Tag Archives: Racism

Romania: Protest

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Romania: Protest

A protest organized by the nationalist group Comunitatea Identitară România is set to take place in Cluj-Napoca against the relocation of Roma families from Pata Rât to social housing, citing concerns over their ability to adapt to new living conditions.

The organization has a history of promoting racist messages and has been monitored for its extremist views, including hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community and antisemitic content.

ADI Zona Metropolitană Cluj, involved in the desegregation efforts, defends the relocation project, highlighting its success in improving living conditions for relocated families and condemning the hate speech surrounding the issue.

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.

Sentenced

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Sentenced

Two emergency responders were sentenced to prison for causing the death of a Roma man, Pista bácsi (Uncle Pista), as an act of revenge for his ethnicity.

The man died after the ambulance driver abruptly braked, causing him to fall and sustain a head injury, although his pre-existing lung condition was determined to be the cause of death.

The court found the actions of the responders to be violent and discriminatory, leading to their convictions and sentences of 1 to 1.5 years in prison.

Coexistence

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Coexistence

Austrian Minister for integration Claudia Bauer presented a new survey on coexistence in Austria, which has been criticized for questionable methods and results.

The online survey was conducted by pollster Peter Hajek and social scientist Rudolf Bretschneider for the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF).

What is controversial? Well, that only 11% of respondents declared having a migration background, whereas in Austria, this is closer to 29%. But the article presents one of the best critique about the question “who can be my neighbour”. The journalist notes that actually what is missing are “racists”, “nazis” and other “extrem-right” …

Well spotted.

AfD and Minorities

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AfD and Minorities

The director of ERIAC, Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka, warns that the recent election victory of the far-right AfD in Saxony-Anhalt signifies the normalization of racism in Germany, particularly against Roma.

She highlights the historical targeting of Roma, referencing the Nazi era, and notes that the AfD’s use of derogatory terms like ‘Zigeuner’ reflects a growing anti-Roma sentiment.

Mirga-Kruszelnicka expresses concern over the AfD’s nativist agenda and the potential for increased discrimination and deportation of Roma, despite many having deep roots in Germany.

Omacom and Omarchy

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Omacom and Omarchy

Danish entrepreneur David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH), creator of Ruby on Rails, founder of Omarchy and CTO of 37Signals, faced backlash for comparing Roma to ‘wolves’ and advocating for their deportation in a blog post, which has sparked controversy around his company 1Password’s support for the Omacom Foundation.

1Password and 37signals are investing $300,000 each into the Omacom Foundation which supports Omarchy, but this decision has led to criticism from clients and employees, with some users threatening to leave the service.

ERIAC and Racism

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ERIAC and Racism

In view of tomorrow’s elections in Saxony-Anhalt, were the AfD has a fair chance of ruling the region, ERIAC has a strong message on fascism and racism…

Racism in School

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Racism in School

On the first day of school at Šmihel Primary School in Novo mesto, Slovenia, a Roma child was bullied by classmates who expressed their refusal to be in the same class as him, highlighting ongoing discrimination against Roma children in schools.

The mother of the bullied child emphasized that such discrimination starts early and worsens over time, with complaints about Roma children beginning in the first grade.

Local Roma councilor Bojan Tudja noted that incidents of discrimination are common and that schools often fail to address these issues, leading to a negative environment for Roma students.

Greek Editorial …

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Greek Editorial …

In a reputed Greek newspaper, I Kathimerini, a Journalist, Takis Theodoropoulos went on rampage. He says tht the integration fo Roma in Greece has failed (there, he is not wrong), but makes statements such as”

“As is known, the Roma, unlike all other Greeks, are subsidized to send their children to school and most of them, when their parents receive the amount, disappear.”

He claims the generosity of the state is due to upcoming elections, and also speaks about criminality:

‘I am not just referring to uncontrolled delinquency, carrying weapons or stealing copper.”

All in all, appart from lamenting the lack of integration, he puts implicitly all the fault on Roma themselves.

A bit easy…

Η αποτυχημένη ένταξη των Ρομά. In: I Kathimerini. 28.07.2026. https://www.kathimerini.gr/opinion/564369919/i-apotychimeni-entaxi-ton-roma/

Germany and AfD

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Germany and AfD

What do you expect from AfD: Simply, racist statements.

The Central Council of German Sinti and Roma has filed a criminal complaint against Tino Chrupalla, the leader of the AfD party, accusing him of incitement and insult during a campaign event in Grimmen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Chrupalla allegedly suggested that weapons found in a forest near Berlin were likely lost by ‘Gypsies’ while mushroom picking, which was met with applause and laughter from the audience.

The council expressed shock that, 81 years after Auschwitz, a far-right party is using cynical rhetoric against Sinti and Roma, which they claim promotes fear and hatred towards minorities.

