Hungary News Eastern Europe

Silence …

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Silence …

On August 2, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar and Speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer remained silent about the Roma Holocaust, which the Roma Press Center criticized, stating that silence is also a stance.

They emphasized the importance of acknowledging the historical tragedy of the Roma community, particularly the extermination of nearly 3,000 Roma individuals at Auschwitz in 1944.

The article highlights the historical responsibility of the Hungarian state in the persecution and deportation of Roma people, calling for public acknowledgment and reflection on this dark chapter of history.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Relocation …

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Relocation …

That was to be expected. After the relocation of Roma from Slovakia to Szalonna, Hungary, the extreme-right movement “Mi Hazánk”manifested itself.

It is urging government officials to “protect” the village of Szalonna from the relocation of residents from troubled neighborhoods in Košice, citing concerns over mass migration.

The Hungarian Ministry of Interior is investigating the relocation of Roma families from the Lubina settlement in Košice, focusing on the legality and transparency of the real estate transactions involved.

The demolition of the Lubina settlement, which affected seven families from a marginalized Roma community, has been described as highly unusual by the Slovak government’s commissioner for Roma communities.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia Commemoration

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Slovenia Commemoration

The President of the Roma Community in Slovenia, Jožek Horvat – Muc, emphasized that discussions about the genocide against Roma are crucial for understanding human rights and the current status of the Roma community.

He highlighted the dangers of marginalization and the persistence of anti-Roma sentiment in Europe, which is rooted in historical prejudice and exacerbated by contemporary socio-political issues.

The memorial event served as a reminder of the systematic extermination of Roma during the Nazi regime and underscored the importance of preserving historical memory to combat discrimination and promote social equality today.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Really?

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Really?

The Tatranská gallery recently opened a new exhibition. The project entitled The Color of Faith presents the works of Ľubomír Hajdučík and Jozef Sedlák. It is a theological-anthropological visual probe of the experience of faith in selected Roma communities from the settlements of Podhorany and Kolačkov.

So far so good … but then …

According to the gallery: “In the given realities, the project reveals the historically given essential orientation and attachment of the Roma in religious rituals to the magic of colors, the fascination with colorful ornaments and the ostentatiousness of clothing. In a contextual way, it captures the paradigm of the specific relationship of the Roma to the ceremonial service of liturgical ceremonies of baptism, first communion, funerals, weddings or the consecration of specific families, dwellings and entire urban spaces of settlements.”

Bosnia News Eastern Europe

Roma in Bosnia

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Roma in Bosnia

Dervo Sejdić highlights the historical persecution of Roma during the Nazi occupation and the ongoing discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly regarding the unimplemented Sejdić-Finci ruling by the European Court of Human Rights.

Sejdić, a prominent Roma rights advocate, gained recognition for his role in a landmark case that challenged the ethnic-based political system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which excludes minorities from political representation.

Despite facing numerous obstacles, including nationalist opposition and a lack of international support, Sejdić continues to fight for the rights of minorities and the democratization of the country.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Ethnic Cleansing and Pogrom

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Ethnic Cleansing and Pogrom

In April 1995, the Roma settlement in Danilovgrad, Montenegro, was completely destroyed during an anti-Roma pogrom after two young Roma were accused of having raped a local girl.

A police academy was built on the site of the settlement with no memorial left at the site.

Human rights activist Aleksandar Saša Zeković has called for a memorial to acknowledge the historical injustice and educate future police officers about the importance of protecting minority rights.

The UN Committee against Torture found that Montenegro violated international conventions by failing to prevent the violence and subsequent forced eviction of the Roma community.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Brawl in Bulgaria

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Brawl in Bulgaria

Several articles about a brawl among Roma families in Vurshitz, Bulgaria. Apparently this ivolved a large group of Roma but only resulted in one person sustaining a cut on its arm.

According to the articles, the police prevented a worse outcome.

Additional police units were deployed to maintain public order, and those involved in the fight were detained for up to 24 hours while an investigation was initiated.

Uncategorized

Relocation – continued

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Relocation – continued

The Slovak government is overseeing the relocation of two Roma families from Košice to Hungary, with plans to evaluate the situation and issue a statement after visiting the families.

Local officials, including the mayor of Košice, deny claims of organized relocation, asserting that the families moved voluntarily and purchased properties independently.

Concerns have arisen in Hungary regarding the arrival of these families, leading to local councils considering regulations to protect community identity and prevent unwanted relocations.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Hungary and Roma

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Hungary and Roma

In her Facebook post, Minister of Education and Children’s Affairs, Lannert Judit, urged greater involvement of Roma communities, long-term cooperation and broader social dialogue.

The Minister announced in her post that the Roma Cultural Forum will be established at the initiative of the Social Policy Coordination led by Kriszta Bódis. The initiative aims to ensure that the experiences of Roma professionals, cultural actors and researchers are directly reflected in the preparation of policy decisions.

News Eastern Europe Poland

Łódź

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Łódź

A memorial ceremony was held at the Romani Forge in Łódź to commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Romani and Sinti Genocide during the Holocaust, recalling the tragic fate of over 5,000 Romani and Sinti prisoners held in a Nazi camp in 1941.

The event highlighted the importance of remembering the extermination of Romani people during WWII, and the ongoing need for education and awareness to prevent such atrocities from happening again.

