Discrimination

Main History/Background Discrimination Legal Action and Violence Against Roma Social Conditions Conclusion Works Cited Links A Roma girl is portrayed here wearing traditional gypsy clothes.		Another way the Roma people’s right have been violated would be suppression of their nomadic culture by passing laws to prohibit traveling Gypsies. Thomas Acton, who is Britain’s first professor of Romani studies at Greenwich University, London, estimates “that there are some 5,000 gypsy families that want to continue their traditional nomadic lifestyle, but have nowhere legal to park their caravans.” (“Persecuted”) The Rom possess little rights to claim areas for their caravans, even if they own land. In 1968 the Caravan Sites Act was passed, stating it was illegal for travelers to stop at designated areas, such as in Camden, London. (Coverley) Rampant racism in various European local governments have resulted in laws, such as the 1994 Criminal Justice Act, being passed. The focus of this act was to stop the Roma from setting up illegal camping sites. Stereotypes of the Rom are many and brutally negative. Throughout many countries in Europe the Rom have been cast as scapegoats and pariahs. In a recent survey: conducted by the Sofia-based Bulgarian Helsinki Committee of 1,000 ethnic Bulgarian adults polled, 91 percent believe that Gypsies are predisposed to criminal behavior and 83 percent believe that Gypsies are ‘lazy and irresponsible.’ In the same poll 59 percent of respondents said they would not live in the same neighborhood as Gypsies. Nearly 94 percent said they would not marry a Gypsy and 69 percent said they would not maintain a friendship with a Gypsy. (Giles) Silverman comments that a tremendously common believed stereotype is that gypsies have a “genetic propensity for crime”. (1) This statement is backed upped by the media frequently revealing the race of Roma suspects. Even government officials hold Roma prejudices. Jozsef Pacai, the mayor of the Slovak village of Medzev, is no exception to the rule and was quoted in 1993 as saying, “I’m no racist, but some Gypsies you just have to shoot.” (qtd. in Silverman) In several countries- including Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and the Czech and Slovak Republics, there have been reported mob attacks against the Rom and the authorities purposely did not step in. Racism is clearly apparent in “police brutality and court prejudices.” (Silverman) The Rom stereotypes are even extended to places such as stores. Silverman explained that Roma face discrimination and access to public and private transportation, stores, restaurants, theaters, sports facilities, and discos. Often signs are posted saying “No Gypsies allowed.” In all too many instances, Roma are barred from even going into a store, and when they do enter the store they are often denied service. Sengupta described that in the Czech and Slovak Republics, a number of bars and restaurants openly refuse to serve Roms. There are no repercussions inflicted upon the managers and store owners for this severe, detrimental, and inexcusable violation of human rights. This webpage was created by F.W. and M.L .on 3/28/99 for History and Thought of Western Man, Rich East High School, Park Forest, Illinois. Return to Index

Main
History/Background
Discrimination
Legal Action and Violence Against Roma
Social Conditions
Conclusion
Works Cited
Links

A Roma girl is portrayed here wearing traditional gypsy clothes.

Another way the Roma people’s right have been violated would be suppression of their nomadic culture by passing laws to prohibit traveling Gypsies. Thomas Acton, who is Britain’s first professor of Romani studies at Greenwich University, London, estimates “that there are some 5,000 gypsy families that want to continue their traditional nomadic lifestyle, but have nowhere legal to park their caravans.” (“Persecuted”) The Rom possess little rights to claim areas for their caravans, even if they own land. In 1968 the Caravan Sites Act was passed, stating it was illegal for travelers to stop at designated areas, such as in Camden, London. (Coverley) Rampant racism in various European local governments have resulted in laws, such as the 1994 Criminal Justice Act, being passed. The focus of this act was to stop the Roma from setting up illegal camping sites.

Stereotypes of the Rom are many and brutally negative. Throughout many countries in Europe the Rom have been cast as scapegoats and pariahs. In a recent survey:

conducted by the Sofia-based Bulgarian Helsinki Committee of 1,000 ethnic Bulgarian adults polled, 91 percent believe that Gypsies are predisposed to criminal behavior and 83 percent believe that Gypsies are ‘lazy and irresponsible.’ In the same poll 59 percent of respondents said they would not live in the same neighborhood as Gypsies. Nearly 94 percent said they would not marry a Gypsy and 69 percent said they would not maintain a friendship with a Gypsy. (Giles)

Silverman comments that a tremendously common believed stereotype is that gypsies have a “genetic propensity for crime”. (1) This statement is backed upped by the media frequently revealing the race of Roma suspects. Even government officials hold Roma prejudices. Jozsef Pacai, the mayor of the Slovak village of Medzev, is no exception to the rule and was quoted in 1993 as saying, “I’m no racist, but some Gypsies you just have to shoot.” (qtd. in Silverman) In several countries- including Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and the Czech and Slovak Republics, there have been reported mob attacks against the Rom and the authorities purposely did not step in. Racism is clearly apparent in “police brutality and court prejudices.” (Silverman)

The Rom stereotypes are even extended to places such as stores. Silverman explained that Roma face discrimination and access to public and private transportation, stores, restaurants, theaters, sports facilities, and discos. Often signs are posted saying “No Gypsies allowed.” In all too many instances, Roma are barred from even going into a store, and when they do enter the store they are often denied service. Sengupta described that in the Czech and Slovak Republics, a number of bars and restaurants openly refuse to serve Roms. There are no repercussions inflicted upon the managers and store owners for this severe, detrimental, and inexcusable violation of human rights.

This webpage was created by F.W. and M.L .on 3/28/99 for History and Thought of Western Man, Rich East High School, Park Forest, Illinois.

Return to Index