France News Western Europe

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Al the articles this week on Roma in France focused on two fires in two Roma camps in Nantes and Saint Herblain. In the “Prairie des Mauves” in Nantes, 10 hectares burnt down, most caravans were destroyed. In the other fire in Saint Herblain, nearly 8 hectares and several caravans burn down. Now nearly 200 people have nowhere to go.

According to the police, the fire in the Prairie des Mauves started when a car caught fire.

In Saint Herblain, one paper suggests that the Roma were invovled in planting canabis, although there are no proofs that the plants found were planted by Roma.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Death after Arrest

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Death after Arrest

On July 8 in Százhalombatta, Hungary, police intervened with a driver who was behaving erratically and resisted arrest, leading to the use of force; the man later died in the hospital days after the incident.

The Budapest Regional Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the circumstances of the police action, with the police cooperating closely with the prosecution.

Roma leaders expressed that no lawful police action should result in severe injury or death, emphasizing the need for police to respect necessity, proportionality, and human dignity during interventions.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Baro Bjav

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Baro Bjav

The Bulgarian pop-folk star Boni has released a new project titled “Big Wedding,” showcasing the traditions and culture of the Roma people in Bulgaria and beyond.

The music video premiered on her official channel and emphasizes themes of love, family, and unity through music.

Boni expressed gratitude to all contributors and her hometown of Sliven, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the project.

https://youtu.be/ekaIkAfJctI

News Eastern Europe Ukraine

Mobilisation in Zakarpattia

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Mobilisation in Zakarpattia

According to local reports, on July 23, a violent mobilisation action took place in Nagylucska, near Mukachevo, in Zakarpattia (Transcarpathian Ukraine) targeting the Hungarian-speaking Roma community,  Eyewitnesses claim that masked soldiers and police indiscriminately assaulted locals, with two men reportedly shot and forcibly taken onto buses.

The presence of special units is suspected, and local Roma representatives have rushed to the scene to assist the frightened community, although official confirmation from authorities is still pending.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Unemployment in Romania

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Unemployment in Romania

In the first months of the year, 44 Roma were employed through the National Agency for Employment (ANOFM), highlighting the challenges faced by this ethnic group in the job market.

A total of over 14,000 people were hired, with vulnerable groups, including 242 individuals with disabilities, making up a small percentage of the total.

Discrimination and social barriers are significant obstacles for Roma individuals seeking employment, as noted by a young Roma woman, Ecaterina Pitula.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbia and Roma Voters

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Serbia and Roma Voters

Serbian opposition figure Božo Drašković made derogatory comments about Roma in Serbia, accusing them of being corrupt and selling their dignity for money.

The article criticizes the racist attitudes of the current protesters who claim to uphold European values while showing contempt for minority communities. Here they take a pro-government attitude, and amalgamate the protesters with political opposition figures.

The article highlights the failure of media hosts to condemn Drašković’s remarks, indicating, according to the article,  a broader issue of racism and discrimination against the Roma community. Well, except that even Roma say that their votes have been bought, and this by the government …

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Rudolf Huliak

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Rudolf Huliak

Minister of Tourism and Sports Rudolf Huliak has been advocating for the employment of Roma in Slovakia instead of accepting economic migrants for several months. He argues that Slovakia should focus on utilizing its domestic workforce and creating job opportunities for its own citizens.

Huliak questions the superiority of Indian migrants over Slovak Roma, emphasizing the need to employ local citizens rather than bringing in foreign workers. He also holds derogatody views about Roma and their willingness to work.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and the Holocaust

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Slovenia and the Holocaust

The article discusses the violent actions of communist partisans in Sodražica during May 1942, including the murder of 16 Roma and other locals, highlighting the impact of these events on the community.

It references the historical context of the region, including the rise of communism and the experiences of local families during the war, particularly the Kozina family.

While it is true that partisans executed Roma and others during the war, this is aprt of a new narrative in Slovenia whereby all crimes during the war were committed by others …  As a reminder, let’s just say the mayor of Ljubjana vetoed the transfer of Roma victims to the local cemmeraty devoted to victims of World War Two.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Police and Roma

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Police and Roma

Hungarian Roma advocacy leaders emphasized that no lawful police action should result in severe injury or death, following the death of a father during police intervention in Százhalombatta.

They called for a thorough and unbiased investigation into the incident, expressing concerns over the premature reassurances from authorities regarding police conduct.

The leaders stressed the importance of mutual respect for the law by both citizens and police, insisting that police must act with proportionality and respect for human dignity.

Austria News Western Europe

Harri Stojka

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Harri Stojka

Harri Stojka, born on July 22, 1957, in Vienna, is a prominent Austrian jazz guitarist known for blending jazz, blues, rock, and Roma musical traditions, which he calls “Gipsysoul.”

He began his musical career in the early 1970s, founded the Harri Stojka Express in 1973, and has performed internationally, gaining recognition for his work on Gypsy Jazz and his engagement with Roma culture.

