Tag Archives: Settlement

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Fire and Relocation

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Fire and Relocation

On the night of Wednesday to Thursday, there was a fire in the settlement of Lubina in the Nad jazerom district of Košice, Slovakia. This is the settlement out of which some families moved to Hungary.

The Lubina settlement has been in the news in both Slovak and Hungarian media in recent weeks. The whole case began to develop in mid-July, when the demolition of the illegal Lubina settlement began in the city district, where about 200 Roma live without water and electricity.

According to the article, the fire could have been caused by arson.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Music

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Music

A music album titled “Zumin” was created in the Roma settlement of Habeš near Sečovce, Slovakia, featuring local musicians and children during extreme heat in August 2026.

The album includes a variety of sounds and songs reflecting themes of poverty and migration, showcasing the community’s cultural heritage.

It was produced as part of the Art Aktivista residency, which has been engaging with the community since 2014, and is available for free streaming on Bandcamp.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria: Protest

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Bulgaria: Protest

Todor Davidov, known as Gringo, led a protest in the Roma neighborhood of Aytos, demanding better living conditions and infrastructure.

Protesters are advocating for improved roads and public transport access, citing the nearest bus stop is 500 meters away.

The protest has sparked public debate regarding the payment of local taxes by the families in the area and the legality of the houses in the neighborhood. In many of the Roma neighbourhoods, Roma are accused of having built illegally, even when their houses stood for a very long time. This is used to close and dismantle some of these neighbourhoods.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Romanian Relocation

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Romanian Relocation

Emil Boc, the mayor of Cluj, emphasized that the integration of families relocated from the Pata Rât area is progressing well, with over 100 families already housed in rented accommodations, and no issues reported regarding unpaid bills.

The city is committed to social housing projects and support programs, including financial assistance for rent, aimed at vulnerable populations, particularly those from the Pata Rât area.

Boc rejected claims of integration challenges, asserting that the process is ongoing and supported by various funding sources, and highlighted the importance of work and education for successful integration.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation

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Relocation

The story of the the Roma families evicted from a settelment in Košice, Slovakia, who relocated to Szalonna, Hungary seems to have taken another turn.

Two Roma families, who apparently do not speak Hungarian and live in deep poverty, have reportedly left Szalonna for Košice, but it is unclear if their departure is permanent or temporary.

Local residents expressed fears of mass resettlement of Roma families from Slovakia, prompting the Szalonna municipality to quickly pass a regulation to prevent further relocations.

The situation has drawn political attention, with a mayoral candidate in Košice using the issue to gain popularity, while the families face challenges due to language barriers and lack of social services in their new location.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation

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Relocation

Authorities in Hungary are investigating the relocation of Roma families from the illegal settlement in Košice, Slovakia, to Hungary, focusing on the organization and funding of the process.

The relocation, which began in July, has raised concerns about the rights of the residents, including access to healthcare and education, as the government was informed only shortly before the move.

The mayor of the district claims the move was voluntary and aimed at helping families improve their living conditions, while a police investigation has been initiated following a complaint regarding the legality of the relocation.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation

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Relocation

Several more articles on the relocation of Slovak Roma to Hungary.

The Hungarian Ministry of Interior is investigating the relocation of Roma families from the Lubina settlement in Košice to Szalonna, focusing on the legality and organization of the real estate transactions involved.

Concerns from Szalonna residents regarding safety are being taken seriously, and the ministry plans to collaborate with Slovak authorities to clarify the situation.

The mayoral candidate for Košice, Miroslav Sabol, has filed a criminal complaint regarding the eviction of the illegal Lubina settlement, while the local mayor insists the process was not politically motivated and was organized through the non-profit sector.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia: Demolition

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Slovenia: Demolition

Amnesty International Slovenia and the Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy accuse the Novo Mesto municipality of failing to provide housing after the demolition of a woman’s home in a Roma settlement, citing violations of human rights and legal procedures. The municipality is enforcing demolition orders on illegal constructions in a Roma settlement, leading to protests from the Roma community.

It defends its actions, stating it was obligated to enforce a legal decision regarding the illegal structure and denies any wrongdoing regarding the individual’s rights.

A representative of the Roma community expresses frustration over the lack of support from the municipality, highlighting ongoing issues with access to basic utilities and the need for better living conditions. Roma leaders criticize the head of the Roma Association for inaction and demand legal protection and alternative housing for affected residents.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Filipovtsi

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Filipovtsi

The Roma neighbourhood of Filipovtsi in Sofia, Bulgaria, saw the destruction of several buldings (deemed illegal) and resulted in a plethora of articles in the Bulgarian press.

25 “illegal” agricultural structures were demolished by the municipality, leading to the removal of over 40 horses, which caused tension between residents and journalists.

Apparently some journalists were attacked and injured.

Local authorities emphasized that the operation targeted only illegal structures on private land and would not affect residential buildings.

Roma residents expressed concern over the removal of the horses, which they rely on for income, and dissatisfaction with the cleanup of debris left after the demolition.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Illegal Settlement

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Illegal Settlement

Residents of the Poduene district in Sofia are complaining about an illegal Roma settlement and severe living conditions near the Hadji Dimitar metro station, with local authorities ignoring the issue.