Local officials emphasized the horrific conditions in the Litzmannstadt Ghetto and the subsequent deportation and murder of survivors in extermination camps, urging reflection on the lessons learned from this dark chapter in history.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova Commemoration

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Moldova Commemoration

A memorial plaque was inaugurated on August 3rd at the Visterniceni train station in Chișinău to commemorate the Roma deported during World War II, coinciding with the European Day of Commemoration of the Roma Holocaust.

Vasile Drangoi shared his family’s tragic story of deportation, highlighting the suffering and loss experienced by the Roma community during this period.

The Moldovan authorities are working on a national plan to promote awareness of the Roma Holocaust, including addressing anti-Roma sentiment in educational programs.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Uštica

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Uštica

The International Day of Remembrance of Romani Victims of Genocide, Samudaripen, was commemorated at the Romani memorial cemetery in Uštica, Croatia, emphasizing the importance of remembering the suffering of Roma during World War II as part of European collective memory.

The commemoration included the opening of the ‘Amare, amale’ Peace and Friendship Park, dedicated to those who helped persecuted Roma, and highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Roma in education, employment, and public services.

Officials stressed that remembrance must extend beyond annual commemorations to include education and the fight against discrimination, warning that indifference can lead to tragedy, and that the memory of Samudaripen is a shared responsibility of Croatian and European history.

News Eastern Europe Poland

Auschwitz

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Auschwitz

Polish President Karol Nawrocki emphasized the importance of remembering the the Roma Genocide in the Holocaust during the 82nd anniversary of the liquidation of the Romani camp in Birkenau, condemning all forms of racism and extremism.

Survivors and community leaders called for the inclusion of Romani history in European school curricula to combat rising anti-Romani sentiment and discrimination.

The event highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by Romani people in Europe, including discrimination in education, healthcare, and employment, while reaffirming Poland’s commitment to remembering the victims of the Romani genocide.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Jasenovac / Uštice

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Jasenovac / Uštice

The International Day of Remembrance of the Romani Victims of Genocide (Samudaripen) was commemorated in Uštica near Jasenovac, with the opening of the ‘Amare, amale’ Peace and Friendship Park for Roma.

Minister of Labor Alen Ružić emphasized Croatia’s support for the culture of remembrance, stating that the suffering of the Roma must never be forgotten as it is essential for a society of tolerance and equality.

MP Veljko Kajtazi reminded attendees of the suffering of Roma during World War II and the importance of remembrance as a responsibility of the living.

Austria News Western Europe

Lackenbach

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Lackenbach

Approximately 4,000 Roma and Sinti were deported from the Lackenbach detention camp during the Nazi era, with only a few hundred surviving, most of whom were murdered.

The commemoration event emphasizes the importance of remembering these atrocities, which occurred within local communities, and the need to confront the past to ensure a peaceful future.

Political leaders stress the necessity of protecting minority rights and combating hate and discrimination as part of honoring the memory of the victims.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Liberec

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Liberec

The City of Liberec commemorated Romani and Sinti victims of Nazi persecution by flying the Romani flag and emphasizing the importance of tolerance and respect in society.

The Liberec Regional Authority and local officials met with Romani community representatives to honor historical memory and promote dialogue against hate and racism.

The article highlights the tragic history of the Romani and Sinti during the Holocaust, including their deportation and murder in concentration camps, and calls for ongoing recognition and commemoration of this genocide.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Commemoration in Slovakia

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Commemoration in Slovakia

The Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Roma Holocaust emphasizes the importance of remembering historical events that should not be forgotten and should be included in history education.

The Ministry of Education in Slovakia highlighted that remembering the Roma Holocaust is a sign of respect for the victims and contributes to preserving historical memory, promoting a society based on respect and understanding.

The commemoration marks the events of August 2-3, 1944, when nearly 3,000 Roma were murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau, with an estimated half a million European Roma and Sinti killed during World War II, and around 1,000 Roma victims in Slovakia alone.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Commemoration in Serbia

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Commemoration in Serbia

The Topovske Šupe camp was the first concentration camp for Jews and Roma in occupied Belgrade during World War II, where 5,000 Jews and 1,500 Roma perished.

Krinka Vidaković Petrov, director of the Staro Sajmište Memorial Center, emphasized the need for an inclusive culture of remembrance, advocating for a memorial plaque for Roma victims alongside the existing one for Jews.

Igor Jovanović, deputy president of the Belgrade City Assembly, highlighted the significance of August 2 as a day to remember the suffering of the Roma people during the war, as recognized by the European Parliament in 2015.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Commemoration in Hungary

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Commemoration in Hungary

A memorial event for the Roma Holocaust was held in Hódmezővásárhely, attended by government, municipal, religious, and civil representatives, emphasizing the importance of combating hate and exclusion today.

Minister Zoltán Tarr highlighted the need to acknowledge past wrongs and promote social reconciliation during his speech.

Mayor Péter Márki-Zay noted that Hódmezővásárhely was the first city in Hungary to publicly commemorate the victims of the Roma Holocaust, warning that genocides result from long-term exclusionary processes.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation

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Relocation

Several more articles on the relocation of Slovak Roma to Hungary.

The Hungarian Ministry of Interior is investigating the relocation of Roma families from the Lubina settlement in Košice to Szalonna, focusing on the legality and organization of the real estate transactions involved.

Concerns from Szalonna residents regarding safety are being taken seriously, and the ministry plans to collaborate with Slovak authorities to clarify the situation.

The mayoral candidate for Košice, Miroslav Sabol, has filed a criminal complaint regarding the eviction of the illegal Lubina settlement, while the local mayor insists the process was not politically motivated and was organized through the non-profit sector.

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