Where are we in the Decade?

The Decade of Roma Inclusion was launched in 2005, founded by a plethora or organizations interested in improving the situation of the Romanies in a dozen countries in Europe. Co-sponsors of the Decade are the World Bank, the Open Society Institute, the United Nations Development Program, the Council of Europe, the Council of Europe Development Bank, the Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the European Roma Information Office, the European Roma and Travellers Forum, the European Roma Rights Centre and the Roma Education Fund. In 2008, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN–HABITAT), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) also became partners in the Decade. The countries who pledged themelseves in the Decade are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Spain.

It is now 2011. We are beyond the halfway point on the calendar, but I am not so sure we have reached the half-way point to any sort of Roma inclusion. I've seen many committees, summits, conferences, and meetings, all closing with a statement of re-commitment or a list of new goals, or even a declaration against anti-Romani policies. I've seen an equal number of human rights violations by the very countries who dedicated themselves to oppose poverty and descrimination.

Albania requested admission into the European Union in April, 2009. According to the EU's own webpage,http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/enlargement_process/accession_process/how_does_a_country_join_the_eu/negotiations_croatia_turkey/index_en.htm

"In order to ensure progress in the negotiations, the candidate countries will also need to make progress on the ground in meeting the requirements for membership, most importantly the Copenhagen criteria:

• the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities"

There are other criteria, but we are only concerned with point one. Has Albania guarenteed the human rights of the Romanies living within her borders? We've heard of forced evictions, homelessness, and poverty. The 2010 report from Human Rights Watch wasn't very encouraging. Can Albania get their act together by 2015?  Doubt it. Will they be voted in to the EU? We will have to wait and see.

Bosnia and Herzegovina have Romani populations that are in constant fear and many are homeless. Anti-Romani sentiment is still quite prevalent. Threats, beatings, and discrimination are constantly on the minds of Romanies.

Bulgaria.  Riots, descrimination, persecution, murder. Need I say more?

Croatia still has problems with violence against Romani, though improvements have been made in the educational system. Back in 2010, there were reports of segregation in the classrooms, but it appears the policy has been/is changing. Human Rights Watch did give Croatia a warning in 2010, so this is also a wait and see situation.

The Czech Republic and Hungary. See Bugaria and add neo-Nazis.

Macedonia and Montenegro still have many social and cultural issues with the Romani that must be dealt with and progress is slow. While Macedonia is currently experiencing national problems, the answer is not to ignore nor allow social groups to blame Romanies for conditions withing communities. When countries are having difficulties, it is more important than ever that they ensure the rights of everyone living within its borders, including minorities.

Romania is dealing with migration and expulsion issues with its Romani population. France began deporting Romanies back to Romania, then went so far as to threaten Romania with blocks in the EU if the Romanian government doesn't keep the Romanies in Romania. Also of interest is Romania's 'name bill' they attempted to pass in 2010 stating that the Romani would not be able to call themselves Romanies while in Romania. Shall we consider the history? Romania became Romania in 1862. We have been calling ourselves Romanies for centuries. Perhaps, in the true spirit of inclusion, we should be charging them royalties for the use of OUR name.

Serbia also has its extreme issues. Romanies there face poverty and discrimination. With tensions high, even Romani children have been targets of abuse and injury. The Romanies who left during the war and have been forced to return are having difficulties getting identity cards which in turn means they have little to no access to safe housing , health care, employment, and welfare services. Human Rights Watch is currently involved here, but progress promises to be very slow.

Slovakia and the Czech Republic tend to have similar policies when it comes to the Romani people. Racist attacks against the Romanies occur frequently yet the government, despite being a member state of the EU, does little to protect Romani citizens. The mandate of the EU, as stated above, dictates that its members have already shown their ability to protect minorities before their admittance to the EU and that minorities remain safe while living in the member state.

Spain needs to work on helping the Romanies with housing and education. Racism against Romanies in Spain is still quite prevalent, and therefore should be addressed as an issue as a long standing member state of the EU.

This list is critical and by no means exhaustive. It is not meant to be an in depth summary. The idea behind this is to simply take a quick glance over the issue of the Decade of Inclusion to see how counties who joined are handling their commitments.

