Tag Archives: Discrimination

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Stolipinovo

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Stolipinovo

A German journalist visited the Plovdiv neighborhood of Stolipinovo to challenge the stereotype of it being the ‘most dangerous destination in the world.’

She highlighted both the visible issues in the area, such as waste and poor infrastructure, and the everyday life of its residents, including shops and social interactions.

The report emphasizes the need to recognize systemic issues and discrimination affecting the community, rather than attributing problems solely to the residents themselves.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Šutar Act

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Šutar Act

One year after Aleš Šutar’s death, mayors and social services report little improvement in safety and social conditions for the Roma community in southeastern Slovenia, despite the implementation of the ‘Šutar Act’.

The law, aimed at addressing social issues, has faced setbacks due to a constitutional court ruling that halted its enforcement, leading to a return to previous conditions.

While some Roma representatives claim safety has improved, they express concern over the negative impact of the law on the community’s welfare and emphasize that the actions of one individual should not reflect on the entire Roma population.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Work and Roma in Slovenia

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Work and Roma in Slovenia

Adis Hudorovac, a resident of a Roma settlement in Slovenia, struggles to find employment despite working public jobs and facing transportation challenges due to lack of a driver’s license.

The article discusses the impact of social welfare policies on Roma communities, highlighting the tension between social assistance and employment incentives, with some mayors expressing skepticism about Roma’s willingness to work.

Proposed solutions include job centers and training programs, but there are concerns about the effectiveness of current policies and the ongoing social issues within Roma communities.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Lunik IX

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Lunik IX

The article discusses the challenges and perceptions surrounding Luník IX, a marginalized Roma neighbourhood in Slovakia, highlighting its lack of accessibility and the stigma associated with it.

Participants of the Social Democratic Academy visit Luník IX to learn about regional development and integration of marginalized communities, encountering local children and community initiatives.

The author emphasizes the need for a shift in societal attitudes towards the Roma community, addressing generational poverty and the importance of education and integration efforts.

Germany News Western Europe

Young Roma

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Young Roma

The article discusses 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 who are actively combating stereotypes and advocating for empowerment amidst cultural and familial challenges.

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

Europe

ODHIR on Roma

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ODHIR on Roma

The Warsaw Human Dimension Conference addressed the democratic obligations and human rights of national minorities, focusing on Roma and Sinti issues, including anti-Roma racism and discrimination in various sectors.

The event highlighted the compounded discrimination faced by Roma and Sinti women, emphasizing the need for an intersectional approach to address issues of racism, misogyny, and gender-based violence. Advocates from Romania, Türkiye, and Spain discussed strategies for combating discrimination and the impact of societal issues like polarization and digital threats on Roma and Sinti women.

Human rights activist Gwendolyn Albert criticized the misuse of state security measures against Roma communities in several countries, highlighting police raids in Greece and the elimination of a human rights department in the Czech Republic.

Former Czech Government Commissioner Lucie Fuková emphasized the need for genuine political support and long-term mentoring for Roma candidates to ensure their successful participation in elections.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Special Schools

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Special Schools

An investigative report reveals that Roma children in Slovakia are being improperly transferred to special schools despite performing well academically, raising concerns about systemic discrimination. The report highlights that many of these children come from marginalized communities and that the special schools receive significantly higher funding per student compared to regular schools.

The Ministry of Education acknowledges the issue as a long-standing problem but defends the director of the special school involved, despite evidence of increasing enrollment in such institutions. In that special school in Snina, he number of students has increased by over 45% in two years.

Germany News Western Europe

Germany, Sinti and Roma

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Germany, Sinti and Roma

According to Michael Hartmann, the anti-Gypsyism commissioner for Rhineland-Palatinate, Sinti and Roma often face discrimination in everyday school life. “Many teachers know just as little about these minorities as their students do,” the SPD politician said in an interview with the German Press Agency (dpa) in Mainz.

Austria News Western Europe

Roma in Austria

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Roma in Austria

Josef Schmidt, born in 1971, grew up in a former Roma settlement in Burgenland, Austria, and faced discrimination during his school years, including being called derogatory names.

A recent police warning about “traveling people” has reignited feelings of discrimination among Roma, with Schmidt expressing concern that it unfairly stereotypes all Roma.

Organizations like Romano Centro in Vienna support both long-standing and newly arrived Roma and Sinti in Austria, focusing on employment, crisis support for women, and educational assistance for students.

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.

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