Tag Archives: Minorities

News Eastern Europe Serbia

National Council of Minorities

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National Council of Minorities

The Republic Electoral Commission announced the electoral list “United Roma for a United Serbia” led by Dejan Lajković for the upcoming elections for the National Council of the Roma National Minority, scheduled for November 8.

Marina Đukanović, a member of the RIK, stated that the electoral list was received yesterday and that 35 members will be elected to the national council.

According to the temporary resolution from the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, at least 610 verified statements are needed, which is one percent of the 61,030 registered voters on the special electoral roll.

Austria News Western Europe

Burgenland Roma

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Burgenland Roma

An article which discusses the omission of Roma in a column about the coexistence of ethnic groups in Burgenland, Austria, highlighting the presence of over 3,000 Roma individuals in the region.

It mentions Manuela Horvath, the first Roma city councilor in Austria, emphasizing her role in promoting inter-ethnic relations beyond Burgenland.

The author reflects on the lack of education about the Roma during their school years and acknowledges the need for recognizing and admitting mistakes in public discourse.

Austria News Western Europe

House of Ethnic Groups

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House of Ethnic Groups

Hans Peter Doskozil, the Governor of Burgenland, calls the new House of Ethnic Groups a “century project” and a milestone for cultural diversity in the region.

The building, located on the site of a former municipal boarding school, hosts various cultural associations including Hungarian, Croatian, and Roma organizations.

The project cost approximately 20 million euros and includes seminar rooms, a library, an event hall, guest rooms, apartments, and a bistro.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

National Council Elections

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National Council Elections

On November 8, Roma voters will elect 35 members of the National Council of the Roma National Minority, with a focus on who will truly represent their interests over the next four years.

The National Council has legally defined responsibilities in education, culture, and language use, emphasizing the need for concrete actions to improve the situation of the Roma community.

The pre-election campaign must address specific questions about candidates’ proposals and accountability to the Roma community, beyond just the voting process.

Austria News Western Europe

House of Ethnic Groups

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House of Ethnic Groups

The new House of Ethnic Groups in Oberwart, Austria,  will officially open on September 26, coinciding with the European Day of Languages, promoting cultural diversity.

The center unites various organizations representing Burgenland’s ethnic groups, including Croatian, Hungarian, and Roma communities, providing facilities for cultural activities and collaboration.

The opening event will feature a public open house, allowing visitors to explore the new facilities and learn about the work of the involved organizations.

Latvia News Eastern Europe

Minorities and Politics

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Minorities and Politics

Dace Lindberga, the leader of the Rising Sun for Latvia (Latvian: Austošā Saule Latvijai ) is an ethnic nationalist and national conservative Latvian political party stated ahead of the upcoming parliemaentary elections that “We have only two ethnic minorities — Roma and Livonians — and we owe nothing to the Russians”.

News Asia

Lyuli

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Lyuli

The Lyuli/Mughat communities, often stereotyped as beggars, have a rich cultural heritage that includes craftsmanship, family life, and a complex identity shaped by their long history in Central Asia. Lyuli are most probably related to the same migratiobn that brought Roma to Europe.

The documentary “We Are (At) Home” by Shakhzoda Mirakova highlights the everyday lives of these communities, challenging the narrow public perception focused on poverty and marginalization.

Despite their integration into Central Asian society, the Lyuli/Mughat face significant challenges, including limited representation in education and public life, and are often labeled with derogatory terms that obscure their diverse identities.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Roma in Romania

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Roma in Romania

Iulian Paraschiv, president of the National Agency for Roma, stated that the Roma minority is the largest minority in Romania, although this is unofficial.

He explained that the classification is unofficial due to the lack of accurate census data on the Roma population.

The discussion highlights ongoing issues regarding the recognition and rights of the Roma community in Romania.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Hungarian Minority?

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Hungarian Minority?

There is a significant Hungarian-speaking Roma community in Slovakia. However, there is very little reliable data available on the size and characteristics of the community, and no research has been conducted on their political activity or party preferences. However, the votes of the Hungarian-speaking Roma community would already be very important for the Hungarian party to have a chance of reaching the parliamentary threshold, and due to the increasing demographic weight of the group, they will be essentially indispensable in the future.

The problem is, they are not voting for the Hungarian party …

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Vučić and Minorities

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Vučić and Minorities

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić visited the village of Strezovce, promising support to local Serbs, prompting a response from Preševo’s mayor, Ardita Sinani, highlighting the presence of Albanians and Roma in the municipality.

Sinani emphasized the need for equal treatment and investment in all communities, including Albanian areas, and criticized the government for its slow response to requests for projects in Albanian neighborhoods.

