Europe

August 2nd.

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August 2nd.

The European Holocaust Memorial Day for Roma and Sinti is officially observed on August 2, recognizing the genocide of approximately 500,000 Roma during the Nazi regime, with various countries in Central and Southeastern Europe participating in memorial events.

Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have established official commemorations, while other countries like Bulgaria and Serbia observe the day informally or do not recognize it officially.

The memorial events often address not only historical atrocities but also contemporary issues of anti-Roma sentiment and discrimination in these regions.

Germany News Americas News Western Europe

Memory

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Memory

Frieda Daniels, a 93-year-old former high-wire artist, shares her experiences during the genocide at the time of the Holocaust to educate younger generations about the atrocities faced by the Sinti and Roma community.

She and her family were persecuted by the Nazis, with an estimated 500,000 Sinti and Roma murdered during the genocide.

Now living in California, Frieda continues to travel and speak about her past, recently reflecting on her experiences during a visit to an exhibition in Heidelberg, Germany.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Roma, History, and Croatia

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Roma, History, and Croatia

Several articles in the Croatian press about Roma history and the fact that “cigany” is a pejorative term. Some of the historical facts are to be debated … There have been quite a few ammends to Wikipedia that warrant some review.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia: Demolition

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Slovenia: Demolition

Amnesty International Slovenia and the Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy accuse the Novo Mesto municipality of failing to provide housing after the demolition of a woman’s home in a Roma settlement, citing violations of human rights and legal procedures. The municipality is enforcing demolition orders on illegal constructions in a Roma settlement, leading to protests from the Roma community.

It defends its actions, stating it was obligated to enforce a legal decision regarding the illegal structure and denies any wrongdoing regarding the individual’s rights.

A representative of the Roma community expresses frustration over the lack of support from the municipality, highlighting ongoing issues with access to basic utilities and the need for better living conditions. Roma leaders criticize the head of the Roma Association for inaction and demand legal protection and alternative housing for affected residents.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma in Greece

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Roma in Greece

Many members of the Roma community in Greece live on the margins of society, facing poverty, poor housing conditions, and limited access to education and healthcare.

Roma settlements are often located on city outskirts, lacking proper infrastructure and basic utilities, leading to high unemployment and social exclusion.

Despite government programs aimed at better integration, progress is slow due to deeply rooted barriers, including low education rates and widespread discrimination against the Roma.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Filipovtsi

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Filipovtsi

The Roma neighbourhood of Filipovtsi in Sofia, Bulgaria, saw the destruction of several buldings (deemed illegal) and resulted in a plethora of articles in the Bulgarian press.

25 “illegal” agricultural structures were demolished by the municipality, leading to the removal of over 40 horses, which caused tension between residents and journalists.

Apparently some journalists were attacked and injured.

Local authorities emphasized that the operation targeted only illegal structures on private land and would not affect residential buildings.

Roma residents expressed concern over the removal of the horses, which they rely on for income, and dissatisfaction with the cleanup of debris left after the demolition.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Education

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Education

Gabriela Gáborová, a Roma mayor in Slovakia, emphasizes the importance of education for Roma children and has prioritized building a kindergarten in her village, Vtáčkovce, while addressing illegal housing issues.

She faces discrimination as a Roma woman in her role, having received extremist threats since taking office, but remains committed to her work and believes in judging individuals by their actions rather than their ethnicity or gender.

Gáborová highlights the ongoing challenges of illegal constructions and land ownership disputes in her community, advocating for legal housing solutions and integration of Roma families into society.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation – Continued

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Relocation – Continued

Two Roma families from Košice, Slovakia, moved to Szalonna, Hungary, sparking discussions about potential organized resettlement, although officials deny any mass relocation plans.

Local authorities in both Košice and Szalonna have stated that the families moved voluntarily and that no program exists to facilitate the relocation of disadvantaged residents to Hungary.

The situation has led to emergency meetings in Szalonna to pass a regulation aimed at responsible property sales and ensuring new residents respect local community values.

The Slovak government is investigating claims regarding the relocation of Roma families from a settlement in Košice to Hungary, with officials planning to meet affected families for further information.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia Memorial

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Slovenia Memorial

The Maribor synagogue held a memorial event for the International Day of Remembrance of the Roma and Sinti genocide, emphasizing the need to remember and warn against rising intolerance in Europe.

Jožek Horvat Muc highlighted that the genocide, which claimed around half a million Romani lives during WWII, is often overlooked in history, and that current discrimination and hate speech against Roma persist in many European countries.

Slovenian officials acknowledged progress in integrating the Romani community but stressed the need for ongoing dialogue and responsibility to combat prejudice and protect human rights.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Hungary Commemoration

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Hungary Commemoration

August 2 is recognized as the international memorial day for the Roma Genocide during the Holocaust, marking the liquidation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Roma camp in 1944, where over 3,000 Roma were killed by the SS.

A remembrance event will take place in Miskolc, Hungary, including a mass for the victims and speeches by notable figures, commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Roma Holocaust Memorial.

