Greece News Western Europe

Influencer

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Influencer

Valentina, a Roma influencer in Greece, shares her experiences on social media, discussing the challenges and joys of her identity and the Roma culture.

She emphasizes the importance of education for Roma youth and encourages them to pursue their dreams despite societal prejudices and family disapproval.

Valentina advocates for change in how Roma are perceived and treated in society, urging others to embrace their identity and not fear criticism.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece and Roma

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Greece and Roma

The FRA’s “Roma Survey 2024” reveals a significant gap between Roma communities and the general population in Greece, highlighting failures in state interventions and ongoing socio-economic inequalities. The report emphasizes the need for genuine inclusion, equal access to education, housing, health, and employment, while also addressing the cultural identity of Roma, who face systemic discrimination and marginalization.

Gender disparities are alarming, with a 60% employment gap between Roma men and women, and high unemployment rates, particularly among young Roma, who encounter substantial barriers to entering the job market.

Kosovo News Eastern Europe Serbia

Ethnic Cleansing

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Ethnic Cleansing

Azir Jašari, a former journalist, documents the suffering of displaced Roma after being expelled from Kosovo and Metohija, creating a documentary and a book on their history. Many Roma and Ashkali have found refuge in Subotica, where they have established a community of around 3,500 individuals.

The article highlights the success stories of young Roma who have integrated into Subotica, showcasing their achievements and pride in overcoming challenges.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Award

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Award

Vladimir Amzić received the October Award from the City of Leskovac for his long-term efforts in promoting education and employment for Roma and preserving their culture.

His contributions include employing eight Roma individuals and supporting 30 young Roma with work equipment and tools.

Amzić has been active in the cultural and social life of Leskovac for over 20 years, collaborating with various institutions to research and preserve Roma history.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Child Marriage

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Child Marriage

Zlatka V., a 16-year-old Romni from Plovdiv, shares her traumatic experience of being sold into marriage at 14, highlighting the issue of child brides in Bulgaria and the lack of awareness about International Day of the Girl.

UNICEF reports that over 70 million girls are sold into marriage annually, with many more in unregistered unions, particularly among the Roma community in Bulgaria.

The article emphasizes the rising violence against girls in schools, domestic abuse, and the need for more attention to the plight of girls beyond just one day of recognition each year.

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

The election of a socialist mayor in the Nantes region was contested, as several Roma registered themselves for this election. Now her election has been confirmed. Five moves from Toni Gatliff are being shown in Saint-Etienne. Noël Mamère, a French Green politician says that “Rom,a are the new Jews” in an interview. Other news are more of the usual. Residents in Marseilles ask for the expulsion of 25 Roma families. A fire in a camp in Nantes. And finally, the work of an association helping sick Roma children.

News Eastern Europe Poland

Józef Merstein Jochymczyk

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Józef Merstein Jochymczyk

Józef Merstein Jochymczyk, a Sinto musician from Poland, shares his life story, including his early experiences with music and family roots. The family moved through Switzerland, Germany, and wartime Krakow ending up in Chrzanov, where he was born.

He highlights the cultural differences and common  roots between Sinti and Roma and reflects on the historical persecution faced by his community. He continues to perform and compose music in the language he learned before Polish, emphasizing the importance of his cultural identity.

Bosnia News Eastern Europe

Ethnic Cleansing

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Ethnic Cleansing

Zijo Ribić is a Roma survivor of ethnic cleansing during the Bosnian War. He shares his experiences in the book “I Do Not Hate: The Story of Zijo” by Andrea Rizza Goldstein. Zijo recounts the traumatic events of his childhood, including the murder of his family and his struggle to overcome hatred, ultimately advocating for peace and reconciliation.

Despite the trauma he endured, Zijo emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and has become a symbol of resilience, participating in legal proceedings against his family’s murderers.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Youth Parliament

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Youth Parliament

On Friday, the first Roma youth parliament was established in Slovakia. Its mission is to facilitate dialogue between Roma and non-Roma people and to address the community’s myriad problems.

The initiative, led by Emília Štrkáčová, follows the creation of other youth parliaments and emphasizes the importance of inclusion and representation.

Young participants have proposed various solutions to improve living conditions, including education on financial literacy and cultural integration activities with non-Roma communities.

News Western Europe Spain

Mallorca and Roma

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Mallorca and Roma

Laura Jurado’s new work, ‘Mallorca romaní. Una historia de la comunidad gitana’, explores five centuries of Romani presence in Palma and Mallorca, detailing their history and current social debates. The book discusses the historical oppression faced by the Romani people, including restrictions on their clothing, language, and livelihoods, as well as significant events like the Gran Redada in 1749, which targeted all Romani individuals in Spain.

