Tag Archives: Racism

News Eastern Europe Romania

Racist Sport

Published by:

Racist Sport

The controversy surrounding the chants from Romanian FCSB footbal club supporters during the derby against Rapid continues, with calls for FCSB to lose the match due to alleged discriminatory behavior. Gigi Mustață, leader of the Peluza Nord, defended the chants as part of a long-standing tradition in Romanian football, denying any racist intent and emphasizing personal relationships with Roma community members.

Mustață criticized perceived double standards in how rival fan behavior is treated, arguing that offensive chants are common across all teams and should be addressed uniformly.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece and Roma

Published by:

Greece and Roma

Aphrodite Latinopoulou, president of the “Voice of Reason” party (extreme-right), criticized Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for failing to change the country despite having two opportunities, accusing him of corruption.

She condemned the government’s social policies, particularly regarding immigration and social benefits, claiming that integration cannot be achieved through financial aid and that certain groups, including immigrants and Roma, should not receive benefits.

Latinopoulou used derogatory language, insisting on the term “Gypsies” instead of “Roma,” and linked social benefits to crime, calling for stricter measures against those exhibiting criminal behaviour.

Bosnia News Eastern Europe

Hate Crimes

Published by:

Hate Crimes

Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina are more frequently exposed to potential hate crimes compared to individuals of other nationalities, yet they report these incidents less often.

The study indicates that 24% of Roma respondents experienced at least one potential hate crime in the past year, compared to 18% of non-Roma respondents.

Recommendations include creating an action plan to address hate crimes against Roma, involving education and training for authorities and the public.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Šutar Act

Published by:

Šutar Act

Nearly a year after the death of a pub owner, Aleš Šutar, and the subsequent implementation of the Šutar Act what is the situation like in Roma settlements in Slovenia? Some mayors believe that the most significant impact has been on social welfare payments, which are now cut for non respect of laws and regulations.

What is scary are the proposed solutions from the mayors. These include fencing settlements, special schools, and employment centers resembling prisons, as suggested by the mayor of Ribnica.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

How (not) to Count Children

Published by:

How (not) to Count Children

The Czech government has issued a set of guidelines on how to identify Roma children in schools. These are: Appearance, Ancestry, Typical surnames, speaking Romanes, having a parent who is supported by a state program aimed at Roma, Cultural practises, and Place of residence.

You wonder …

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Mixed Couples

Published by:

Mixed Couples

The article discusses the challenges faced by mixed couples, particularly between Romani and Czech individuals, when their families reject their relationships due to cultural differences.

It highlights the emotional turmoil of choosing between love and family, and the impact of such decisions on children born from these unions.

The author shares personal experiences of navigating these cultural divides and emphasizes the importance of love and acceptance within families, regardless of ethnic backgrounds.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Romania: Attack

Published by:

Romania: Attack

A stabbing incident occurred at Școala Gimnazială Nr. 6 in Bistrița, Romania, where a student targeted a Roma classmate, leading to injuries of a teacher and another student.

The attacker, a seventh-grade student who recently returned from Spain, allegedly sought out a specific student of Roma ethnicity, raising suspicions of a racially motivated attack. He apparently planned the action for 8 months, discussing it on TikTok.

The school lacked strict access control despite having surveillance cameras, prompting authorities to consider implementing stricter security measures following the incident.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Commemoration

Published by:

Commemoration

The anniversary of the murder of 14-year-old Roma boy Dušan Jovanović, killed 29 years ago in Belgrade, was marked by a march highlighting racism and discrimination against Roma people.

Duška Jovanović, Dušan’s sister, emphasized the impact of racism, stating it has killed her brother and affected her entire family, and called for continued remembrance and activism against hate.

The gathering served as a memorial and a call to action to combat racism and promote awareness of the ongoing struggles faced by the Roma community.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Gamers and Racism

Published by:

Gamers and Racism

The Czech Facebook group “Nerds for Themselves” (Nerdi sobě) has become a platform for discussing retro games but has also revealed pervasive antigypsyism and racism in the Czech Republic.

A post featuring a 1990s video game called “Matiční Street” promotes violence against Roma, where players score points by killing Roma characters depicted in a racist manner.

Despite the group’s large membership, there has been no condemnation of the racist content, highlighting a troubling acceptance of racism within Czech society.