The area has been plagued by waste, fires, and aggressive stray dogs, despite numerous complaints to the district administration led by Mayor Kristian Hristov.

Citizens have filed a lawsuit against the local government for their inaction regarding the deteriorating conditions in the public property designated for green space and community use.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

More on Relocation

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More on Relocation

Families living in deep poverty and not speaking Hungarian have been relocated from a Roma settlement in Košice, Slovakia, to Szalonna, Hungary, without informing local residents.

The mayor of Encs condemned the relocation, suggesting it is a form of deportation and calling for local authorities to prevent such actions.

Dancs Mihály, president of the National Roma Self-Government in Hungary, expressed concerns about the well-being of the relocated families and the potential for conflict within the local community.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

“Illegal”

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“Illegal”

A new operation to remove so-called “illegal constructions” in the Roma neighborhood “Lozenets” in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, has been scheduled, with over 400 illegal structures already removed.

The regional governor emphasized the need for coordination among institutions and the importance of humane execution of the removal process, despite the legal obligations.

Social services have reported that some residents have expressed a desire for municipal housing, but no applications for temporary accommodation have been submitted yet.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Stara Zagora

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Stara Zagora

The municipality of Stara Zagora has postponed the demolition of around 30 illegal homes in the Lozenets neighborhood, primarily inhabited by Roma, for the second time, following calls from the Bulgarian Ombudsman and Amnesty International for a reassessment of the situation of affected families.

Concerns have been raised about the lack of adequate social assessments and the potential health risks for vulnerable individuals, including children and those with chronic illnesses, if the demolitions proceed without proper alternative housing arrangements.

The local government has been criticized for not conducting thorough evaluations of the impact on residents, particularly regarding the needs of children and people with disabilities, before enforcing the demolitions.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Amnesty and Bulgaria

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Amnesty and Bulgaria

Amnesty International’s regional office in Europe has sent an open letter to the mayor of Stara Zagora, Mr. Zhivko Todorov, requesting urgent information regarding the planned eviction of Roma families in the Lozenets neighborhood on July 22, 2026.

The letter expresses concerns about the lack of proper notice and the potential impact on approximately 64 Roma individuals, including children and elderly people, who may be affected by the eviction.

Amnesty International is seeking clarification on the municipality’s assessment of the situation, alternatives to eviction, and measures for providing adequate housing for those affected.

Greece News Western Europe

Heat and Roma

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Heat and Roma

The Community Center of Sparta conducted an awareness campaign to prevent heatstroke, focusing on local Roma settlements.

The initiative aimed to educate vulnerable populations about the dangers of extreme heat, particularly for children who are often outdoors during peak sun hours.

Social workers provided information and distributed illustrated pamphlets with safety tips to ensure the message was accessible to all age groups.

Nice but what about better housing?

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

No Water

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No Water

Residents of the Roma neighborhood “Kremikovtsi” in Garmen have been without water for over two months after the local government cut off supply due to illegal housing and unpaid bills.

For six years, water was supplied from the drinking water pipeline of Garmen, but issues with unpaid bills and deliberate damages led to the service being terminated.

The situation has escalated to regional authorities and political parties, prompting a swift political response.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Really?

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Really?

A Slovenian Roma community representative in Brezje–Žabjak claims that a 19-year-old pregnant woman was left homeless after her residence was demolished without prior notice from authorities.

The representative is urging the mayor and local government to provide temporary housing for the woman and to clarify the legal basis for the demolition. The community seeks to legalize their homes and is willing to purchase land, emphasizing the need for cooperation and respect from local authorities.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma in Crete

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Roma in Crete

The president of the Pan-Cretan Association of Greek Roma, Athanasios Katsaris, criticizes the Municipality of Heraklion and the State for the poor living conditions in the Roma settlement of Nea Alikarnassos, Crete, which he claims have remained unchanged for years.

He describes the living conditions as “miserable” and “inhumane,” stating that there is a lack of necessary care for the public health of the residents, who are citizens entitled to equal treatment.

Katsaris plans to protest at the next Heraklion Municipal Council meeting, demanding specific commitments and timelines to address the issues affecting the dignity and health of the settlement’s residents.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Mahala Transformation

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Mahala Transformation

The neighborhood of Hadji Dimitar in Kavarna, Bulgaria, has transformed from a place associated with poverty and crime to a model of community development, attracting attention from European experts.

Former mayor Tsanko Tsonev implemented a plan that allowed residents to build legally, leading to improved living conditions and community integration.

The local kindergarten plays a crucial role in early education, helping children learn Bulgarian and fostering a positive environment for development.

https://youtu.be/9vnNBZKO19Y

Greece News Western Europe

Greece, Police, and Roma

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Greece, Police, and Roma

An article in the Bulgarian press about Police raids in Roma settlements in Greece.

In Nea Zoi, Greece, police operations targeting Roma families have become a regular occurrence, with over 76 raids in six months, involving hundreds of officers, under the guise of maintaining public order.

These actions are part of a broader European trend of criminalizing marginalized communities, with Greece serving as a testing ground for policies that blur the lines between internal policing and border control.

The rhetoric surrounding these operations often frames them as necessary for public safety, perpetuating a narrative that associates Roma identity with crime, while lacking significant international oversight or condemnation.

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