News Eastern Europe Poland

Auschwitz Commemoration

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Auschwitz Commemoration

The 82nd anniversary of the liquidation of the so-called Gypsy camp at Auschwitz will be commemorated on August 2, 2024, with events organized by the Center for History and Culture of the Roma in Oświęcim. During World War II, approximately 500,000 Roma and Sinti were murdered by the Nazis, with many being exterminated at Auschwitz.

August 2 is recognized in Poland as the Day of Remembrance for the Roma Genocide and is observed in the EU as the European Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust of Roma and Sinti.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Sterilisation

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Sterilisation

Ivan Ostrochovský’s film “Only Beautiful Things to Look At” explores the historical sterilization of Romnja in 1980s Czechoslovakia through the lens of a white doctor and a Romani nurse.

The protagonist, Dr. Ingrid, initially views sterilization as optional but gradually recognizes the coercive nature of the medical practices involved, influenced by her friendship with nurse Agáta.

The film, which premiered at the Karlovy Vary festival, combines a dark visual style with a haunting score, highlighting the emotional journey of its characters amidst a backdrop of systemic eugenics

Germany News Western Europe

Germany and Post-War Discrimination

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Germany and Post-War Discrimination

Historian Stefanie Schüler-Springorum discusses the ongoing discrimination and persecution in post-Nazi Germany, highlighting that groups such as Jews, Sinti, Roma, and homosexuals continued to face significant challenges and societal exclusion.

She emphasizes that while the end of the Nazi regime in 1945 marked a liberation for some, it did not equate to freedom for all, as many groups remained marginalized and subjected to ongoing discrimination.

Schüler-Springorum points out that remnants of these prejudices persist in contemporary German society, with issues of antisemitism, racism, and homophobia still prevalent, reflecting a deep-rooted notion of who is considered a “true German.”

In paralle, the German government has established an independent commission to address the injustices faced by Sinti and Roma in Germany and East Germany after 1945, implementing a key recommendation from the Independent Commission on Antiziganism.

The commission aims to comprehensively document the injustices, include unheard perspectives, and integrate the experiences of affected individuals and their descendants into German memory culture.

This initiative is part of a broader European movement towards state-led processes of historical reckoning, acknowledging Germany’s unique historical responsibility regarding the genocide of Sinti and Roma.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Brawl in Bulgaria

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Brawl in Bulgaria

Many articles in the Bulgarian press about a fight between two Roma families in a Roma neighbourhood of Asenovgrad which involved up to 250 people, and left several wounded, including a police officer.

This is bad for all.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Prejudice in Serbia

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Prejudice in Serbia

Zlata Petrović, a Serbian singer, openly discussed her Romani heritage and how she concealed it from her son until he was eight years old due to societal prejudices.

She emphasized the importance of being honest with friends and taught her son that he should not associate with those who judge him for his background.

Zlata revealed personal details about her family, including her mixed heritage and her late discovery of her father’s identity, while also planning for her family’s future by purchasing a new property.

News Eastern Europe Ukraine

War and Roma

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War and Roma

The article discusses the impact of war on the Roma community in Munkács, Ukraine, highlighting how traditional gender roles have shifted, with women becoming breadwinners while men face conscription.

The Romodrom integration center provides support for Roma children, offering education and meals, as many families struggle with poverty and lack of access to basic services like water. The article also addresses the stigma faced by the Roma community, including discrimination and stereotypes, while emphasizing the resilience and efforts of individuals to improve their circumstances.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Education in Slovenia

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Education in Slovenia

Borut Rončević, a sociology professor at the university of Novo Mesto and current minister of Eudcation in the Slovenian government, speaks about his plans and views. Specifically about Roma, he says there is a need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges faced by Roma children in schools, emphasizing collaboration across various sectors including education, social policy, and local communities. He highlights the importance of accountability among parents, teachers, and the state in ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, achieve basic educational standards. He insists on the equal application of laws for school attendance, something that is being reproached to Roma regularly.

What he did not discuss is the profound issues of exclusion and racism faced by Roma in the region.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Action Plan Serbia

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Action Plan Serbia

The Serbian government has established a Coordination Body to monitor the implementation of the Action Plan for minority rights for 2026-2029, aiming for better coordination among institutions.

Despite the positive signal of this initiative, past experiences suggest that creating new bodies does not guarantee significant improvements for minority communities.

The success of the Coordination Body will depend on its ability to translate decisions into concrete actions that improve education, employment, and reduce discrimination for minorities, particularly the Roma community.

We do have some doubts …

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Action Plan Montenegro

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Action Plan Montenegro

The Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy to improve the quality of life for Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro (2026-2027) aims to enhance their social standing through specific measures in education, employment, health care, and social protection.

Key initiatives include increasing educational access, job training programs, and the establishment of mediators to facilitate communication between communities and institutions.

The plan emphasizes the importance of collaboration among government bodies, local authorities, and civil society to achieve tangible results in improving the living conditions and rights of the Roma and Egyptian communities.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Artur Cerari

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Artur Cerari

Artur Cerari, the leader of the Roma community in Soroca, Moldova, passed away on July 4, 2026, at the age of 65. He succeeded his father, Mircea Cerari, who was a prominent figure in the Roma community during the Soviet era.

