News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Music

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Music

A music album titled “Zumin” was created in the Roma settlement of Habeš near Sečovce, Slovakia, featuring local musicians and children during extreme heat in August 2026.

The album includes a variety of sounds and songs reflecting themes of poverty and migration, showcasing the community’s cultural heritage.

It was produced as part of the Art Aktivista residency, which has been engaging with the community since 2014, and is available for free streaming on Bandcamp.

Czech Republic Europe News Eastern Europe

Roma Rights

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Roma Rights

The Roma Rights Network, coordinated by the European Roma Rights Centre, has published the first issue of the revived Roma Rights Review, highlighting the worsening situation of Roma rights in Europe due to the rise of far-right politics and increased criminalization of Roma communities.

The report details instances of police brutality, discrimination, and systemic racism against Roma, including specific cases in Greece and Hungary, and emphasizes the need for stronger protections and recognition of Roma as citizens with rights.

The publication calls for European institutions to maintain targeted funding for Roma equality and warns that attacks on Roma rights foreshadow broader erosions of rights for all marginalized groups.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece, Politics, and Roma

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Greece, Politics, and Roma

Aphrodite Latinopoulou, president of ‘Voice of Reason’, faced a verbal attack from a group of Roma while waiting to travel in Tinos, Greece. The confrontation escalated after Latinopoulou defended her statements stating that Roma are criminals, are evading taxes, and using deragotary terms about them, leading to vulgar insults directed at her.

The Coast Guard intervened but did not take further action after asking the parties to cease the altercation; Latinopoulou later reported the incident to the police upon arrival.

Latinopoulou described the incident, stating that she was confronted by men who challenged her comments about criminal behavior among Roma, leading to a heated exchange.

She accused the coast guard of inaction during the incident and linked the altercation to broader governmental issues, expressing disdain for the current political climate in Greece.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Ruma Music and Culture

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Ruma Music and Culture

The traditional Roma evening in Ruma, in the Vojvodina in Serbia, part of the ‘Cultural Summer’ program, showcased Roma culture through music, dance, and community engagement, emphasizing the importance of cultural events in connecting communities.

Local officials highlighted the progress in education for Roma youth, with increasing numbers continuing secondary education and the introduction of teaching in the Roma language to preserve their identity.

The event was supported by the municipality, which aims to improve the position of the Roma community through various initiatives, including scholarships and educational support for Roma students.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Hungary, Roma, and Commemoration

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Hungary, Roma, and Commemoration

The Hungarian Parliament held a moment of silence to honor the victims of the Roma Holocaust, following a controversial incident where members of the Mi Hazánk (Extreme-Right) party remained seated during a previous commemoration.

Mi Hazánk’s leader, Toroczkai, criticized the political exploitation of the Holocaust remembrance and expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the upcoming presidential election. He claimed it violated house rules and that the Tisza party was exploiting the situation for political gain. Ábrahám Barnabás, a leader of the Mi Hazánk party, criticized the increasing influence of Roma in Hungary, suggesting that the focus should be on crime rather than the Roma Holocaust

The Prime Minister, other officials, as well as members of the Jewish community condemned Mi Hazánk’s actions, emphasizing the importance of honoring the victims and calling for an apology from the party.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation – Continued

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Relocation – Continued

Two articles on the relocation of Roma from Slovakia to Hungary. One, in a half humouristic view, suggest to mayors with a “Roma problem” to buy houses for them in Hungary. It highlights that these actions are taken in view of upcoming election. In the second, Alexander Daško, the government’s plenipotentiary for Roma communities says there will be no large scale relocations.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria: Protest

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Bulgaria: Protest

Todor Davidov, known as Gringo, led a protest in the Roma neighborhood of Aytos, demanding better living conditions and infrastructure.

Protesters are advocating for improved roads and public transport access, citing the nearest bus stop is 500 meters away.

The protest has sparked public debate regarding the payment of local taxes by the families in the area and the legality of the houses in the neighborhood. In many of the Roma neighbourhoods, Roma are accused of having built illegally, even when their houses stood for a very long time. This is used to close and dismantle some of these neighbourhoods.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Hungary and the Extreme Right

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Hungary and the Extreme Right

István Gyöngyösi, a representative from the Tisza Party, commemorated the victims of the Roma Holocaust during a parliamentary session, emphasizing the need to remember the Roma victims who were deported and murdered in Auschwitz.

The Mi Hazánk (our house – an extreme right) party members remained seated during the commemoration, leading to accusations of racism and disrespect from other political figures, including Prime Minister Péter Magyar.

Minister Zoltán Tarr acknowledged ongoing discrimination based on ethnicity and stressed the importance of remembrance and combating hate to prevent future atrocities.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Education in Moldova

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Education in Moldova

Seven educational institutions in Moldova will test a new methodology for evaluating school practices from a human rights perspective, focusing on the protection of students’ rights, especially for vulnerable groups like Roma and refugees.

The methodology aims to help schools assess the respect for children’s rights in educational processes and daily practices, identifying areas for improvement.

The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNICEF Moldova and the UN Office for Human Rights in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research.