This list is also not meant to be critical of The Decade of Roma Inclusion. The Decade is an important step towards achieving equality and education between the Romani community and the rest of the world.

Governments must deal severely with hate crimes. Violent crimes against minorities, not just Romanies, should be investigated quickly and addressed with all due justice. Racists often believe their actions promote their counties and prevent minorities and foreigners from getting jobs and supporting themselves, leaving jobs to true citizens.

The media must also be exhorted to run equal opportunities for positive Romani interest stories. If the media only covers the hate and violence, they will only promote hate and violence. We are not suggesting censorship, but a call to responsible journalism.

Governments must consider adding an educational program to the school systems, educating youth on the history and current issues of the Romani. When children see only hate in the media, hate at home, it is all they will learn. Educational programming will allow a new generation to advance towards equality.

Romanies must be included in decisions made for the Romani people. Nothing for us Without Us is a slogan used by Disabled Persons Organizations and should teach everyone something very important. No legislation about any group should be created without the input and support of the group it affects. Romanies must become more involved in the politics of the countries in which they live, as is their right stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Without input, Romanies will continue to suffer under anti-Romani policies.

Education is the key.

Racism and Halloween

This article was sent to me by a friend and I wanted to share it. I did NOT write this article. The blog address may be found here. I am republishing it here to spread the word. I think the STARS program mentioned within is an excellent program and I think the author, Melissa, did a fantastic job on the article. Please visit the website and look at their other articles. http://lissawriting.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/racism-think/

 

“We’re a culture, not a costume.” STARS, a student org at Ohio University

Posted by Melissa on October 23, 2011 · Comments Off

These incredible posters were created by the student organization at Ohio University called Students Teaching Against Racism (STARS). Amazingly, these posters became popular over Tumblr on their president’s blog site (here). Their mission is “to educate and facilitate discussion about racism and to promote racial harmony and to create a safe, non-threatening environment to allow participants to feel comfortable to express their feelings.”
Here’s a statement about the posters from the organization:
Any questions about the posters can be sent to OHIOUSTARS@gmail.com. We are so proud of all the support but it’s overwhelming; we have less than 10 members in our group. We ask that you do not personally email any of the exec’s or message their personal Tumblrs. Thank you guys so much for the love! The purpose was to educate and create dialogue and it did. We have a meeting with a lawyer on Monday so we can protect our posters, and the posters will be all over Ohio University’s campus this week! Again, thanks for the support and have a happy Halloween!
— Executive Board of STARS from Ohio University

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Thanks STARS for sending out this important, truthful message.
These posters act as a public service announcement for colored communities. It’s about respect, human dignity, and the acceptance of other cultures (these posters simply ask people to think before they choose their Halloween costume). Although some Halloween costumes aren’t as racist as the blackface minstrel shows back in the day, they harken to similar prejudices. What these costumes have in common is that they make caricatures out of cultures, and that is simply not okay.
Here’s a brief update:
1.) I had to disable comments for this blog post since there are some rude, racist people out there.
And 2.) Interestingly, I received over 3,000 views on this blog post alone.
I had no idea I would get this many views on my blog because I wanted to share an important message created by STARS. I’ve been thinking all night why this message was such a firecracker, and I think I may have an answer. On HIMYM, Barney jokingly said that Halloween was the day where women could bring out their inner sluts. All jokes aside, Halloween is also the day where people can bring out their inner whatever, and their inner racism is an unfortunate thing that comes out on Halloween. I’ve received a lot of racist and hateful comments on my blog post because of these important posters. Some people say the posters are trivial, petty, contrived, and stupid. Another person said, “Fuck you . . . grown up asshole.” I can only assume they meant, “grow up asshole,” but the Freudian slip is a little too funny. These messages are for grown ups who care when people cross the line between costumes that are similar to blackface minstrel shows and costumes that are just for fun. Another person brought up the scenario of a sad Caucasian person holding up a picture of a cowboy. There’s a difference between cowboy costumes and, say, slutty geisha costumes. Cowboys are viewed reverently in American society while geishas are viewed as the Japanese high-class version of prostitutes, which isn’t necessarily correct. When people let these images slide, there’s a perpetual and incorrect prejudice that becomes permeated in American society. It is simply not okay for people to compartmentalize colored communities. This is why I wanted to share these posters on my blog; they have something important to say that strikes a difficult string in people. What amazes me more about these posters is the kind of negative responses I received from people. These posters only send out a message of, “It’s not okay to compartmentalize my culture,” and people respond with hate and anger. I don’t know why so much people responded that way, but I realize now when imperative messages about human dignity and respect get out, people get angry.
Again, I feel the need to reiterate the statement that these posters are not created by me but were designed by the student organization STARS. I did not make these posters; I only wanted to share them. The email of the organization who created these posters is found above.

