Tag Archives: Discrimination

Germany News Western Europe

Commission on Discrimination

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Commission on Discrimination

A commission has been established to address historical discrimination and institutional injustices faced by Sinti and Roma in post-war Germany, comprising equal representation from both minority and majority communities.

Michael Brand emphasized the importance of this commission as a crucial step in systematically addressing injustices that occurred after 1945.

The commission aims to make experiences of injustice visible, close knowledge gaps, and derive consequences for the present and future, with support from the Foundation for Remembrance, Responsibility, and Future (EVZ).

Europe

Council of Europe on Racism

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Council of Europe on Racism

The Council of Europe reports an alarming rise in racism and hate speech in Europe, particularly against Romani communities, which often goes unnoticed.

Adèle Sutre highlights that anti-Romani racism is perpetuated by political actions and persistent stereotypes, with many Romani people being unfairly labeled as nomadic despite most being sedentary.

In Sweden, foreign Roma are denied free healthcare available to other EU migrants, and the economic struggles of Romani women in Romania, particularly florists, are exacerbated by rising prices and online competition.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Roma “Problematic”

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Roma “Problematic”

The Dolenjska People’s Initiative held its fourth consultation in Novo mesto regarding issues related to the Roma community and conditions in southeastern Slovenia, highlighting the absence of many invited participants.

Key attendees included local and state representatives, but many Roma councilors and organizations like Amnesty International were notably absent, raising concerns about engagement.

Not surprising when you consider what policies the inititative is proposing…

News Eastern Europe Romania

Housing Discrimination?

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Housing Discrimination?

A young Romni, B.R., raised in child protection, has written an open letter to the mayor of Cluj, Emil Boc, questioning why she and others like her do not receive social housing despite being educated and employed.

B.R. shares her experiences of discrimination and emphasizes that not all Roma should be judged based on the actions of a few, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of her community.

She highlights the need for social housing criteria to be reconsidered, suggesting that those who work and contribute to society should be prioritized over those who perpetuate negative stereotypes.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Cluj and Roma

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Cluj and Roma

Local councilor Dragoș Roșianu criticized fellow councilor Daniel Meze for generalizing about relocated Roma families after a fire incident, urging him to verify facts directly with affected families.

The fire, which affected 16 apartments, was attributed to an electrical issue, not the ethnicity of the residents, highlighting the need for responsible administration and fact-based discussions.

Roșianu emphasized the importance of integration and support for Roma families, rejecting stigmatization and calling for constructive dialogue to address any issues within the community.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Czech Consul Torak

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Czech Consul Torak

Petr Torák, Czech Honorary Consul and director of the British NGO COMPAS says that “If Roma are not integrated and segregation deepens, it will have a massive impact on how the majority society perceives them.” “When I was a teenager in the Czech Republic, I wanted to show everyone that, even though I am Roma, I could be just as capable as anyone else,” he recalls.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

A Success Story

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A Success Story

Mariana reflects on her childhood in a close-knit community and the discrimination she faced as a Romni when seeking work after her education.

After moving to the Czech Republic, she found better job opportunities and a more positive work environment compared to Slovakia, but faced challenges upon returning home to care for her mother.

Mariana emphasizes the need for support and education for Romani children in settlements to help them envision a different life and avoid being stuck.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Lawsuit

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Lawsuit

The Serbian Roma Party has filed a lawsuit against Dragan J. Vučićević, editor of Informer TV, for discrimination and hate speech after he referred to Roma as “cable thieves” in a broadcast.

The lawsuit argues that associating an entire ethnic group with criminal activity is discriminatory and calls for stronger legal protections against such actions.

The Roma Party is advocating for changes in discrimination laws to ensure that media figures face appropriate consequences for spreading discriminatory messages.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece: Motion

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Greece: Motion

Four members of the New Left party in Greece raised concerns in Parliament about alleged racist targeting of Roma by the Greek police during the “ENTOΣ” operation, particularly regarding the attempted eviction of a Roma community in Thessaloniki.

The European Commissioner for Human Rights has intervened, highlighting police practices that involve heavily armed forces in areas associated with Roma, raising issues of ethnic targeting and police violence.

The MPs are demanding detailed reports from the government on the number of police checks, arrests, and legal proceedings involving the Roma community, questioning the justification for the extensive police actions given the relatively small number of arrests compared to the population.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Discrimination

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Discrimination

The story of a Roma boy’s first day at school, where classmates reportedly rejected him based on his ethnicity, was shared by his mother on social media.