She called for equal rights and treatment for all residents, regardless of ethnicity, and vowed to continue advocating for the issues faced by Albanians in Preševo.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Atlas of Roma Communities

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Atlas of Roma Communities

A Hungarian view on the Atlas of Roma communities, the most accepted data source for the Roma population in Slovakia. Its latest data from 2019 indicates approximately 406,000 Roma, of which 58,000 belong to Hungarian-speaking communities. Actually, in the latest census, much more Roma identified themselves as Hungarians, and Hungarians in Slovakia actually fear that Roma declares tehmeselves as such, decreasing the overall Hungarian commun ity.

Germany News Western Europe

Invisible Minorities

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Invisible Minorities

The article discusses the concept of concealed identity, particularly among Roma and Jewish communities, highlighting the historical reasons for hiding one’s ethnic background due to discrimination and violence.

It explores the complexities of transgenerational concealed identity, where descendants inherit the burden of hidden heritage, often feeling alienated from both majority and minority groups.

The author reflects on personal experiences and the emotional resonance of identity, emphasizing the struggle between societal labels and personal resonance in defining one’s self.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Action Plan for Minorities

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Action Plan for Minorities

The inaugural meeting of the Coordination Body for Monitoring the Implementation of the Serbian Action Plan for Minority Rights (2026-2029) took place on August 11, with participation from state officials and minority councils.

Minister Demo Beriša emphasized the importance of collaboration between state institutions and minority councils to enhance the protection and realization of minority rights.

The Coordination Body will monitor the Action Plan’s implementation, analyze activities, address challenges, and propose measures for improvement, aiming for systematic oversight of minority rights.

Austria News Western Europe

Burgenland Roma

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Burgenland Roma

The Roma community has deep historical roots in Austria but continues to face prejudice, exclusion, and discrimination.

The documentary “Roma. A Cinematic Approach” spans from the 1930s to the present, highlighting both the suffering and the vibrant culture of the Roma people, including their music, traditions, and family stories.

The film features contributions from the Roma community, creating an authentic portrayal rather than an external perspective

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Hungarian Speaking Roma

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Hungarian Speaking Roma

The article discusses the political preferences and behavior of Hungarian-speaking Roma in Slovakia, highlighting their low political activity compared to non-Roma citizens.

A study found that only 24% of Hungarian-speaking Roma identify as committed ethnic voters, with many leaning towards Slovak parties rather than Hungarian ethnic parties.

The popularity of Igor Matovič’s Slovakia Movement is rising among Hungarian-speaking Roma, indicating a shift in political allegiance that could impact the Hungarian ethnic party’s representation.

News Eastern Europe Romania

High School Allocations

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High School Allocations

In Iași County, Romania, the admission process for high schools in 2026 includes 354 distinct places, with 205 allocated for Roma students and 149 for candidates with special educational needs (SEN).

The options for enrollment must be completed on July 13 and 14, 2026, with the allocation of students occurring on July 16, 2026, through a computerized system.

Roma students need a written recommendation confirming their ethnicity to participate, while SEN candidates must submit a certificate from the County Center for Resources and Educational Assistance

Now the question is, who certifies the Romani ethnicity? This is a dangerous path.

Austria News Western Europe

Austrian Minorities

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Austrian Minorities

The Austrian National Council has made a significant step in recognizing the importance of ethnic groups in Burgenland by constitutionalizing all six recognized indigenous groups, including Croats, Hungarians, and Roma.

Philip Juranich, a Green Party representative and member of the Burgenland Croatian community, emphasizes that this recognition enhances visibility, respect, and appreciation for these groups.

A new annual report on ethnic groups will be introduced to assess their overall situation, particularly in language and culture, and to ensure greater involvement of ethnic councils in the parliamentary process.

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.

Bosnia News Eastern Europe

Conference in Bosnia

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Conference in Bosnia

A conference supported by the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina focused on the political participation of national minorities and proposed changes to the electoral law to ensure their representation at various government levels.

Council Chairman Mujo Fafulić emphasized the need for guaranteed seats for national minorities in the electoral law, aiming for representation by 2028 and 2030.

OSCE officials highlighted the importance of inclusive decision-making and the ongoing challenges in implementing legal protections for national minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Austria News Western Europe

Minorities

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Minorities

A reform package in Austria aims to constitutionally recognize all six indigenous ethnic groups in the country, including Croats, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, and Roma.

A new ethnic group forum will be established, and an annual report will be developed to inform about federal measures for the promotion and preservation of these groups.

The package also ensures the long-term security of bilingual courts in Carinthia, consolidating court locations while maintaining existing court sessions.

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