Reports and complaints about the improper treatment of Roma in Poland’s prisons have reached the ombudsman’s desk and indicate the widespread use of stereotypes and violations of prisoners’ rights.
Bad, but not surprising.
An interview with a Czech activist living in Slovakia. She speaks about the prejudices that Roma are facing there. About stereotypes, she says:
“That Roma don’t want to work, they are just a burden and if they wanted to, they would get out of that situation right away. That’s a narrative I don’t agree with because social problems can’t be solved quickly. And people feel that it is everyone’s personal fault when they live in poverty. But often it may not be the fault of the person and his family, but the fault of the system. Especially if a person is already born into generational poverty and is not to blame.”
Recent research shows that Roma men and women are the most frequent victims of discrimination, but the number of cases reported to the Ombudsman, special ombudsmen, police and courts is still extremely low. In order to empower the victims of discrimination, Informative Legal Center (IPC) Roma mediators visited Roma settlements in Brod-Posavina and Osijek-Baranja counties for 10 months and spoke with victims of discrimination and connected them with IPC legal staff who provided them with free legal assistance. The victims of discrimination with whom the Roma mediators talked most often complained about discrimination at work and in employment. They say that employers can often conclude that they are members of the Roma national minority based on their name, surname or address, and do not even invite them to a job interview. If they come for an interview in person, they find that employers use various excuses to not hire them, such as the position being filled, even though the ad is still active.
When a Rom complains about police’s actions, the truth is difficult to uncover. In Slovakia, the police need not fear any punishment, according to Amnesty International director Rado Sloboda.
He went to a regular work dinner but ended up in handcuffs at the police station. He claims that they pressed his head against a table, beat him and kicked him. Roma activist Zoltán Sztojka draws attention to an incident at the regional police department in Trnávka, Bratislava, where, according to his own words, he was beaten. He talks about slaps, kicks and racist insults.
“Being a Roma woman is being a warrior.” Racism is everyday life for Roma. “We are independent, we are strong and we make our dreams come true” – this is how 28-year-old Olena, a lawyer from Ukraine, replied to the question about what Romani women are like. Olena is one of the 6 heroines of the second instalment of the series of portraits of Roma women prepared by the W Torona Dialogu Foundation. The goal of the campaign is clear – it’s time for Roma women to come out of the shadows and talk about themselves on their own terms and in their own words.
Discrimination is a big issue in Slovenia, but everyone can help ensure that everyone receives decent treatment and equal opportunities. These are the main messages of the conference of the European co-financed project Let’s face discrimination, with which the Defender of the Principle of Equality, the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television of the University of Ljubljana (AGRFT), the Association of Municipalities of Slovenia and the Prizma Foundation raise awareness about protection against discrimination.
Social Democrat MP Romana Nikolić gave a lecture at the Faculty of Philosophy in Osijek entitled “Antigypsyism” in which she pointed out the problem of discrimination and marginalization and the lack of integration faced by the Roma in Croatia. According to her, the poor social status of the Roma is clear based on statistics: monthly incomes place more than 92% of Roma households at risk of poverty, 85% of households use social services, and a third of Roma live in dilapidated and inadequate buildings. 70% of them also live in segregated settlements without social amenities.
Surprise: Roma face discrimination and negative portraying in the media in the Czech Republic…
In Germany, the number of reported crimes and discrimination against Sinti and Roma is increasing. The German federal government’s antigypsy commissioner complains about everyday racism that cuts across all areas of society. An interview with Mehmet Daimagüler about causes and solutions.
Another article on the Slovenian village of Dobruška and its “Roma Problem”. According to the article, 350 Roma live there, and only two have work. Again, the question whether a Roma councillor would help.
In all these articles, the real question, i.e. why are all these Roma unemployed, is only addressed in a one way direction: Roma re not qualified, do not want to work, and so on, but never, that even with qualifications, nobody wants to give them work.
Another article with details on how the city of Hannover systematically discriminated against Roma.
The Slovene Ombudsman Peter Svetina visited the municipalities of Škocjan, Sevnica and Radeče, where he met with mayors. In Škocjan, he was informed about the problems they have with individual Roma. At the same time, Svetina emphasized that positive discrimination against the Roma minority cannot discriminate against the rights of the majority population. After the meeting he clarified the statemen, saying Roma population have legislation which protects them, “but positive discrimination cannot discriminate against the rights of the majority population”, but the right balance must be found. “Also, protective legislation does not give the Roma population a free hand for criminal acts”.
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Criminal charges were filed against the city of Hannover for discrimination against Sinti and Roma.
The City of Hannover has admitted that they discriminated against Roma for years.
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Several articles about the constant discrimination faced by Roma in Germany. Be it searching for job or as refugees, the picture is not flattering for Germany.
A statement by the Ombudsman Peter Svetina can raise a few eyebrows. He visited the municipalities of Škocjan, Sevnica and Radeče, where he met with the mayors and opened the Ombudsman’s Corner. In Škocjan, he was informed about the problems they have with individual Roma. He Svetina emphasized that positive discrimination against the Roma minority cannot discriminate against the rights of the majority population.
An interview with a catholic deacon on the “Roma Problem” in Slovenia. The deacon is not that clear cut on the roots of the problem and far less on potential solutions. Well, he at least helps some Roma.
The Roma activist Gianni Jovanovic states it clearly: Cologne is not really a tolerant city.
Students from the Roma Association “Romaversitas” started a campaign against the abuse of quotas at the university and a correction in the application of the enrolment policy, after five Roma students who applied to the Faculty of Medicine were rejected from the state and private quota of the faculty.
Another article on the mayor’s initiative for changing the laws on social benefits clearly directed against the Roma minority without mentioning them.
There must be better solutions.
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