celebrated by both Muslim and Orthodox Christian Roma all over the Balkan.

Sources:

  • Krampitz, Martin (2013) Pfarrer wirbt um Verständnis für Roma in Duisburg-Bergheim. In: Der Westen vom 13.5.2013.
  • RBB (2013) Notaufnahme für Roma-Familien nicht in Charlottenburg. In: RBB online vom 14.5.2013.
  • Schupelius, Gunnar (2013) Pläne für Roma-Familien sind unbezahlbar. In: BZ Berlin vom 12.5.2013.
  • Steeger, Gesa (2013) Balkan-Pop gegen Vorurteile. In: TAZ vom 12.5.2013. 
Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest Roumanie Slovaquie

17.05.2013 Rroma and the Economic Crisis

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The philanthropist George Soros commented in the Romanian weekly Dilema Veche about the situation of Rroma in Europe. He sees the members of this minority to be particularly affected by the economic crisis. The impact of the crisis is now added to the already existing exclusion and human rights violations. He further criticises the EU for failing to provide Member States with a counterbalance. The EU is not a community of equals among equals, but represents tthe power of lenders. Soros stated:

[The Rroma community] which was already the victim of human rights violations and social exclusion, is one of the worst affected by the economic crisis and the poverty it has engendered. This has been compounded by the growing hostility to the Roma among the majority of the population, which also has to contend with economic difficulties. Worse still, the situation is being exploited by populist politicians (Presseurop 2013).

Conka (2013) informs about the infamous Rroma settlement Luna IX in Slovakia, where several thousands Rroma live. Conka himself grew up in Luna IX, when it was still less segregated, as he says, and had regular contact with Slovak non-Rroma. His family then moved to Prague, Holland and later to London, where he still lives now. Conka sees many of the Eastern European Rroma losers of the fall of the Iron curtain who were excluded in the news economy and will. He says:

“What I remembered as my happy home has turned into an unrecognisable ghetto with no way out for those who live there, trapped by poverty and prejudice. Some blame the collapse of communism. Although lacking in freedom, communism was like a sticky glue that bound everyone together, and my mum and dad said they would never have left had it not collapsed, because everyone had jobs and decent housing, and there was better integration between Roma and ethnic Slovaks, who shared the same houses, schools and jobs. In the 1990s the local factories closed, and since recruitment methods for smaller employers were relaxed, old prejudices against Roma resurfaced and Romani inhabitants of Lunik IX found it much harder to get work than their Slavic neighbours.”

Conka further references the debate about Rroma immigrants from Eastern Europe in the UK. Conka criticises the politician Nigel Farage for his blatant misrepresentation of the Rroma. He represents Rroma as hordes of welfare cheats who would only come to the UK for assistance. Conka counters this view decisively and explains that many of the disadvantaged Rroma are rather coming in order to get a fair chance to live a decent life. If this was not possible in their country of origin, they will migrate because of the lack of perspective. This must be taken into account in this undifferentiated discussion.

In his short documentary “Lunik IX: A Short Documentary” he shows a sobering images of life on the edge of subsistence, a vicious circle of poverty (Conka 2012).

Sources:

  • Conka, Artur (2013) What Is Life Really Like for Roma Families Around Europe? In: Huffington Post vom 14.5.2013.
  • Conka, Artur (2012) Lunik IX: A Short Documentary. In: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUFUkVivh_M (17.5.2013).
  • Presseurop (2013) For George Soros, Roma are victims of the crisis. In: Presseurop online vom 6.5.2013. 
Allemagne Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest

17.05.2013 Remembrance for the Deportation of Rroma in Germany

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The Faction “Alliance 90” and the Greens commemorated the 73 Anniversary of the deportation of Rroma in Germany and thought about the outstanding social and political task towards this still marginalised minority. The Alliance stated:

“The mention in the Constitution is a small but strong step. It is now important that Roma and Sinti in our society actually get all the benefits and rights and antiziganism comes to an end. We welcome the fact that a parliamentary committee for the interests of the Sinti and Roma was created as a direct consequence of the constitutional amendment. It will be our task to achieve concrete improvements for the Sinti and Roma in this committee”. (Jacob 2013)

Mueck-Raab (2013) reports on the secret removal of a memorial for the Rroma murdered under Nazism. In the Krautgarten school in Wiesbaden until recently on could find a small glass display case with photographs and texts about the fate of the deportees Maria Theresa Lehmann and her family. Along with about a hundred other Rroma the region, they were taken to a local jail, photographed and a number was tattooed numbered on their arm. This was followed by deportation to a concentration camp. The memorial was set up in 2006 under the initiative of the then headmistress. The showcase now contains football trophies. The children of Theresa Lehmann are outraged. The exhibits were not returned to them, contrary to the statements of a representative of the school. By email it was said: “A memorial has never existed in the Krautgarden school”.