The Roma Holocaust remains a lesser-known aspect of World War II, with ongoing efforts to ensure its recognition and remembrance in historical narratives.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

School Dropouts

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School Dropouts

The city of Podgorica and the NGO Center for Roma Initiatives have published a book addressing the causes and consequences of Roma and Egyptian children’s dropout from primary education, authored by Fana Delija.

The book emphasizes the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and discrimination, urging policymakers to ensure that no child drops out of school and to promote social integration.

The publication coincides with the European Day of Remembrance for the Roma genocide during World War II, aiming to foster understanding and combat racial discrimination in Montenegro.

Austria News Western Europe

Vienna Memorial Service

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Vienna Memorial Service

A memorial service for Roma and Sinti victims of the Holocaust will take place on August 2 at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, led by Auxiliary Bishop Franz Scharl, with a wreath-laying ceremony to follow.

Austria officially recognizes August 2 as a National Holocaust Remembrance Day for Roma and Sinti, commemorating the murder of approximately 4,300 individuals in Auschwitz in 1944.

The 30th Roma Pilgrimage to Mariazell is scheduled for August 9, celebrating faith and culture, with participation from Roma communities across Europe.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation Confusion

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Relocation Confusion

Mihály Dancs (from the Hungarian Roma Autonomy) discusses an agreement for the social department of the Košice municipality to visit families in Szalonna to understand their situation and help them stay if they wish. From the article it is not clear whether they have already been relocated or the relocation is intended.

He expresses doubts about the feasibility of families commuting to school in Košice due to language barriers and long travel distances, which could lead to conflicts within the local Roma community.

Dancs emphasizes the need to support the Roma families from Košice while ensuring that tensions do not arise within the Hungarian Roma community.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation Update

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Relocation Update

The Slovak city of Košice is destroying a Roma settlement. Some of the families seem to have been relocated to Szalonna, Hungary.

The mayor of Encs urged residents not to sell properties to prevent the town from becoming a site for these relocations, labeling the situation as a ‘ghetto’ issue.

Political tensions are rising, with right-wing parties like Mi Hazánk opposing the influx of Romani individuals, citing concerns about their integration and criminal backgrounds.

Austria News Western Europe

Austria and Roma

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Austria and Roma

In May, the police in Neusiedl am See issued a warning about a group of Roma in Parndorf, which sparked public outrage and criticism.

The warning referred to members of the ‘traveling people’ who were in the area, specifically a group of Roma from Alsace, France, and Germany, who frequently stop in Austrian communities during their travels to Evangelical Mission meetings.

It now turns out that the warning was vetted within the police …

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

NGOs in Montenegro

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NGOs in Montenegro

The NGO “Mladi Romi Podgorice” received funding for the project “One Country, Many Stories: An Intercultural Journey of Youth through Montenegro” aimed at enhancing intercultural dialogue and understanding between Roma, Egyptian, and majority youth in Montenegro.

The other article discusses the financial support of 120,000 euros provided to the NGO Elita Plus, co-founded by Astrit Hodža, the Secretary of the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Various projects funded by the ministry over the years are detailed, highlighting significant amounts awarded to Elita Plus, which has led to calls for an investigation into possible misuse of public office.

The NGO Network from the north of Montenegro has urged authorities to examine the circumstances surrounding the funding and the involvement of Hodža, who has been in office since June 2022.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Roma Teachers

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Roma Teachers

The shortage of teachers is a significant challenge for the educational system, but a new initiative is helping young people find careers in education.

The initiative “Teacher in My Community” has enabled twenty young individuals of Roma descent to graduate and many are now working in education.

The program identifies high-achieving students in small towns, supports their education, and facilitates internships in kindergartens to ensure they are employed after graduation.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Illegal Settlement

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Illegal Settlement

Residents of the Poduene district in Sofia are complaining about an illegal Roma settlement and severe living conditions near the Hadji Dimitar metro station, with local authorities ignoring the issue.

The area has been plagued by waste, fires, and aggressive stray dogs, despite numerous complaints to the district administration led by Mayor Kristian Hristov.

Citizens have filed a lawsuit against the local government for their inaction regarding the deteriorating conditions in the public property designated for green space and community use.

News Western Europe United Kingdom

Ando Glaso

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Ando Glaso

The Ando Glaso Roma Fest, Scotland’s largest festival celebrating Roma arts and culture, will be held on September 4-5 at the University of Glasgow and Destiny Church, featuring free events including live music and educational activities.

The festival aims to promote Roma culture through performances by renowned artists and a focus on youth engagement, with activities designed to build confidence and community ties among young Roma talent.

Key performances include Hungarian pop star Jázmin and various Romani ensembles, with the festival supported by local organizations and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Criminal Complaint

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Criminal Complaint

A criminal complaint has been filed against retired public prosecutor Jasmina Paunović and YouTube show host Dejan Lučić for racial and other discrimination due to controversial statements made during media appearances.

Lučić’s comments included conspiracy theories about a so-called “population replacement” and derogatory remarks about Roma people, which he referred to as a “fraud.”

The complaint alleges that Paunović and Lučić incited hatred and discrimination against members of the Serbian Progressive Party and other political opponents during their show aired on July 21.

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