After a forced six-month hiatus, MOPS (Local Civic and Support Services) patrols are returning to the streets of Fiľakovo, Slovakia. The local government’s application for a grant from the Office of the Government of the Slovak Republic has been successful.
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.
Several families living in makeshift homes in Colonia de sub Deal, Florești, Romania, were left homeless due to demolitions initiated by the local government, which claims to enforce court rulings against illegal constructions.
Activists argue that the affected families were not provided with alternative housing solutions and call for social measures to support them, referencing the need for compliance with legislation regarding informal settlements.
The local administration has announced plans to acquire around 350 homes for vulnerable families over the next decade, aiming for integration into existing communities rather than creating segregated areas.
A meeting was held at the Government Palace in Naples to address the lack of water and electricity in the Rom camp in Giugliano in Campania, attended by various local authorities and organizations.
The meeting discussed ongoing issues with electricity connections and water supply, with temporary solutions like water trucks being used while improvements to the water network are underway.
Continuous monitoring and coordination among local authorities are planned to ensure the restoration of essential services in the camp.
An article about a Roma setllement in the Hungarian Matra mountains. There, according to Local representative Nikolett Szomora, around 80% of the residents are struggling with substance abuse.
The article is definitively preo-Jobbik, an extreme right party in Hungary (but by far not the one further on the right).
The situation is deplorable, and in those settlements, most people are unemployed. The last 30 years saw a steady decline in living conditions.
Authorities in Plovdiv are continuing their crackdown on illegal construction in the Stolipinovo Roma neighborhood, which has been linked to drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl.
The police have begun by demolishing a large illegal fence and are increasing drug checks in the area, which has a notorious reputation for drug distribution.
Senior Commissioner Vasil Kostadinov emphasized the need for law enforcement and construction regulations to combat crime effectively in Stolipinovo, where three individuals have been arrested for fentanyl distribution.
Police conducted an operation in the Roma neighborhood of “Stolipinovo” to demolish an illegally constructed massive fence. The head of the Ministry of Interior in Plovdiv was present at the scene.
Authorities demolished an illegally constructed building in the Roma settlement of Brezje–Žabjak, following a legal order from the construction inspectorate.
The police provided protection during the demolition, as the building was erected without proper permits on municipal land.
The municipality of Novo mesto has been actively working towards the legal regulation and gradual legalization of Roma settlements for several years.
A total of €335,845,065 was utilized last year to implement the action plan for the Strategy for Roma Equality, Inclusion, and Participation up to 2030. This is according to the monitoring report on the implementation of the action plans for the Strategy for Roma Equality, Inclusion, and Participation up to 2030 for the year 2025. The government is scheduled to review the document on Wednesday, October 7.
The Government Office of the Slovak Republic, which is submitting the report, specifies in the document that out of 159 activities designated for 2025, ten were successfully completed, 125 were in the implementation phase, 22 were in preparation, and two were assessed as unfulfilled. These tasks related to the field of education—specifically, supporting the acquisition of the Slovak language by pupils from Roma communities via their mother tongue through the creation of innovative teaching materials, and implementing activities to help pupils (including those from marginalized Roma communities) attain secondary vocational education.
Stolipinovo, the Roma Mahla in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, is often viewed negatively. Local activist Georgi Kochev aims to change perceptions through guided tours that showcase the area’s culture and traditions.
The tours, inspired by American content creator Drew Binsky’s visit, highlight the unique experiences and vibrant life of the Roma community, challenging stereotypes.
Kochev envisions a future for Stolipinovo with improved living conditions and green spaces, emphasizing the importance of community support and positive change.
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.
The article discusses the plight of 25 Roma families in Riganokampos whose makeshift homes collapsed due to recent heavy rains, prompting local organizations to assess the damage and call for assistance.
The local municipality’s response has been criticized as inadequate, with calls for more permanent solutions, such as providing small prefabricated containers for the families.