The case to the removed memorial raises the question of the importance of remembering against the need to forget or to dispel. To truly forget, one needs to accept the past. This can only happen via the conscious recollection of the past.

Prime Minister Torsten Albig, in a speech in Kiel, spoke about the importance of remembering the deportation of Rroma in Germany. On 16 May 1940, 2.000 Rroma were arrested in northern Germany, “racially” evaluated and taken to concentration camps, where they were exterminated. The Prime Minister said: “We owe it to the victims of the Nazi genocide to keep the memory year after year. […] We remind with this ceremony a time where respect of others did not exist. We long for a fair relationship between majority and minority” (02elf evening paper). The request to consciously remember is contrary to the above dismantlement of a memorial in a school. Albig also stressed that the respectful handling of Rroma is a pan-European issue which requires a total commitment of Europe.

Sources:

  • 02elf Abendblatt (2013) Ministerpräsident Torsten Albig zur Gedenkfeier für deportierte Sinti und Roma: Erinnerung Jahr für Jahr wachhalten. In: 02elf Düsseldorfer Abendblatt vom 16.5.2013.
  • Jacob, Claudia (2013) Sinti und Roma endlich gleichbehandeln. In: Bundes Presseportal vom 16.5.2013.
  • Mück-Raab, Marion (2013) Ort der Erinnerung entsorgt. In: TAZ vom 15.5.2013. 
France Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest Roumanie

17.05.2013 Fire in a Rroma House in Lyon

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The NZZ (2013) reports a fire in a Rroma camp in Lyon. In a vacant office building, 200 Rroma were living temporarily. The building was completely destroyed by the fire, the cause of which remains unclear until now. So far, three deaths, two women and a child were reported.

In recent months in France, there have been repeated fires in Rroma settlements or buildings. To reduce this increase to thoughtless handling of fire sources only is not very likely. Political motives behind several of these fires are rather suspect, related to the social debate about Rroma. Right-wing parties and their supporters are outraged about a perceived erosion of the welfare state due to immigrants such as the Rroma. Using them as a negative image for their political purposes they accuse them of deliberate arson of their camps to access social welfare, a fact cited by Marie Le Pen. From another perspective, the increased number of fires can much more be seen as a consequence of the hatred of residents or other elements, which are offended by the presence of the Rroma.

Euro News (2013) complements the coverage of the fire with the statements of Interior Minister Manuel Valls. He expressed regrets over the incident, but also said he felt concerned that the occupation of houses and warehouses “ poses every time a real danger that needs to be cleared” would. What exactly he means by a “real danger” is unclear. Valls has argued in recent months for increasing returns of Rroma to Romania.

Coudert (2013) stated that the 200 Rroma in the building were temporarily housed in an adjoining gym. The decision of the Rhônes Civil Service to close the hall every day from 10-15 clock for cleaning purposes has been criticised. This is inhumane, especially given the fact that there are newborns among the people.

Sources:

  • Coudert, S. Mazni T. (2013) Les Roms sommés par le préfet d’errer sous la pluie. In: Lyon Capitale vom 16.5.2013.
  • Euronews (2013) Tote bei Brand in von Roma besetztem Haus in Lyon. In: Euronews vom 135.2013.
  • NZZ (2013) Drei Tote bei Brand in alter Fabrik. In: Neue Zürcher Zeitung vom 13.5.2013. 
Allemagne Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest Serbie

17.05.2013 Documentary about the Self-View of the Serbian Rroma

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Majic (2013) reports on the work of Lidija Mirkovic, a documentary filmmaker who wants to present through her work a picture of the Rroma beyond certain foreign stereotypes. Mirkovic has interviewed countless Rroma in months of work and documented their everyday lives. She receives regular visits from journalists from Germany who are interested in her work. Usually she asks them two questions. First, what he or she wants to know about the slums and secondly, what he or she actually knows himself about Rroma. With this second question Mirkovic goes to the core of the issue. Her intention is to create new images that can compete with the entrenched stereotypes. Besides stereotypes, the essence of the slums lies at centre of the film “slumdogs”. Majic states: “What in the West is either glorified or branded a part of gypsy culture, is actually the result of unbearable misery. This reality cannot be banished away from one’s own doorstep, by simply declaring its consequences to be the nature of a particular ethnic group.” The film critically examines this ethnicisation of poverty as a self-chosen way of life, and take a look into the slums, not in a third world countries, but the middle of Europe.