  • Protecție sporită pentru copiii romi și refugiați: O metodologie nouă privind drepturile omului, testată în șapte școli. In: Radio Moldova. 10.08.2026. https://radiomoldova.md/p/82781
News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbian Elections

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Serbian Elections

The Union of Roma in Serbia announced its independent participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections, centered around the Movement of Roma in Serbia, aimed at creating a fairer and more dignified society for all citizens.

The goal is to ensure that Roma have representatives in the National Assembly of Serbia after more than two decades, allowing their voices to be heard in legislative processes.

The Movement is intended to be inclusive, gathering a broad team of Roma and other citizens who believe in improving the position of the Roma community through work and knowledge.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Initiative for Romnja

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Initiative for Romnja

The initiative for Romnja students in Serbia has been empowering young Romane women for over a decade by providing education, mentorship, and community engagement.

Their mission emphasizes that no girl should abandon her education due to a lack of information, support, or role models, fostering a cycle of mentorship and leadership among Romani women.

The initiative challenges stereotypes and discrimination, advocating that education is a right and a powerful tool for equality and social change.

Kosovo News Eastern Europe

Kosovo Exhibition

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Kosovo Exhibition

An exhibition showcasing the history and culture of Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities aims to bridge gaps between communities and challenge stereotypes through public events and activities. The Multicultural Festival, organized for eight years, emphasizes collaboration among various communities to promote inclusion and equal opportunities in society.

Educational support for students from these communities is also a focus, with initiatives aimed at developing personal and social skills alongside academic support.

Let’s see if it helps …

News Eastern Europe Romania

Attack

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Attack

A serious incident occurred in Recea Cristur, Romania, where an ambulance was attacked by a group of individuals using axes, bats, and stones, injuring the driver severely.

The mayor expressed surprise at the attack, noting that there had been no previous issues in the local Roma community, and emphasized the need for police accountability.

Three young men have been detained for 24 hours in connection with the attack, facing charges related to violence and public disorder.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation – Continued

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Relocation – Continued

The issue of Roma families who moved from Košice, Slovakia, to Szalonna, Hungary, and recently returned is still a topic of discussion, with no agreement reached between Hungarian and Slovak representatives after a four-hour meeting.

A businessman from Farkaslyuk has offered jobs and housing to the Roma families, stating that he has successfully employed Slovak Roma for twenty years and believes in treating them with respect.

Despite the offer, some communities are resistant to accepting families from Slovakian slums, indicating a divide in attitudes towards the Roma community.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Social Help in Slovenia

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Social Help in Slovenia

Andrej Brečko, a Slovenian lawyer, criticized social welfare recipients, particularly targeting the Roma community, for allegedly misusing benefits while enjoying leisure activities like picnics.

He expressed concerns about societal responsibilities and rights, arguing that individuals should prioritize self-sufficiency and contribute to society rather than rely on state support.

Brečko highlighted the disparity between those who have worked for decades with minimal pensions and those who exploit social assistance, calling for a reevaluation of social support systems.

Germany News Western Europe

Cologne and Deportation

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Cologne and Deportation

An article which severely condemns the Cologne city administration for preventing the deportation of Roma who have committed crimes and are required to leave the country. The article’s author says tht this must not go unpunished.

Europe News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka

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Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka

Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka, a Polish Romani anthropologist and activist, leads the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, focusing on combating anti-Romani sentiment and promoting Romani identity through art and education.

She highlights the resurgence of anti-Romani attitudes in Europe, linking them to a broader decline in democratic values and the importance of minority rights as indicators of democracy.

The article discusses the need for systemic changes in education and public services to improve the socio-economic conditions of Romani communities, emphasizing the role of trust and collaboration between authorities and these communities.

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

Many articles about the expulsion of a Roma camp in Orry la Ville, leaving 300 Roma homless. Many of the articles complain of the huge garbage left over when Roma left. As usual, guilt on this one is not always the obvious ones.

Other news, a camp inb Marseilles may be closed;  and the RN (Extreme right) calls for a “restoration of order” in Antibes, read the expulsion of Roma.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Roma

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Slovenia and Roma

The Šentjernej People’s Initiative claims that police had to intervene multiple times due to violations of public order by local Roma after 10 PM.

They criticized Amnesty International Slovenia for not addressing the concerns of local residents who face harassment and threats from nearby Roma communities.

The initiative, formed by local residents, advocates for equal treatment under the law and zero tolerance for violence, and gained prominence after organizing a protest in 2025 over safety issues.

They actually support rather extreme measures, such as cutting social care if Roma don not “behave” or send their children to school, and want to remove Roma settlemens which they mostly deem illegal.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova and Memory

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Moldova and Memory

On the eve of the memorial date for the genocide of Roma during World War II, vandals painted over a memorial in Moldova, changing its colors to a toxic red, which shocked community members.

The Roma community in Moldova, estimated at 12,000, is advocating for recognition of their genocide during the war, with many more living abroad, and they commemorate the tragedy annually on August 2.

A memorial panel was created to honor the victims, but the community fears it may be vandalized again, highlighting ongoing issues of intolerance and historical neglect regarding the Roma Holocaust.

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