The article also touches on political discourse, highlighting a miscommunication regarding unemployment benefits and criticizing the hypocrisy in media coverage of a basketball federation president’s selective press conference.
On September 15, mayors from the municipalities of Thermi and Thermaikos met with Michael O’Flaherty, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, to discuss the living conditions of Roma communities in the area.
The mayors expressed concerns about the dire conditions in the Roma settlement in Tsairia, including lack of electricity and water, and highlighted issues of crime and inadequate policing.
O’Flaherty emphasized the importance of social services in supporting the Roma and called for collaboration with local authorities to improve their living conditions and ensure children’s education.
O’Flaherty highlighted the ongoing human rights violations faced by Roma, including lack of access to healthcare and educational segregation, and called for Europe to wake up to these issues.
The exhibition, showcasing the lives and rights of Roma and Travellers, will be held in Thessaloniki until September 18, 2026, featuring works by photographers George Moutafis and Candice Imbert.
The Pan-Cretan Association of Greek Roma Citizens is seeking legal action following a leptospirosis incident involving an 11-year-old girl living in a Roma settlement in Heraklion.
The association’s president described the living conditions in the settlement as a serious public health issue, urging local authorities to take immediate action to improve sanitation and protect residents.
The municipality claims that cleaning crews work almost daily in the area, but face challenges due to improper waste disposal by residents, complicating sanitation efforts.
Bulgarian Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva visited Kyustendil to discuss improvements in living conditions, infrastructure, education, and access to services in the “East” neighborhood, highlighting local government and community engagement.
The visit included meetings with local officials and community members, focusing on the importance of housing status and the role of Roma mediators in facilitating access to education and services.
Delcheva emphasized the need for sustainable urban planning initiated in 2017, which aims to improve living conditions for over 1,000 households and ensure better access to essential services.
The European Court of Human Rights condemned Bulgaria for demolishing the homes of 56 Roma individuals in 2023, ruling it violated their right to a home and personal life.
The court highlighted systemic issues in Bulgarian law that allow for the removal of homes without proper legal checks, emphasizing the need for legislative reform.
The actions of local authorities were criticized as collective punishment and a deliberate attempt to deny individuals their legal rights, particularly affecting marginalized communities.
Sinti community in Bremerhaven has been living in a caravan site for 70 years, celebrating their history and unity with a special event.
The site, established after WWII, has evolved from a place with many caravans to a community of around 60 people living in modern mobile homes, emphasizing family and togetherness.
Local officials acknowledge the importance of supporting the Sinti community, especially in the face of rising populism and discrimination.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled against Bulgaria for demolishing a Roma settlement on the outskirts of Sofia in August 2023, violating the right to private and family life of the residents.
56 individuals affected by the demolition filed a complaint, and the court found Bulgaria in violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, but not in violation of Articles 3 and 14 regarding torture and discrimination.
The ECHR awarded each complainant €10,000 in damages, totaling €560,000, along with €18,000 for legal costs to be paid by Bulgaria.
A police operation in the Roma settlements of Aspropyrgos led to the arrest of 16 individuals for electricity theft, with 2,380 meters of illegally used cables removed by the DEDDHE (Public Power Corporation).
The arrested individuals face charges for electricity theft and violations of the Road Traffic Code, including driving without a license and not wearing seatbelts.
The operation involved multiple police units and was coordinated by the Western Attica Police Directorate, with support from traffic police and a drone.
The mayor of Stara Zagora, Zhivko Todorov, has demolished the last 20 illegal houses in the Roma neighborhood of Lozenets, claiming they cannot be legalized as they are built on state forest land.
The local government has faced criticism for not addressing illegal constructions in other areas, particularly those owned by influential individuals, highlighting a perceived bias in enforcement.
The article discusses the ongoing marginalization of the Roma community, the lack of effective integration policies, and the need for a more humane approach to their housing issues.
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