Source:

  • Majic, Danijel (2013) Die Slums in der Mitte Europas. In: Frankfurter Rundschau vom 13.5.2013. 
France Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest North Macedonia

10.05.2013 Šutka TV

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The first official Rroma TV channels, TV Šukta, was founded by Andrijano Dzeladin in September 2012 in his apartment in Paris. The native Macedonian felt misrepresented by the reporting of illegal Rroma settlements in in France and he decided to found his own TV station. The programs are designed to create a counterpart to the often one-sided coverage on Rroma and highlight the cultural diversity of this minority. The only drawback is that all programs are broadcasted in Rromanes and thus the majority society with its distorted view on Rroma will not be touched. The channel, initially produced only by Dzeladin and a station employee, focuses on musical, cultural and culinary programs and can be seen on http://www.livestream.com/tvsutka the Internet (Boitiaux 2013).

Source:

  • Boitiaux, Charlotte (2013) Live from a Paris apartment, the first Roma TV station. In: France 24 vom 9.5.2013. 
Bulgarie Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest Roumanie

10.05.2013 Rroma in the UK

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Kann (2013) deconstructs the widespread myths about the Rroma commonly found in the British media. He ironically notes at the beginning that they, the Rroma, all have huge weddings, live in caravans and are constantly thinking of a migration to England to live at the expense of social welfare, and defines these views as being a media myth. Most of the 300,000 British Rroma are sedentary. The nomadism normally ascribed to them may partly be a cultural trait, but, but is mainly the consequence of seasonal work and of political persecution. There is also a rampant myth that they are intentionally unemployed based on the fact that they do not like to work and that they are not willing to learn. Kann contrasts these stereotypes with Rroma success stories of artists and academics. Rroma are even statistically under-represented in British prisons. British media is also confusing Irish Travellers with Kale Rroma. While the Irish Travellers came in 19th Century to England as well as after the Second World War due to the thriving construction industry, the Kale-Rroma are in UK since the 16th Century. A second and third wave of immigrants arrived after the end of the Soviet bloc and later with the establishment of the European Community. It was never a mass migration, as claimed by polemical media. Rroma are not a burden on the British welfare but an asset for the British society.

During May and June, the English “Community Channel” will report on the life of Rroma and Travellers in the UK. The reports will document and portray both ordinary people as well as celebrities from literature, art and science (Community Channel, 2013).

Jay (2013) of the Daily Mail reports on the plans of the European MEPs Jean Lambert to better link immigrants to social and health care. This is in contrast to the plans of Prime Minister David Cameron, who wants to cut social assistance for immigrants. The somewhat racist article by Martin Jay begins with the generalizing statement: “A Green Party MEP is demanding that immigrants who come to Britain to beg and commit crimes should be guaranteed the right to full state benefits and even be provided with police protection.” The author this unjustly assumes that all immigrants only come to the UK to beg and steal. Somewhat later, his statement on hordes of Rroma, particularly women who harass people on the street, can only be described as sheer racism. Jay says: “In particular, she [Jean Lampert] wants the hoards [sic; hordes] of Roma Gypsies – in particular the women – who illegally harass people on the streets of central London to ‘not be excluded’ from social security benefits as ‘undocumented migrants.” That such defamatory statements can be made under the label of freedom of expression is a scandal and shows a total lacks of respect for people. Later, Jay mixes, the terms “illegal immigrant” and “migrant” and finally equates them. He conjures the picture of a mass immigration of 50,000 Romanians and Bulgarians per year up as soon as the freedom of movement comes into force, referring to forecasts from Migration Watch. These migrants, it is suggested, would draw social benefits. This article has nothing to do with objective journalism. It is an affront to all members of minorities and supporters of humanism.

Source:

  • Community Channel (2013) Gypsy Roma Traveller Season: Highlights. In: Community Channel (UK) vom 10.5.2013.
  • Jay, Martin (2013) Roma gypsies should be guaranteed cash hand-outs and police protection, claims London MEP. In: Mail One vom 7.5.2013.
  • Kann, Alex (2013) 5 Big Fat Myths about Gypsies, Travellers and Roma. In: The Independent vom 9.5.2013. 

Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest Slovaquie

10.05.2013 Rroma in Slovakia

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Higgins (2013) reports on the segregation of Rroma children in Slovak schools. In the community Šarišské Michaľany in eastern Slovakia everything was segregated at the start of the headmaster’s tenure. Rroma children were playing on a separate playground, ate lunch separately from the white children and were placed in separate classrooms, officially due to different education levels. Higgins compares the fight against the segregation of Rroma with efforts to achieve racial equality in the United States in the 1950s. In Slovakia, the efforts to achieve equality are waged primarily through the courts. In spite of his advocacy for legal action, the headmaster of the school is described to be leaning more towards cultural mediation. He opened the school canteen for Rroma children, suppressed the segregated playgrounds as well as the rule that forbade Rroma parents to enter the school building. Common classes and teaching is still in its early stages. This process must be done slowly, as otherwise white Slovaks flee the school to go to other ones reinforcing racism and segregation. The prejudices of participating parties are deeply rooted. The Rroma, due to the prolonged segregation,  are reported now as having a wall in their minds.