Stojka has received numerous accolades, including the Golden Honorary Badge for services to the Republic of Austria, and continues to perform and release new music while advocating for the remembrance of Roma history and culture.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Ostrava Protest

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Ostrava Protest

Police in Ostrava-Vítkovice have initiated criminal proceedings against seven individuals aged 18 to 38 for public disorder.

The incident occurred on July 19, following a prior agreement to meet due to a provocative video posted on social media. A confrontation ensued where a group of young men challenged a Romani man to a fight, which he declined, leading to one man brandishing a gas pistol and firing it into the air. The Rom ended up in hospital after having stabbed.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Stara Zagora

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Stara Zagora

Marin Tihomirov, a member of the Bulgarian parliament, called for assistance from relevant institutions regarding the demolition of Roma homes in Stara Zagora, affecting over 30 families.

He emphasized the need for a clear plan for the relocation of these families and criticized the lack of a humane solution, urging the government to respect human rights.

Tihomirov appealed to all parliamentary groups to responsibly address the issue and highlighted the historical neglect of Roma communities despite previous integration efforts and funding.

Kosovo News Eastern Europe

Rape and Minorities

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Rape and Minorities

Survivors of wartime sexual violence in Kosovo were officially recognized in 2018, significantly later than other war victim categories, following years of advocacy by NGOs for women’s rights.

Over 2,100 victims of wartime sexual violence have been recognized, with 96% being of Albanian nationality, raising concerns about the neglect of minority victims in public discourse.

The story of Šehrije Baljaj, a Romani woman who testified about her rape in 1999, highlights the struggles of minority victims, as she passed away before her application for recognition was processed.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Education in Moldova

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Education in Moldova

A meeting organized by the Ministry of Education and Research focused on developing services for Roma communities through community mediators, involving various stakeholders.

Discussions included improving educational access for Roma children and youth, preventing school absenteeism, and enhancing access to health and social services.

The new regulation defines the role of community mediators and aims to strengthen cooperation between mediators and public institutions to support Roma communities in Moldova.

News Eastern Europe Romania

High School in Romania

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High School in Romania

The admission process for high schools in Constanța for 2026 shows significant differences in average grades between general placements and special placements for Roma candidates and students with special educational needs (SEN).

Some of the most sought-after high schools admitted Roma candidates with averages below 6, with the lowest being 5.12 at Liceul Ovidius, while the lowest national evaluation scores were much higher.

A total of 17 candidates from these special categories were not placed, with the lowest average for Roma candidates being 1.90 and for SEN candidates being 1.35, indicating challenges in accessing education for these vulnerable groups.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Olivera Katalina

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Olivera Katalina

Olivera Katarina, a versatile performer known for her work in film and music, passed away on July 21, 2026, at the age of 86, after a career spanning over 60 years.

Born in Belgrade, she gained fame for her role in the film ‘I Even Met Happy Gypsies’ where she played the role of a Romani singer and had a successful singing career across multiple languages and genres. She also sang in Romanes.

Despite personal hardships, including the loss of her second husband, Katarina continued to work in the arts until her later years, leaving a lasting legacy in Yugoslav cinema.

Greece News Western Europe

Social Integration

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Social Integration

The Greek Central Macedonia Region is implementing a targeted social integration program for vulnerable groups, allocating 3 million euros through regional funding to support Roma children and parents.

The program will cover seven municipalities with significant Roma populations, including areas in western Thessaloniki and the regions of Veria and Naousa.

The initiatives align with the National Strategy for Roma 2021-2030, aiming to enhance social cohesion and create a protective network for the most vulnerable social groups.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Stabbed

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Stabbed

A demonstration occurred in Ostrava (Czechia) following the stabbing of a local Roma man, which was linked to provocative social media videos by a user known as matthewwassupp.

The rally was monitored by police, including riot units, due to tensions surrounding the incident and the involvement of the Romani community.

The Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs is set to discuss the case, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety and treatment of Romani people in the Czech Republic.

News Western Europe United Kingdom

Trash – Continued

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Trash – Continued

The reality show “The Secret Lives of Gypsy Wives” has faced backlash from the traveller community, who find it embarrassing and insulting, calling for it to be taken off air.

The show follows Trewley-Precious Wass, a TikTok star navigating her mixed Romani and non-Romani heritage, and her struggles with traditional gypsy rules imposed by her family.

Critics argue that the portrayal of gypsy wives in the show does not accurately represent the community and perpetuates negative stereotypes.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Housing in Romania

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Housing in Romania

The Cluj-Napoca Local Council approved a program worth over 400 million lei to purchase 350 homes for Roma and other vulnerable communities, aiming for social integration rather than segregation.

Mayor Emil Boc emphasized that the initiative will use the SIEG mechanism to legally facilitate the purchase of homes and provide social services to the relocated families.

The program aims to eliminate informal settlements like Pata Rât by 2030, with over 500 individuals already relocated to decent housing through previous projects.

This is a drop of water on a hot stone …

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