Author: Viktoria Schnick

During Covid-19 lockdown, a significant number of actions taken by law enforcement in ‘policing the pandemic’ were observed which clearly violated the principles of non-discrimination and equality, and constituted cruel and inhumane behaviour. In addition to incidents of police brutality, whole Romani neighbourhoods were subjected to discriminatory clampdowns by security forces.

Despite the cruel past and painful memories Roma associated with the Auschwitz camp, some 140 members of the Roma community decided to settle in the city Oświęcim after the war. However, the co-existence with the Polish neighbours deteriorated and a bar fight involving Roma in 1981 resulted in a pogrom against the Roma community and they were forced to leave the town.

Roma in Spain frequently encounter antigypsyism in hospitals, facing racist statements or even different treatment. Anna Carballo spoke with a woman about her experiences.

Aurélie Garand describes her fight and fight of her family for justice after her brother Angelo Garand was killed by a Special Unit of the police in France.

In a murder series in the years 2008 and 2009 six Roma were killed in Hungary and a few dozen injured. Four Neo-Nazis were identified as the perpetrators and sentenced, however, it was never clear, if there werent other people involved.
The testimony from Ildiko Györgyne Jakab sheds light on the devastating consequences and the PTSD people suffer still today.

After the end of the war in Kosovo, in June 1999, up to 100.000 Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians were forced to flee their homes. The Fabrička Mahala neighbourhood in the town of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica in north of Kosovo was a lively place with up to 8.000 inhabitants until it was attacked, burnt to the ground on 21 June 1999. People were killed and thousands were expelled while international “peacekeepers” belonging to the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) stood by and watched. The United Nations set up temporary camps for the expelled people. Originally planned for three months, Roma were forced to stay in these camps for years. On toxic grounds. Only in 2013, after thirteen years of exposure to lead contamination the last camp has been closed.

This is the story of Zijo Ribić who was eight years old when his childhood and previous life in the village of Skočić ended and he lost six sisters, a brother, his pregnant mother and his father,. However, Zijio miraculously survived, but his suffering continued.
Still today, 30 years later, Zijo is fighting for justice for his killed family and for all killed members of the Roma community of Skočić. No one has been brought to justice for this massacre.