Source:

  • Higgins, Andrew (2013) In Its Efforts to Integrate Roma, Slovakia Recalls U.S. Struggles. In: New York Times vom 9.5.2013. 
Hongire Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest

10.05.2013 Rroma in Hungary

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Kálnoky (2013) reported on the somewhat paradoxical judgment of a Hungarian court. It sentenced nine Rroma because of racist acts. They are reported to have attacked members of the racist Hungarian Guard. Already in 2010, several Rroma were convicted of racially motivated violence. At that time, the decisive evidence for the verdict was a stick marked with “Death to Magyar”. Magyar is the name given to the members of the Hungarian majority society. The judgment of the court is somewhat sensitive,  as the banned Hungarian Guard had held a meeting in the village in question with the aim of intimidating the local Rroma. The indictment of racial hatred in the condemnation ignored this context.

The Hungarian Council for Mass Media has fined for the newspaper “Magyar Hirlap” of the right-wing populist Zolt Bayer for incitement of hatred against the Rroma. Bayer had compared the Rroma with animals and called for their extermination. The reason behind these inflammatory articles was a conflict between Hungarians and Rroma on New Year’s Eve 2012/2013 was (Stimme Russlands, 2013).

In a public announcement, The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has described Rroma as being the “hidden resource and reserve the Hungarian economy”. He wants to distance himself from the positions of his Fidesz party, which has repeatedly been accused of racism against members of the minority. This January, the government has introduced an Arbitration Council for Roma Affairs, headed by Orban himself. He stated a goal to provide 100,000 Rroma with a job by 2015 and to promote education among them so that they may find their place in the Hungarian future (The Press, 2013).

Sources:

  • Die Presse (2013) Ungarn: Orban nennt Roma “verborgene Ressource”. In: Die Presse vom 7.5.2013.
  • Kálnoky, Boris (2013) “Rassismus” gegen Rassisten – Haftstrafen für Roma. In: Die Welt vom 9.5.2013.
  • Stimme Russlands (2013) Ungarische Zeitung muss Geldstrafe wegen Anti-Roma-Aussagen zahlen. In: Stimme Russlands vom 9.5.2013.
France Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest

10.05.2013 Rroma in France

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Nord Eclair (2013) informs on the eviction of an illegal camp in Saint-André. The local Rroma lived in the Rue Constantine for the last three years. The mayor’s arguments are that Rroma were a risk to the public and the environment. Advocates of the Rroma fighting against the decision note that the affected family of seven had not disturbed anyone. For the mayor, the value lies in the example and precedent. The city chief Olivier Henno stated that the Rroma in question were not political refugees and therefore would not enjoy any special status.

Beigbeder (2013) reports on a form of vigilante justice in Villeneuve d’Ascq. Residents of the city suspect members of an adjacent Rroma camp to have repeated executed thefts in their neighbourhood. They hung up posters in the streets showing potential delinquents and demanding their arrest. The action happens in the context of increasing tensions against members of the minority, which are fuelled among others by the Front National.

The Rroma settlement in a riverbed in Nice will be cleared based on a request of the General Council. The official justification of the ruling cites safety issues due to the location of the settlement, based on the risk of flooding and danger due to electricity. But the real reason is likely to stem from the displeasure of the President of the General Council Eric Cotti, who noted that the judiciary has finally put an end to the lack of action by the government (Largillet 2013).

Sources:

  • Beigbeder, Matthieu (2013) Villeuve d’Ascq: les habitant affichent de supposés cambrioleurs dans les rues. In: L’express (France) vom 10.5.2013.
  • Largillet, Jean-Pierre (2013) Camp Rom de Nice : la justice ordonne son démantèlement. In: WebTimeMedias vom 8.5.2013.
  • Nord Eclair (2013) Saint-André : les Roms installés rue Constantine en voie d’expulsion. In: Nord Eclair vom 8.5.2013.
Allemagne Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest Roumanie

10.05.2013 Rroma Debate in Germany / Austria

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No case of enticement to racial hatred will be filed against the old politician from Bremen, who excluded from the SPD Bremen. Korol had published racist statements against Roma immigrants from Southeast Europe on his website, which prompted his exclusion from the SPD Bremen. The prosecution based its decision on the argument that what Korol stated fell under freedom of opinion could not be considered as an incitation to racial hatred. Korol had claimed on his website that Rroma live “socially and intellectually in the Middle Ages, their men have no inhibitions to send their children to beg instead to school or to kick their women’s teeth” (Stengel, 2013).

In Amstetten a group of travelling by Rroma wanted to set up a temporary camp in front of a former auction hall. Camping is however prohibited there. The group was evicted by the local police. The incident occurs at a time where in the debate in Europe around migration due to poverty, Rroma are increasingly discussed and simplifying stereotypes about them are in circulation (The Courier 2013).