Roma situation in the Czech Republic

This article was sent to OPES from the European Roma Information Office.


Right-wing demonstrations against Roma in the Czech Republic
By Markus Salzmann
16 September 2011
Agitation by right-wing forces in the Czech Republic against the country’s Roma minority reached a high point last weekend. Violent clashes between neo-Nazis and police took place at a number of demonstrations organized by the neo-fascist “Workers Party for Social Justice” (DSSS). The protests took place in Rumburk and Varnsdorf in north Bohemia, a region plagued by unemployment and poverty.

After the rally in Varnsdorf, DSSS supporters fought street battles with police, who prevented them from beginning a planned march to a Roma settlement. Six people were injured, and police arrested a total of 41 people. About 600 police officers and three helicopters were deployed in the biggest police operation in the Czech Republic since the International Monetary Fund meeting in Prague in 2000.

Prior to the demonstrations, police had seized a number of weapons while searching cars in several villages, and on the German-Czech border. One right-wing extremist was arrested for carrying a gas pistol.

The recent riots had been sparked by an incident in Rumburk three weeks ago, when Czech youth were beaten by Roma after visiting a disco. In early August Roma were also involved in violent scuffles with visitors to a gambling hall.

The region is marked by unemployment, poverty and poor education. The district of Decin, in which Rumburk is located, has the third highest level of unemployment (13.7 percent) in the Czech Republic. Unemployment and poverty among Roma is particularly pronounced, standing at over 50 percent. Recent cuts in social assistance by the right-wing government of Prime Minister Petr Necas have exacerbated the situation.

The DSSS, which called the demonstrations, is the successor organization to the Workers Party, which was notorious for its rallies against Roma settlements and attacks on minorities. The party was banned in 2010. At a recent demonstration, a DSSS representative advocated violence against Roma, saying: “The politicians at City Hall are idle so we have to take the law into our own hands.”

Groups such as the DSSS can conduct their activities brazenly because of the support they receive from the media and established political circles. After the incident two weeks ago, the Czech media mounted an hostile campaign against the Roma, accusing them of racist violence. In such reports little or no mention is made of the systematic social exclusion of Roma, who confront violence and hostility on a regular basis. (Italics mine)

Several mayors of Bohemian towns had actually joined calls for the latest demonstrations.

In May the mayors of Rumburk and Jiřetín pod Jedlovou, sent an open letter to the right-wing prime minister Petr Necas. In their letter they complained about the increasing influx of Roma from other parts of the country and Slovakia. Municipal agencies like social services and schools were overburdened and crime was increasing, they complained.

Following a rally in Rumburk two weeks ago attended by local politicians, about a thousand residents surrounded houses occupied by Roma in order to provoke them.

Together with the country’s conservative parties, the Czech Social Democratic Party has long pursued a policy aimed at the social exclusion of the Roma.

Many Czech communities benefit from EU funding officially aimed at improving the situation for Roma. The weekly Tyden reported recently, however, that these funds are being used for other purposes. According to the magazine, it is being used to improve urban centers and neighborhoods inhabited by high earners.

Most of the 250,000 Roma in the Czech Republic live in slums or are driven into selected, highly impoverished areas.

Real estate companies offer the Roma severance payments or relief on debts if they leave lucrative downtown locations and move to small communities. In these communities the Roma are expected to move into empty houses, where landlords demand exorbitant rents. Czech municipalities encourage this operation in order to receive official EU funding.