Cerari was known for mediating internal disputes and representing the Roma community in official matters, focusing on issues like economic migration and educational integration.

Te avel I phuv lohi I o drom angla leste puterdo.

News Eastern Europe Russia

Ekaterina Zhemchuzhnaya

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Ekaterina Zhemchuzhnaya

Ekaterina Zhemchuzhnaya, a renowned People’s Artist of Russia, passed away in Moscow at the age of 83, as reported by the Romani theater “Roman”.

She was celebrated for her versatility in acting, successfully portraying both dramatic and character roles throughout her career.

Zhemchuzhnaya joined the Roman Theater in 1964 and had over 20 film roles, including notable works like “Eternal Call” and “Carnival.”

Te javel i phuv lokhi.

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

Many articles this week on the closure of what was deemed the largest Roma camp near Paris, in Stains. Out of 800 people living there, only 48 have received a re-lodging offer. A shame.

Near Nantes, in Saint Herblain, same issue: Camp closure but no alternative for its residents.

A fire near Paris on the former site of a Roma camp, implicitely attributed to them.

Then two intersting articlees, one on the commemoration of the internment of travellers in France during thed War, and the second, a reportage in a commune led by the extreme right, faced with the fact that many Bulgarian Roma live there, employed by the local farmers…

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Hungarian Speakers in Slovakia

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Hungarian Speakers in Slovakia

The Slovak Hungarian Educational Atlas presents statistical data from 2010 to 2024, highlighting demographic changes and the role of Hungarian-speaking Roma children in sustaining Hungarian schools in Southern Slovakia.

The analysis reveals a decline in student numbers in rural areas while urban schools are growing, with significant differences between eastern and western regions, particularly due to the presence of Hungarian-speaking Roma.

Despite a slight increase in preschool enrollment, a notable percentage of children transition to Slovak schools, indicating a complex educational landscape where Hungarian schools face challenges in student performance compared to Slovak institutions.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Roma in Romania

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Roma in Romania

This Hungarian article discusses the challenges faced by the Roma community in Romania, highlighting the negative connotations associated with the term “cigány” (Gypsy) and the lack of unity among different Roma groups. Orsolya Csata, president of the Right Association, shares her efforts to create a social sewing workshop aimed at providing skills and employment opportunities for Roma children and adults.

The article emphasizes the need for systemic change and support for the Roma community, criticizing the lack of action from authorities and the misuse of EU funds intended for social programs.

News Switzerland

Travellers

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Travellers

In Graubünden, there is a shortage of designated parking spaces for the Jenische and Sinti communities, despite legal obligations for authorities to provide them. The lack of spaces is exacerbated by prejudices against these groups, which hinders the establishment of necessary facilities.

The article highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the traveling communities in securing adequate accommodations in the region.

Germany News Western Europe

Remember

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Remember

The Karlsruhe city council has named a square near Kapellenstraße as Familie-Reinhardt-Platz to honor the Sinti and Roma victims of the Nazis. There was consensus on the need for a memorial, but disagreement on the location, with some council members finding the chosen site inadequate.

The proposal was supported by multiple political parties, while the CDU suggested an alternative name and location for the memorial.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria and Begging

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Bulgaria and Begging

Plovdiv influencer Tihomov surprised his followers with an emotional video featuring two Roma children who often beg in the city. One child, 11-year-old Petko, expressed his desire to become a police officer and shared that he begs voluntarily while his parents work.

The children emphasized the importance of not stealing, highlighting a moral lesson during their conversation with the influencer.

Germany News Western Europe

Djelem Djelem Festival

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Djelem Djelem Festival

The 13th Djelem Djelem Arts and Culture Festival in Dortmund features the Roma Ball concert, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Romano Than association, which advocates for the visibility and empowerment of Roma communities in the Ruhr area.

The concert aims to celebrate milestones, challenges overcome, and the solidarity networks built over the past decade, promoting an inclusive and open space for cultural exchange.

The band “Amen Roma” will perform, blending traditional Roma music with modern influences, symbolizing self-determination and community identity.

Austria News Western Europe

Austria and Racism

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Austria and Racism

The UN special rapporteur on racism, Ashwini K.P., reports that far-right ideologies have entered the mainstream in Austria, highlighting an incident involving Ukrainian Roma children. Despite existing regulations and organizations aimed at combating racism in Austria, their efforts are fragmented and threatened by budget cuts, leaving deep-rooted racism unaddressed.

A comprehensive, human rights-based anti-racism strategy is necessary to improve the situation, as racism is prevalent in Austrian immigrant society.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Legal Aid

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Legal Aid

The Hungarian National Roma Self-Government (MROÖ) has launched a legal aid and information network to support Roma communities, with initial offices in Budapest, Miskolc, and Pécs. MROÖ President Dancs Mihály emphasized the importance of providing legal assistance to Roma individuals facing discrimination and legal issues, marking the initiative as a significant milestone.

The initiative aims to address historical injustices and ensure that Roma communities are not left without support in legal matters, with funding coming from Dancs’s own salary and expenses.

One has to note that this is in parallel to the European Roma Right Centre, located in Budapest, which has been active for decades.

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