In Nienberge in Westphalia, a group of a dozen Rroma settled on truckers’ stop. The site had been previously been locked. Social Councillor Thomas Paal is unhappy that this space is being used. It is unfit for this purpose, especially for families with children. Ms. Brigitte Hasenjürgen in charge of this place is committed to keep it open. The immigrants from Romania are planning to stay in Germany and enrol their children in school there (Peter 2013).

Around 5000 Rroma live and work currently in Schleswig-Holstein. The Commissioner for Minorities Renate Schnack asked the residents of the area in a public announce to support the Rroma in their efforts to integrate. As part of the project “Maro temm” (Our Land) of the Housing Association of the Sinti in Kiel, 13 housing units for needy Rroma were built (Shz 2013).

In the Neukölln district of Berlin on can currently see the exhibition “The Rroma Image Studio”. The exhibition gives Rroma artists the opportunity to present a self-view of the group whose identity is otherwise mostly represented by outsiders. The show is intended to enable a view beyond that of the “racist clichés, the supposedly criminal migrant workers or [the] kitschy images of Balkan and Gypsy folklore”. The black and white portrait series “Mas Vilag” shows for example a fragmentation and complexity rather than a clear, singular view of the Rroma self-identity (Oxen 2013).

The NZZ (2013) speaks on the Rroma debate in Germany. It commented that it was quite relevant, whether in the debate on poverty immigration, one talks about ethnic or social issues and background. In the first case one will speak about cultural tolerance and minority rights while in the case of “social issues”, of individual rights and social standards. The so-called “Rroma problem” is much more a question of poverty rather than a lifestyle choice. In the course of post-socialist transformation to capitalism, large masses of Rroma were impoverished. This themes should be the prominent ones, and not the questions of ethnicity.

Sources:

  • Kurier (2013) Roma-Karawane musste Stadtgebiet verlassen. In: Kurier (Österreich) vom 7.5.2013.
  • NZZ (2013) Die Roma und die «Armutseinwanderung». In: Neue Zürcher Zeitung vom 10.5.2013.
  • Oxen, Nicolas (2013) Weg vom Roma-Klischee. In: Neuköllner.net vom 8.5.2013.
  • Peter, Sandra (2013) Zwei Toilettenhäuschen für Mirgranten-Landfahrerplatz bleibt Notlösung. In: Westfälische Nachrichten vom 8.5.2013.
  • Shz (2013) Kommunen sollen Sinti und Roma unterstützen. In: Schleswig-Holsteinischer Zeitungsverlag (shz) vom 8.5.2013.
  • Stengel, Eckhard (2013) Hetze gegen Roma bleibt straflos. In: Berliner Zeitung vom 7.5.2013.

 

Bulgarie Allemagne Pays-bas Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles suisses Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest Roumanie Slovénie

26.04.2013 The Rroma, the EU and the Freedom of Movement

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Plüss (2013) reports on the plans of several EU member states – and also of Switzerland – to restrict the movement of persons in Europe. This freedom of movement allowed people, so far without a work permit, to settle in another state and to pursue an occupation and to a certain extent receive social benefits. The EU criticized the plans of Germany, Austria, the UK and the Netherlands, who want to clamp down on so-called poverty immigrants from Eastern Europe. From the perspective of the relevant EU Commission, mass immigration is a politicised perception of the concerned countries, but not a statistical reality in itself. The EU also has been working for several years on its own strategy to prevent the feared Westwards migration from Eastern Europe. It strives to better integrate ethnic groups such as Rroma in their home countries. However, many involved parties question the success of these ventures.

Kopeinig / Kramar (2013) report on a heated atmosphere on this debate in Berlin and Vienna. The interior ministers of Germany, Austria, the UK and the Netherlands complain about the abuse of the welfare by poor immigrants, who are frequently Rroma. The ministers of Germany and Austria, Hans-Peter Friedrich and Johanna Mikl-Leitner are currently in the middle of an election campaign and thus request in this regard a clear distinction between the treatment of nationals and immigrants. Even the conservative press in the UK warns against a mass immigration of Rroma from Eastern Europe, an immigration whose factuality is but hard to establish. In addition, the one-dimensional abuse of social welfare that is talked about is to be questioned. The contexts behind such migration as well as the sources and facts of the migration numbers are too little discussed.