Šimáek Martin, director of the State Agency for Social Integration, called this behavior “exploitation.” The behavior of the real estate managers was leading to social unrest and caused frictions, Šimáek said in Czech radio.

The relationship between growing right-wing violence and the politics of the Necas government is obvious. Necas’ Civic Democratic Party (ODS) is trying to suppress any opposition to the austerity program which the government is currently enacting in response to the economic crisis. In this process it is relying on far-right forces.

The ODS has appointed Ladislav Batrora, an avowed anti-Semite and nationalist, to the post of personnel director of the Ministry of Education. Batora is in close contact with President Vaclav Klaus, who broadly shares his reactionary views.

World Socialist Web Site
wsws.org
Published by the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI)

Human Rights for the Romani

I spent some time with a Native American friend of mine this summer and learned a great deal about her heritage and theories on life and time. She taught me something that resounded with me, that many Native Americans feel that events in time will always repeat, that life is much like the spiral of a sea shell. As she explained this idea, I began to think about events in history within the past 100 years I'm beginning to think that they have it right.

Take recent news. Over the summer, two ministers who were conducting services were beaten by neo-Nazis who were marching through streets where they knew outdoor worship services occurred. No arrests were made. Families have been burned out of their homes, only to be gunned down in the street when they tried to escape. No charges were filed. Children are being threatened when they've tried to go to school. No police investigation.

Italy stopped its program of fingerprinting and photographing, mostly because the EU decided it should just maybe DO something. France is still deporting, but no one notices now because President Sarkozy has stopped bragging about his policy. Germany is also working on deportations. England is evicting Dale Farm, with one local politician claiming that the Human Rights Act should be repealed so that terrorists and Gypsies couldn't use it to protect themselves.

Does it sound like the 1930s to you? It does to me and, frankly, it frightens me. It should frighten everyone. It should outrage everyone. But, more troubling, it doesn't. Why not?

"If bad things are happening to the Gypsies, then they must have done something to deserve it," is what I've heard most often. They usually have no idea what "they" could have done that "they" should be deprived of their basic human rights, but it must have been something.

Shows like My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding don't help. Perhaps if the producer, who claims to have done her homework (yet doesn't think that Professor Ian Hancock is a "real Gypsy") would title the show appropriately to "My Big Fat Traveller Wedding as Staged by an Outsider", maybe people would understand that what they are viewing is, for the most part, fiction and the rest is staged.

MBFGW is not the first. Criminal Minds, Roadkill, and now, NCIS:LA have really confused the public as to the real identity of a Romani. At least NCIS:LA is using the word Romani as opposed to Gypsy, but that, in my opinion, only adds to the problem. I am Romani. I do not have a red wagon wheel tattoo on my wrist to identify me. I think the SS did that, though.

I ask you to consider what you are watching and then consider what you are not being shown. Challenge what you see and do more research. Ask and challenge. Consider the idea that people feel that it is right and justified to deny a group of people their basic human rights. If you don't like what you discover. Act.

"All that is required for evil to prevail is that good men do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.

Is it ok to kill the Gypsies?

According to a comment posted in response to an article in a British newspaper, there is no crime happening in this photograph.

An article appeared in a British newspaper stating that the Travellers were invading Basingstoke. One of the responses to the article was from a local who stated that perhaps they should replace the "vile sport of foxhunting" and legalize chasing down the Gypsies and "killing them will all means possible."

To begin with, I find this statement to be a very interesting reflection upon this person's character. It is vile to take the life of an animal for sport. I agree. But apparently it is perfectly acceptable to murder a human being....for sport. People who do such things are usually labeled psychopaths and locked up.

But the local authorities didn't mind the statement. When the comment was reported as a hate crime, they told the complainant that the crime did not warrant the man hours it would take to track down the individual. The paper also said that restraining posters would not be cost effective, though they did remove the comment.

The individual did repost, apparently another comment just as vile as the first, and then, at last, the police did take action and opened an investigation. We shall see what happens.

What I can't help but wonder is why is it alright to make such statements when it would be seen as vile to state that Jews or African Americans should be hunted down and "killed with every means possible." Such statements are indeed seen as racist and offensive, yet it was only the Romani who were upset by the statement posted in the paper.

That says a lot.