The school principal confirmed the incident, stating it was an isolated case of inappropriate behavior among students, and emphasized the school’s commitment to equality and respectful relationships.

The article highlights the broader societal issue of discrimination against Romani children and calls for reflection on the impact of such rejection on young students.

Well, Slovenia’s general attitude towards Roma is not really positive …

Germany News Western Europe

Romanity

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Romanity

Renate Bürner interviews Radoslav Ganev, a founder of the Romanity association, discussing the organization’s concerns and projects.

The conversation focuses on raising awareness about the prejudices and images surrounding the 600-year history of Sinti and Roma in Germany and other countries, which continue to lead to discrimination and violence.

The discussion also addresses the need for a proper remembrance culture of the genocide and the societal and cultural contributions of the Sinti and Roma.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Some SMARK Results …

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Some SMARK Results …

The report reveals that 51% of Roma communities in Slovakia lack sidewalks, with many also facing barriers like rivers or railways separating them from the rest of the municipality. While the Sociographic Mapping of Roma Communities (SMARK 2025) indicates improvements in technical infrastructure since 2019, particularly in water supply, sewage, electricity, and public lighting,

significant disparities remain between Roma localities and surrounding municipalities, particularly in access to gas and other utilities.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

SMARK

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SMARK

The SMARK initiative aims to provide updated data on the living conditions of people in Roma communities, helping to identify and address specific issues.

The mapping shows an increase in the Roma population since 2019, with changes in the municipalities providing data, including the largest Roma community now being Jarovnice instead of Košice-Luník IX.

Positive developments in integration efforts are noted in Nové Zámky, where principles of desegregation and destigmatization have led to significant progress.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Racism in School

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Racism in School

On the first day of school at Šmihel Primary School in Novo mesto, Slovenia, a Roma child was bullied by classmates who expressed their refusal to be in the same class as him, highlighting ongoing discrimination against Roma children in schools.

The mother of the bullied child emphasized that such discrimination starts early and worsens over time, with complaints about Roma children beginning in the first grade.

Local Roma councilor Bojan Tudja noted that incidents of discrimination are common and that schools often fail to address these issues, leading to a negative environment for Roma students.

News Switzerland

Roma in Geneva

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Roma in Geneva

The article discusses the media focus on the Romani communities in Geneva, highlighting the political attention on their living conditions and the push to remove their presence from public view.

It criticizes the right-wing political stance that prioritizes cleanliness over the welfare of these communities, suggesting that their systematic removal exacerbates vulnerability and exploitation.

The article calls for a more humane approach to social integration and housing solutions for the Romani families, emphasizing the need for long-term support rather than punitive measures.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Leskovac Roma

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Leskovac Roma

A study on the position and needs of youth in Leskovac, Serbia, revealed significant issues such as unemployment and lack of opportunities, but did not specifically analyze the situation of young Roma and Romni.

The research, conducted with 301 participants aged 15 to 30, highlighted that nearly 90% of youth feel they lack equal opportunities compared to peers in other Serbian cities, with many planning to leave Leskovac.

The absence of data on ethnic backgrounds limits understanding of inequalities faced by young Roma and Romni, emphasizing the need for targeted research and inclusive youth policies.

Europe News Eastern Europe Poland

Young Roma

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Young Roma

The young Roma generation is determined to overcome discrimination and stigma in areas like education, housing, and employment, seeking self-determined paths.

Antiziganism is on the rise, with historical prejudices deeply rooted in society, leading to increased racism and stigmatization of Roma children.

The article highlights individual stories of young Roma who are breaking barriers and advocating for their rights, showcasing their aspirations and the challenges they face in a society that often marginalizes them.

Germany News Western Europe

Young Roma in Germany

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Young Roma in Germany

The documentary addresses the challenges faced by Sinti and Roma communities, highlighting deep-rooted prejudices and anti-Roma sentiment in society.

It features a film that follows four young Roma individuals who are challenging stereotypes and advocating for self-empowerment while navigating their cultural identity and societal challenges.

The young Roma generation is increasingly resisting discrimination in education, housing, and employment, striving for equal opportunities and societal recognition.

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.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Really?

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Really?

A municipal councilor in Sofia, Carlos Kontrera, proposed to immediately stop public transport lines in Roma neighborhoods following a violent incident involving a bus in the ‘Hristo Botev’ area, predominantly inhabited by Roma.

Kontrera claims that previous measures to shorten the bus route reduced incidents of vandalism, and he plans to propose further restrictions on the bus line.

He emphasizes that public transport is not a given for those who vandalize and suggests that stricter measures, including police presence, are necessary in these areas.

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