In the still ongoing debate in Germany about the feared mass immigration from Romania and Bulgaria, the first concrete actions are being taken. Berlin’s integration commissioner Monika Lüke confirmed the plans of the capital to provide emergency shelter for up to 100 homeless immigrants. The city government wants to forestall the exploitation of immigrants by landlords, respectively prevent them from their questionable practices of high rents, low quality abodes. Integration Senator Dikel Kolat also adopted a so-called “Action Plan Roma”. There are already 160 welcoming classes for Rroma children to prepare their integration into German schools with a strong focus on German language courses. The planned shelters are part of the action plan. Resistance against this project is increasing. The City Council Carsten Engelmann for social affairs commented negatively against the plans, fearing that current local tenants and landlords would be negatively impacted or even forced to leave (Thomsen 2013).

Loy (2013) added further to the subject by pointing out that Kolat plans transition home for foreign newcomers whose financing it still pending. He also states that many Rroma have had bad experiences with government bodies and administration and thus have reservations in engaging with authorities. The Senator responsible for integration earnestly hopes on the successful integration of Rroma children through professional training programs. She also denies the controversy surrounding the welfare abuse. 80% of Romanians and Bulgarians in Berlin are employed and thus entitled to receive social security benefits.

Siebert (2013) presents an interview with Benjamin Marx, a representative of the organisation “Aachen Siedlungs- und Wohnungsgesellschaft” which works on the integration of immigrant Rroma. In the Berlin district of Neukölln, there are 600 Rroma families, most from Fântânele in Romania. Marx travelled to Fântânele to get an idea of ​​the life there. Life there offers few prospects and poor educational opportunities, which is why the migration to Germany is associated with hopes for a better future. Marx seems itself also not entirely free from prejudices. He is quoted with a statement bordering on defamation: “It is hard to imagine a situation in which families of Gypsies would be able to live in a good neighbourhood with someone else. Among them, own groupings emerge, they ‘arrange things’, ‘promise stay in Germany’, for which they ask for money.” Such statements are an unnecessary generalisation and one-dimensional representation of members of an ethnic group that can only be described as stupid. Especially the statement that Rroma are not be able to live together with other people can only be described as racist. Marx also questions the sense of the inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria in the EU. This was a terrible mistake, because the countries were not yet ready for it. Siebert leaves this statement without comments and therefore adds to the overall strangeness of this article, which can only be described as one-sided.

The Cologne City Gazette (2013) reports on defamatory statements of Cardinal Joachim Meisner against Rroma from Slovenia. He is referring to Rroma as not able to inegrate, and to Rroma families as having many children. The Cologne social critic Günther Wallraff sharply criticises these statements in the article. Meisner’s remarks reminds “of the propaganda from other times aimed directly at the forced sterilisation of women of so-called anti-social child-rich families.” In this Wallraff refers of course to the systematic destruction of Rroma under the Nazis, where they were branded as anti-social.

Christine Langenfeld, chairman of the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration, is committed to the successful integration of immigrant Rroma. There is a need for a successful mediator between immigrants, political authorities and local communities. She also engages herself to prevent the formation of lawless areas within economy, something that affects Rroma in particular. The Rroma have a right to protection by the law, since the EU is not only a domestic market but also a community of values ​​is (German Turkish News 2013).

Lehner (2013) reports on a podium discussion in Salzburg, where the correspondent and author Mappes-Niediek and the writer Karl-Markus Gauss debated on the impoverishment of Eastern Europe. Mappes-Niediek criticised the economic policies of Western European and international business leaders who have contributed with their massive measures to impoverishment of broad sections of the population in Southeast Europe. The EU needs to primarily promote local economies and not waste too much energy on poorly engineered social policies. The writer Gauss severely criticised the European banking sector, which consumed lots of tax money, thus preventing these funds from being used to boost the labour market. Mappes-Niediek also pointed to a little-known fact. Until the mid 19th century, Rroma in Romania were treated as slaves: “Roma were completely subjugated for many centuries, not even owning their own bodies. Families were torn apart, their members are sold separately. This influences the current situation, as they never possessed land, land that they could have passed by inheritance.” He also points to the deterioration of the situation since the fall of the Eastern Bloc. Previously many Rroma were working, albeit poorly paid. After the fall of the Iron Curtain, the employment crisis means that unemployment increased massively. This impoverishment for many Rroma meant a return and a reliance on traditional economic and life forms, which often are no longer appropriate.

In Freiburg, 500 people demonstrated against the forced deportation of approximately 60 Rroma from Germany. The demonstration was organized by the action group “the right to stay”, against the deportation policy of the red-green government (Badische Zeitung 2013).

Bochtler (2013) reports on a Rroma family in Freiburg, which is affected by the deportation policy. The Sacipis family has successfully integrated, all family members go for a job, but now finds itself faced with deportation. Local activists are fighting for a more sensitive approach with members of the minorities and demand that one considers the history of German Roma policy in this question. The outcome of the conflict remains unclear for the time being.