The establishment of Son Banya, a settlement for Romani people in the 1960s, is highlighted as a failed urban planning initiative that has become a stigma for the Romani community, exacerbated by issues like drug problems and illegal constructions.

Germany News Western Europe

Germany, Sinti and Roma

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Germany, Sinti and Roma

According to Michael Hartmann, the anti-Gypsyism commissioner for Rhineland-Palatinate, Sinti and Roma often face discrimination in everyday school life. “Many teachers know just as little about these minorities as their students do,” the SPD politician said in an interview with the German Press Agency (dpa) in Mainz.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Roma

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Slovenia and Roma

Mayors from Southeast Slovenia and Posavje met with government representatives to discuss long-term solutions for issues related to the Roma community, focusing on public safety, social policy, education, and employment. The mayors emphasized the need for collaboration between the state and local communities to address administrative barriers and implement effective measures.

They called for a comprehensive legislative framework that integrates public safety, social policy, and employment to achieve sustainable improvements in the community.

Well, again without Roma. This will not solve any problems …

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Education in Bulgaria

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Education in Bulgaria

The municipality of Montana is continuing its project for the educational desegregation and integration of Roma children for the fourth consecutive year, funded by a national program from the Ministry of Education and Science.

Five partner schools will provide free transportation and educational materials to 222 students from the ‘Kosharnik’ neighborhood, along with the appointment of an educational mediator to support school-family connections.

Various activities throughout the school year, including sports events, workshops, and literary readings, will involve both the children and their parents, with additional training planned for the parents.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma Ball and Politics

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Roma Ball and Politics

Novi Sad Mayor Žarko Mićin stated this evening at the tenth anniversary Roma Ball in Veternik that the City would continue to support the Roma community, emphasizing that unity and mutual respect are key to the further development of Novi Sad.

The ceremony, held at the “Kristal” hall, also marked the 10th anniversary of the Roma association “Bela Romkinja,” the organizer of this traditional ball.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbian Elections

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Serbian Elections

Salih Saitović, president of the Democratic Union of Roma (DUR), urged national media to include issues important to the Roma community in election debates and demand concrete answers from politicians. DUR plans to request discussions on employment, education, housing, social protection, and equality for Roma.

Saitović emphasized the importance of genuine Roma participation in decision-making processes, beyond mere presence during election campaigns.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovak Local Elections

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Slovak Local Elections

Zoltán Kašo (Team Košice), a candidate for the chairmanship of the Prešov Self-Governing Region, has withdrawn his candidacy in favor of Samuel Migaľ (independent), the Minister of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization. He would establish a Roma council

Zoltán Kašo—a civic activist, founder of the civic association “Path to a Better Future” (Cesta pre lepšiu budúcnosť), and a teaching assistant—focuses primarily on social services, support for young families, and addressing generational poverty in Roma settlements.

Greece News Western Europe

Work and Roma

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Work and Roma

This tourist season in the Northern Sporades, particularly in Skiathos, has seen an increase in the hiring of Roma workers to fill vacancies in the hospitality sector due to a labor shortage.

The demand for seasonal workers has led businesses to seek candidates from diverse backgrounds, with Roma workers primarily employed in kitchens, cleaning, and other support roles.

While some employers report early departures among workers, this issue is not unique to any specific group and reflects broader challenges in the tourism industry regarding staffing and accommodation.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

SNS in Kragujevac

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SNS in Kragujevac

The local organization SRCE Kragujevac reported that a leader of the Serbian Progressive Party (the current ruling party in Serbia) is attempting to remove a cross in the Palilula neighborhood, a traditional gathering place for Roma and other citizens.

The official claims the gatherings disturb his family’s peace and is using political influence to push for the cross’s removal.

SRCE argues that the cross holds significant spiritual and cultural importance for the community and warns that its removal would demonstrate intolerance towards the Roma community’s rights and traditions.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Stolipinovo Demolitions

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Stolipinovo Demolitions

Authorities in Plovdiv are continuing their crackdown on illegal construction in the Stolipinovo Roma neighborhood, which has been linked to drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl.

The police have begun by demolishing a large illegal fence and are increasing drug checks in the area, which has a notorious reputation for drug distribution.

Senior Commissioner Vasil Kostadinov emphasized the need for law enforcement and construction regulations to combat crime effectively in Stolipinovo, where three individuals have been arrested for fentanyl distribution.

Europe Montenegro News Eastern Europe

EU Enlargement and Roma

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EU Enlargement and Roma

The seventh ministerial meeting on the integration of Roma in the EU enlargement process was held in Podgorica, Montenegro, emphasizing the need for concrete actions to improve the situation of the Roma community.

Officials highlighted the importance of transforming policies into tangible results, focusing on education, employment, and combating discrimination.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment to regional cooperation and the belief that Roma inclusion is crucial for human rights and economic potential in the Western Balkans.

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