Chrupalla defended his comments, stating he did not intend to offend the Sinti and Roma communities, despite receiving applause for his remarks linking them to a recent weapons find in Berlin.

Young Roma

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Young Roma

The young Roma generation is determined to overcome discrimination and stigma in areas like education, housing, and employment, seeking self-determined paths.

Antiziganism is on the rise, with historical prejudices deeply rooted in society, leading to increased racism and stigmatization of Roma children.

The article highlights individual stories of young Roma who are breaking barriers and advocating for their rights, showcasing their aspirations and the challenges they face in a society that often marginalizes them.

Hatred

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Hatred

Edita Stejskalová, Czech Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs, addressed the ongoing discrimination and violence against Roma children during a commemorative gathering at the former g*psy camp in Hodonín u Kunštátu, marking 83 years since the transport of Roma to Auschwitz.

She highlighted recent incidents of violence and racism against Roma children, emphasizing that hatred towards them is not just a historical issue but a current reality.

Stejskalová called for awareness and action against both overt and systemic discrimination, particularly in housing and education, stressing that no child should suffer due to their ethnicity.

Racist Attack

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Racist Attack

The podcast SODAcast discusses a recent racist attack on two Roma, highlighting the court’s decision to sentence the attacker to two years in prison, which is not yet final as the defendant has appealed.

The hosts criticize the lack of media coverage on the case, particularly from public broadcasters, and emphasize the importance of such cases for building trust among Roma communities in state institutions.

The podcast also addresses issues of long-term segregation of Roma children in schools, the recent suspension of Roma TV due to low viewership, and the ongoing discussions about the influence of the Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs.

https://youtu.be/UW63huMM30k

Neo-Nazis in Bulgaria

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Neo-Nazis in Bulgaria

The rise of neo-Nazi groups in Bulgaria, particularly the ‘Blood and Honor’ club, and their connections to a broader culture of ethnic nationalism and authoritarianism is discussed in both articles.

It highlights incidents of violence linked to these groups, including attacks on minorities and the normalization of extremist ideologies in society.

The authors argues that the current political climate in Bulgaria fosters an environment where such ideologies can thrive, often under the guise of patriotism and strength.

Really???

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Really???

A Roma settlement in Braća, Serbia, is being evicted. Instead of being offered alternative lodgings, the legal team of Initiative A 11 reports that the Social Work Center has offered some residents of the option to separate their children into alternative care, which harmful and illegal.

This practice contradicts the best interests of the child, who should live with their parents.

Indicted for Racism

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Indicted for Racism

Rui Cristina, the mayor of Albufeira, faces charges of discrimination and incitement to hatred after controversial remarks about the local Roma community’s access to housing.

The Portuguese Public Prosecutor’s Office announced the charges following an investigation that included searches at the Albufeira town hall, initiated by a complaint from a local council member.

Cristina’s statements, made during a municipal assembly meeting, allegedly portrayed the Roma community as tax evaders, potentially inciting hatred and discrimination against them.

Blood and Honour

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Blood and Honour

The organization “Blood and Honour” has been raging in Plovdiv for a long time. They were involved in violent pogroms against Roma as early as 2013 and the activist of “Blood and Honor” Ivaylo Kolev says that the organization has also been leading the torchlight procession against the Neuilly Treaty for at least eight years. They are against the “islamisation” of Europe.

Despite a petition from locals to ban the organization, which has been outlawed in several countries, it continues to operate in Bulgaria.

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.

Greece, Politics, and Roma

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Greece, Politics, and Roma

Aphrodite Latinopoulou, president of ‘Voice of Reason’, faced a verbal attack from a group of Roma while waiting to travel in Tinos, Greece. The confrontation escalated after Latinopoulou defended her statements stating that Roma are criminals, are evading taxes, and using deragotary terms about them, leading to vulgar insults directed at her.

The Coast Guard intervened but did not take further action after asking the parties to cease the altercation; Latinopoulou later reported the incident to the police upon arrival.

Latinopoulou described the incident, stating that she was confronted by men who challenged her comments about criminal behavior among Roma, leading to a heated exchange.

She accused the coast guard of inaction during the incident and linked the altercation to broader governmental issues, expressing disdain for the current political climate in Greece.

Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka

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Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka

Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka, a Polish Romani anthropologist and activist, leads the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, focusing on combating anti-Romani sentiment and promoting Romani identity through art and education.

She highlights the resurgence of anti-Romani attitudes in Europe, linking them to a broader decline in democratic values and the importance of minority rights as indicators of democracy.

The article discusses the need for systemic changes in education and public services to improve the socio-economic conditions of Romani communities, emphasizing the role of trust and collaboration between authorities and these communities.

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