Sources:

  • Badische Zeitung (2013) 500 Demonstranten protestieren gegen Roma-Abschiebung. In: Badische Zeitung vom 21.4.2013. 
  • Bochtler, Anja (2013) Etlichen Roma-Familien in Freiburg drohen Abschiebungen. In: Badische Zeitung vom 19.4.2013.
  • Deutsch Türkische Nachrichten (2013) SVR-Vorsitzende: Roma-Zuwanderung stellt Kommunen vor eine grosse Herausvorderung. In: Deutsch Türkische Nachrichten vom 23.4.2013.
  • Kölner-Stadtanzeiger (2013) Günter Wallraff kritisiert Meisner. In: Kölner-Stadtanzeiger vom 23.4.2013.
  • Kopeinig, Margaretha/Kramar Konrad (2013) Roma: Angst vor der importierten Armut. In: Der Kurier vom 26.4.2013.
  • Lehner, Gerhard (2013) Armut unter Roma: Schwere Kritik an EU. In: ORF vom 22.4.2013.
  • Loy, Thomas (2013) Senat plant Hilfe für die Roma. In: Der Tagesspiegel vom 23.4.2013.  
  • Plüss, Mirko (2013) Ventilklausel einmal anders rum. In: Tages-Anzeiger vom 25.4.2013.
  • Siebert, Armin (2013) Integration von Sinti und Roma in Deutschland: “Harzer Straße ist keine Lösung”. In: Stimme Russlands vom 23.4.2013.
  • Thomsen, Jan (2013) Notbleiben für Familien. In: Berliner Zeitung vom 26.4.2013. 
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26.04.2013 Rroma Policy in France

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Atlantico (2013) reports on the latest undertakings of the right-wing opposition politician Marie Le Pen, who gave a press conference in front of a Rroma camp in an industrial zone in the French department of Essonne. The leader of the National Front emphasised that, should she be elected, she would eliminate all Rroma camps. She also criticised the center and left parties for opening France to eastern EU countries, leading to a de facto abolition of borders. She stated she would organise a referendum that will lead to the end of the European Union.

According to La Dépêche (2013), some residents of the Rroma camp approached the crowds of journalists. But there were no public exchange between Le Pen and the Rroma. La Dépêche estimates that currently about 20,000 Rroma are live in around 400 informal camps in France. The pastor Frédéric Gatineau wanted to show the settlement to Le Pen.  However, she quickly left the area reflecting he entrenched prejudices against Rroma. Gatineau stated: “Je pense que si elle rencontrait ces personnes, elle aurait peut-être un autre discours. […] Je pense qu’elle aurait été bien reçue. Ils ne pas la connaissent spécialement, ils n’ont pas d’a priori … J’étais prêt à l’accompagner mais elle est partie vite bien dans sa belle voiture noire. “ [I think that had she met people, she would maybe have held another discourse. I think she would have been well received. They do not know her and thus have no pre-conceived ideas about her … I was ready to go with her, but he left really fast in her nice black car]

Rotman (2013) emphasizes in his article that Le Pen defends her position without blinking. She argues that she doesn’t stigmatize anybody, that she speaks of the reality that no one dare to mention. That Le Pen doesn’t want to meet the people who are behind this reality itself says a lot about her understanding of reality. Her position is the result of her convictions, beliefs and values, not of social reality.

In “Les Berges du Va” in Nice, an illegal Romany camp will be evacuated. The head of the district, Eric Ciotti, argues for the removal refererring to the public health and public safety. Opponents counter this by saying that many of the local children were successfully enrolled in school and that to vacate the settlement is a step backwards on the integration of Rroma. On the question of where the Rroma will go after the eviction, Ciotti answers that this is the responsibility of the government. The judgment of the court on the eviction is expected in  the next two weeks (Binacchi 2013).

In Bobigny, near Paris, a fire destroyed part of a Rroma camp with about 250 residents. The cause of the fire is unclear. Several barracks were destroyed. Investigations, whether it was an arson act are running. Since January 2013, over 1000 Rroma in twelve different localities  had to leave their camps because of fires or pogroms A political motivation behind the numerous fires is therefore not unlikely (Libération 2013).

In Lyon, ten Rroma families who were evicted from an illegal settlement, benefit from Catholic Care. The priest Matthieu Thouvenot decreed that the parish of Gerland should provide food and shelter to 50 Rroma from the disbanded settlement, half of them children. The local church hall was converted for this purpose into  housing. The local court ruled a few days later that the prefecture should find permanent settlement for the evicted Rroma or pay for a compensation of 75 euro per person and per day. In the district near Gerland there is a tradition of Catholic charity. Representatives of the church are seeking dialogue with the French Ministry of the Interior, arguing that the situation of Rroma needs to be viewed and managed in a more differentiated way (Schittly 2013).