Germany News Western Europe

Z-Soup

Published by:

Z-Soup

A vending machine at the Städtisches Klinikum Dresden is causing controversy for offering a soup labeled “Zigeunersuppe,” which is considered discriminatory by many Sinti and Roma.

The term “Zigeuner” is historically linked to exclusion and persecution, and its use in food labeling is increasingly criticized.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Racism?

Published by:

Racism?

Jozef Božik, the chairman of the Association of Towns and Villages of Slovakia (ZMOS), is facing backlash after being accused of insulting the Roma community by referring to them as “Indians.”

The mayor of Zámutov, who initiated the controversy, is demanding Božik’s resignation, which he firmly rejects.

Božik claims that the accusation is taken out of context and has led to severe personal attacks against him and his family.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Bűnvadászok

Published by:

Bűnvadászok

The activities of the ‘Bűnvadászok’ (Crime Hunters) instill fear in the Roma community and shift public sentiment against them, as warned by the deputy commissioner for national minorities. Complaints have been filed regarding alleged unlawful evictions and the content shared by the ‘Bűnvadászok’ on their YouTube channel, with the police dismissing a related report.

The article highlights broader issues, including the treatment of Roma individuals in healthcare and education, emphasizing a lack of adequate representation and understanding of their social situation in educational materials.

Germany News Western Europe

Germany, Sinti and Roma

Published by:

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.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Outing Oneself

Published by:

Outing Oneself

Mihai Neacșu, director of the National Center for Roma Culture, highlighted that only one-third of Roma in Romania openly identify with their ethnicity due to stigma and fear.

He emphasized the importance of promoting historical truth about the Holocaust and shared historical documents showing Roma soldiers pleading for their families not to be deported during the war.

Neacșu recounted a poignant story of a Roma man who wished to be buried standing, symbolizing the struggle for dignity and identity among the Roma community in Romania.

Europe

Council of Europe on Racism

Published by:

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.

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

Published by:

French Chronicle …

Four associations have filed a complaint against an “illegal ethnic file” maintained by the gendarmerie regarding Roma and travelers. The existence of such files has always been denied by the French government.

Other news are moreof the usual. Gendarmes  arrested Roma stealing car loading cables; a contestation ongoing for the elections in a commune near Nantes, and a French politicia stating that we’d have all the means to integrate these Roma (after all they have been there for more than 20 years, and there are not more than 30’000 of them).

Greece News Western Europe

Brawl

Published by:

Brawl

MEP Afroditi Latinopoulou discussed a controversial incident at a kindergarten in Ano Liosia, where a principal was filmed yelling at children, leading to a parent’s attack on her.

Latinopoulou claimed the issue is longstanding and highlighted the challenges teachers face, while also criticizing the behavior of the Roma community, using derogatory terms.

The principal has filed charges against the child’s parents, and the father admitted to hitting the principal, acknowledging it was a mistake.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

33 Steps

Published by:

33 Steps

The psychological drama “33 Steps” is inspired by the true story of Milan Daniel, a Rom who, following a brutal attack, lives in a state of constant fear and danger, haunted by nightmares and visions. This trauma also affects his family, particularly his son, Mili. Although the film is based on real events, the original directorial approach of the debutant husband-and-wife team, the Domčeks, masterfully blurs the line between documentary and fiction.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Cluj and Roma

Published by:

Cluj and Roma

Local NGOs in Cluj, particularly TAC.social, criticize a protest against the relocation of Roma families from Pata Rât, emphasizing the need for discussions based on the realities of the community.

The protest, organized by the Identitarian Community Association of Romania, attracted only about 12 participants and was marked by inflammatory rhetoric against the Roma community.

TAC.social calls for greater awareness and understanding of the living conditions in Pata Rât, inviting people to engage directly with the community rather than relying on prejudiced narratives.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Barber Story

Published by:

Barber Story

Mihácsi Patrik, a Roma barber shop owner in Győr, refuses to be seen as a victim and is proud of his heritage, actively helping disadvantaged children through his business.

His barbershop was vandalized with a racist slur, prompting local support from the Jojó Box Club, which offered solidarity and a voucher to the shop.

Patrik emphasizes the importance of challenging stereotypes about Roma people and believes in the value of character over ethnicity, showcasing positive examples through his work and community involvement.

rroma.org
en_GBEN
de_DEDE fr_FRFR en_GBEN