Statement of Intensification of Romaphobia in Europe

This article comes to us from the Roma Virtual Network.

 

STATEMENT OF MOSCOW BUREAU FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABOUT INTENSIFICATION OF GYPSY-PHOBIA IN EUROPE (Russia)

17/10/2011- Under conditions of general crisis of multiculturalism in the countries of Western Europe, growth of anti-migrant moods is more and more increasing, and popularity of right-wing parties that use restriction of migration and sometimes proscription of migrants as their slogan, is growing. Historically hostile attitude among prevailing ethnic population of countries of Central and Eastern Europe was mostly caused, except Jews, by Gypsies. To a great extent unsuccessful policy of acculturation of migrants and immigrants in European countries reflected entirely upon fate of Gypsies too. But no serious tasks for acculturation and integration of Gypsies into the society were set. As a result, Gypsies remained one of mostly discriminated and unprotected social groups of population in Europe. At the same time, forming the biggest minority in Europe (about 12 mln. people), Gypsies are up to 10% of population in some countries.

As it was noted in report of special group of European Council for 2010, none of other ethnic groups suffer so much from prejudices and discrimination like Gypsies. There is no European country that would be able to boast of adequate attitude towards Gypsies; it is towards Gypsies that breach of so-called “European values” is manifested most brightly. Racism (“anti-Gypsism”) is completely developed towards Gypsies, they are considered to be “genetically inclined to crimes”. They often become victims of aggressive attacks and insults. According to Annual report of Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) of European Community for 2010, 18% of interrogated Gypsies noted that they were objects of racial incidents at least once a year. 73% of Gypsies considering themselves victims of attacks and threats connect them with immigrant and ethnic aspect. 54% of Gypsies spoke about insults motivated by race or religion towards them. 60% of Gypsies called representatives of ethnic majority their offenders. Special concern of experts was caused by the fact that 6% of Gypsies named Policemen and other officials as their offenders – i.e. those who should defend the law in multiethnic European countries.

Gypsies are subject to serious discrimination in public-social sphere. Level of unemployment among Gypsies reaches 80-90%. 38% of Gypsies pointed to discrimination during employment during recent 12 months, and 10% of Gypsies stated that they felt discrimination in the sphere of education once at least during recent years. In some countries, in particular in Spain, marriages committed basing upon Gypsy traditions are not recognized, and Gypsies are deprived of subsequent social and pensionary payments. They are sharply restricted in social-political life of their countries and practically do not participate in election. As a result, Gypsies keep aloof from others even more, and are even more involved into criminal activity and have less and less chances for their integration. Number of interethnic conflicts with participation of Gypsies grows. Thus, during recent two years the most serious skirmishes with participation of Gypsies were marked both in separate regions and on state level.

In July-August 2010 mass deportation of Gypsies from France was executed. The president Nicolas Sarkozy ordered to close 300 Gypsy stands and other camps of illegal migrants (i.e. those who had no citizenship of one of European Community countries and stayed in France illegally) around the whole territory of the country and to deport them. Such order was given after serious skirmishes between Gypsies and Police took place in one of the cities in Loire valley that started after the Policeman shot a young Gypsy. Totally 979 Gypsies were deported. 828 of them left voluntarily after getting 300 Euro each from Paris and 100 Euro per child.

On August 29 the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination condemned expulsion of Gypsies from France and called upon Paris for stopping deportation. The committee consisting of 18 experts on human rights noted in its appeal published in Geneva that the Gypsies should be integrated but not deported. According to the committee members, some French politicians recently permitted themselves racist statements, and this causes special concern. European parliament on its plenary meeting on September 9 stated its profound concern about measures of French authorities and other participating countries of European Community towards Gypsies. It was noted in the resolution adopted in situation of sharp discussion by 337 votes against 245 with 51 abstentions that collective expulsions break European laws as they are based upon race discrimination.

Biggest disturbances took place in Bulgaria during recent days. Murder of 19-year-old Bulgarian became a cause for disturbances: this murder quickly got ethnic interpretation and provoked mass disorders among people set against Gypsy minority. Series of Gypsy slaughters took place in 14 biggest Bulgarian cities. Totally more than two thousand people armed with cold weapon and truncheons went out to the streets. It was just due to efforts of Police that mass death of people was prevented. And again the disturbances that took place are explained by a number of factors: both by impunity of criminality among Gypsy population (probably with corruption constituent on the part of authorities) and use of anti-Gypsy rhetoric on the part of political figures. According to observers, mass disturbances were most likely coordinated: in particular, information about actions of demonstrators was disseminated in social networks. Besides, untrue rumors were actively disseminated on the Internet about skirmishes of Bulgarians with Gypsies, with the purpose of provoking the population to slaughters of Gypsy quarters. Numerous facts of breaches of rights of Gypsies, of interethnic conflicts with participation of Gypsies are marked in Romania, Czechia, Hungary, and Georgia.

Director of Moscow bureau for human rights Alexander Brod: “The problem of Gypsies also remains completely unsolved in Russian Federation. Information about interethnic conflicts with participation of Gypsies, about murders of Gypsies including little children is presented very often in criminal reports. Gypsy houses are often set on fire. Operation of law-enforcers “Gypsy band” is of discriminatory character. In February 2009 Kaliningrad Gypsy woman got a rejection for purchase of a kibitka at the expense of “maternal capital”. In June 2010 Gypsy band of 49 persons was sent from Kuzbass to Uzbekistan where the Gypsies resided up to the present. In June 47 Gypsies were expelled from Saratov region. Discrimination of Gypsies in the sphere of education takes place: there are schools where classes exist separately for Russians and separately for Gypsies: even “Russian” and “Gypsy” New Year parties are held. Anti-Gypsy statements that incite ethnic hostility towards this ethnic group are periodically heard on the radio and on TV. As a result, Gypsy-phobia in the country grows among other xenophobias. Combat against Gypsy-phobia should undoubtedly be executed in the framework of general combat against manifestations of aggressive nationalism and within acculturation of ethnic minorities. But special social-historical fate of Gypsies, specificity of their mentality nevertheless require particular attention and development of specific measures for their integration”.

Such measures were provided in resolution of special group of European Council in 2010 and include several items:
à) Operative response to all kinds of breaches of human rights concerning Gypsies including deportations of Gypsies to the countries where they may be exposed to tortures and inhumane treatment;
b) rejection of segregation of Gypsies in the schools;
c) provision of access of Gypsies to the labor market, possibility to get loans, and to secure employment of Gypsies to administrative bodies;
d) provision of social adaptation of Gypsies;
e) conducting of annual monitoring on adaptation of Gypsies;
f) to strengthen Gypsy civil society, help the Gypsies to become active citizens, support their franchise, introduce corresponding educational programs.

These desires should be supplemented with demand of steady observance of the law: both criminal activity among Gypsies and illegal measures, discrimination towards Gypsies should be toughly suppressed.