Sources:

  • Atlantico (2013) Marine Le Pen : elle prône les démantèlements massifs devant un camp de Roms. In: Atlantico vom 26.4.2013. 
  • Binacchi, Fabien (2013) Les Roms installés sur les berges menacés d’expulsion. In: 20minutes France vom 23.4.2013.
  • La Dépêche (2013) Devant un camp de Roms, Marine Le Pen promet «le renvoi de tous les clandestins». In: La Dépêche vom 26.4.2013.
  • Libération (2013) Un incendie d’atelier se propage à un camp rom à Bobigny, 250 évacués. In: Libération vom 25.4.2013.
  • Rotman (2013) Marine Le Pen en plan com devant un camp rom. In: Libération vom 26.4.2013.
  • Schittly, Richard (2013) Les catholiques de Lyon au secours des Roms sans abri. In: Le Monde vom 22.4.2013.

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26.04.2013 Rroma in the UK

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A one-sided article from the Daily Mail (2013) reports on the eviction of a Rroma settlement in Meriden, Warwickshire. The settlement, referred by the authors as being illegal, was subject to disputes between Rroma and local residents who formed a local movement against the settlement and have been active in court for the last three years. The competent court issued a ruling in favour of the residents and to the misfortune of the local Rroma. According to the article they had legally purchased the land for £ 100,000 from a businessman. Why the settlement is referred to by the journalists as illegal remains unclear. It is, however, explained that the planning applications submitted were rejected for fixed caravans. The residents organized blockades to make it impossible for the Rroma to enter the settlement or at least to hinder them. Many of the now displaced Rroma had to resign from their employment because they have nowhere to live. Some of them set a caravan on fire as a protest before leaving the place. In the appendix of the article there is a series of comments about the outcome of the process, a large majority of which can be considered to be racist.

The head of the family – Noah Burton – will try to sell the land again (BBC 2013). Capelo (2013) suggests, in contrast to the other articles, that the land was an agricultural parcel and not one for settlements.

Sources:

  • BBC (2013) Last Gypsy family leaves illegal Meriden site. In: BBC News vom 21.4.2013.
  • Capello, Esh (2013) Meriden gypsies start fires at illegal camp before departing. In: Birmingham Post vom 19.4.2013.
  • Daily Mail (2013) Gypsies move out of illegal camp after THREE YEAR battle with villagers… but not before they started a few fires and burned a caravan. In: Daily Mail (UK) vom 20.4.2013. 
Nouvelles d'Europe de l'est Nouvelles d'Europe de l'ouest Roumanie

26.04.2013 Rroma in Quebec

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Larouche (2013) reports on the fate of some one hundred Rroma from Romania, some of which are refugees, some who, in part – it is claimed – were sent to Quebec as part of a criminal network for, among other things, thefts. With international coordination, a Rroma settlement in Craiova was raider by the police, and the alleged instigators of this network were arrested. These people had an intricate knowledge of the Quebec apparently due to having been there on organized the crime trips. According to the Canadian investigators, some of those migrants only became criminal only after their arrival due to debt. Respondents said to have become delinquent because of poverty and because of social exclusion.

The Rroma Contact Point would like to emphasize that while the existence of criminal networks is not to deny, these have nothing to do with the Rroma identity per se. Thisis exactly the error that many journalists repeatedly commit when they report on Rroma.

Source:

  • Larouche, Vincent (2013) Des criminels parmi les réfugiés: la filière rom. In: La Presse (Canadien) vom 24.4.2013. 
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26.04.2013 Criticism of the U.S. State Department on Hungary’s Minority Policy

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Pester Lloyd (2013) reports on the subdued reaction of the Hungarian government on the U.S. State Department report on the human rights situation in Hungary. The government criticised the report as flawed and prejudiced. The report criticises the continued discrimination against Rroma in access to educational institutions and to the labour market. In addition, nothing was done against the regular parades of right-wing groups in 2012 in Rroma settlements. The Hungarian State Secretary Kovaks criticised the report on the basis that it considers the problems of the Hungarian state only “on the basis of human rights.”

Source:

  • Pester Lloyd (2013) Ungarn weist US-Kritik an Romapolitik zurück, Start gemeinsamer Roma-Projekte mit Deutschland. In: Pester Lloyd vom 22.4.2013. 
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19.04.2013 The Roma Image Studio

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The exhibition “The Roma Image Studio” in Berlin-Neukölln tackles the representation of Rroma in contemporary media. To this end, photographs and sculptures going image beyond the usual clichés are presented. Exhibition curator, André J. Raatzsch, emphasizes the importance of a critical audience, who, when viewing pejorative, romanticized and differentiated representation of Rroma can identify the latter and assess these as appropriate. The exhibition is part of the European cultural initiative. “Romanistan: Crossing Spaces in Europe”.

Source:

– Berlinonline (2013) Vernissage: “The Roma Image Studio”. In: Berlinonline vom 15.4.2013. 

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