Tag Archives: Discrimination

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.

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.

Europe France News Western Europe

Roma in Europe

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Roma in Europe

The European Union’s new strategy for combating discrimination against Roma, adopted on January 21, 2026, aims to address historical and institutional discrimination with more radical measures.

Roma, the largest ethnic minority in Europe, face significant socio-economic challenges, including high poverty rates and discrimination in access to education and healthcare.

The new strategy emphasizes education, equal rights, and political participation for Roma, while acknowledging the need to address broader societal issues that contribute to anti-Roma discrimination.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Unemployment in Romania

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Unemployment in Romania

In the first months of the year, 44 Roma were employed through the National Agency for Employment (ANOFM), highlighting the challenges faced by this ethnic group in the job market.

A total of over 14,000 people were hired, with vulnerable groups, including 242 individuals with disabilities, making up a small percentage of the total.

Discrimination and social barriers are significant obstacles for Roma individuals seeking employment, as noted by a young Roma woman, Ecaterina Pitula.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Orban and Roma

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Orban and Roma

When Viktor Orbán’s returned to power in 2010, laws were changed to allow and promote the segregation of Roma students in Hungary, reversing previous integration efforts.

The Chance For Children Foundation (CFCF) successfully challenged school segregation through legal means prior to 2010, resulting in the integration of approximately 3,000 Roma students. The current situation shows a significant increase in Roma students attending segregated schools, with estimates suggesting that two-thirds are now in such institutions, compared to one-third before Orbán’s regime.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Montenegro and Roma

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Montenegro and Roma

The Roma and Egyptian communities in Montenegro face structural discrimination, low living standards, and limited access to education, employment, and social security, necessitating long-term interventions for true equality and integration.

A significant portion of individuals at risk of statelessness are children, with many lacking birth registration, which is essential for legal identity.

Despite existing laws and programs aimed at inclusion, high levels of discrimination persist, particularly in education and employment, leading to poverty and social isolation among these communities.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Women Health in Hungary

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Women Health in Hungary

Romnja in Hungary face systemic control in healthcare, often losing autonomy over their bodies, exemplified by a 2006 case of forced sterilization. They experience double discrimination and skepticism from medical staff, leading to a significant loss of trust in the healthcare system, which adversely affects their health and quality of life.

The article highlights the underrepresentation of Roma women’s experiences in feminist movements and medical discussions, emphasizing the need for a more equitable healthcare system that acknowledges their unique challenges.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma in Crete

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Roma in Crete

The president of the Pan-Cretan Association of Greek Roma, Athanasios Katsaris, criticizes the Municipality of Heraklion and the State for the poor living conditions in the Roma settlement of Nea Alikarnassos, Crete, which he claims have remained unchanged for years.

He describes the living conditions as “miserable” and “inhumane,” stating that there is a lack of necessary care for the public health of the residents, who are citizens entitled to equal treatment.

Katsaris plans to protest at the next Heraklion Municipal Council meeting, demanding specific commitments and timelines to address the issues affecting the dignity and health of the settlement’s residents.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma Employment

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Roma Employment

Despite various programs aimed at improving the situation of the Roma community in Serbia, they remain one of the hardest groups to employ due to deep structural issues.

Government strategies often fail to translate into real opportunities, creating a facade of progress that does not reflect the daily lives of individuals.

The article argues that economic measures alone cannot address social exclusion without tackling the ingrained prejudices that define who is considered a ‘desirable’ worker.

News Western Europe Portugal

Portugal and Roma

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Portugal and Roma

DJ Jorge Syllvah performed at the National Gypsy People’s Day in Lisbon, highlighting the challenges faced by the Roma community in Portugal, including racism and discrimination.

The rise of the far-right party Chega has intensified xenophobic rhetoric against the Roma, leading to increased public discrimination and a push for community organization and activism.

Despite historical marginalization, the Roma community in Portugal is gaining visibility and representation, with recent legal victories against hate speech and a growing presence in education and political activism.

The traveling exhibition “Viagem Cigana” was inaugurated in Fornelos, Portugal, aimed at combating stereotypes and promoting knowledge about the Roma community.

The outdoor exhibition features 20 panels showcasing the origins of the Roma people, their arrival in Portugal, aspects of their culture, and testimonies of integration in the labor market.

The exhibition will continue to various locations before concluding in October in the city center, where collected testimonies will be presented.

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.

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 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 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.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Discrimination in Montenegro

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Discrimination in Montenegro

Roma in Montenegro face ongoing challenges, including housing conditions, education access, employment opportunities, and societal prejudices.

Activist Shejla Pepić highlights the discrimination faced by women in the Roma community and emphasizes the importance of education and activism.

Minister Fatmir Đeka notes improvements in the status of the Roma population, including reduced unemployment rates and increased educational enrollment among Roma children.

News Western Europe Sweden

Sweden and Roma 

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Sweden and Roma 

The Council of Europe has officially accused Sweden of systemic discrimination against Roma migrants, violating the European Social Charter by denying them medical care.

A report highlighted serious violations, including a lack of national rules leading to indirect discrimination through health service fees, with 129 cases showing inadequate care.

Historical issues of discrimination against Roma in Sweden include illegal ethnic profiling by police and barriers in education and housing, prompting calls for official apologies and memorials for the Roma community.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Politics and Roma

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Politics and Roma

The article critiques the political style of Dávid Endre, the deputy mayor of Székelyudvarhely, Romania, highlighting his use of enemy-focused politics that perpetuates social tensions rather than addressing underlying issues.

It discusses the problematic representation of the Roma community in media and film, particularly criticizing a documentary that portrays them solely through the lens of suffering without addressing structural causes of their poverty.

The author argues for the need for more nuanced and responsible media portrayals that include Roma voices and stories beyond stereotypes of crime and poverty.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma in Greece

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Roma in Greece

The greek Roma community of Gerakas expresses strong protest in an opebn letter against frequent police operations targeting their settlement, citing issues with illegal electricity connections due to inadequate infrastructure.

The community emphasizes that they are not using electricity illegally to avoid payment, but rather due to the state’s failure to provide proper connections.

The letter calls for immediate state intervention to address long-standing issues and criticizes the government for misusing European funds instead of promoting social integration for the Roma community.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Roma in Montenegro

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Roma in Montenegro

Elvis Beriša, the executive director of the NGO “Walk with Us,” discussed the marginalization of the Roma community in Montenegro in a podcast episode titled “Roma and Political Parties – Between Representation and Marginalization.”

He described the current status of the Roma community as “very unequal” compared to other minority communities, a sentiment he has held for the past decade.

Beriša emphasized that perceptions of the Roma community are changing slowly, and there is a need for greater awareness of their ability to participate in policy-making at both state and local levels.

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