Blog

Across Europe, Roma communities continue to experience the long-term effects of exclusion, dispossession, and racialisation — legacies of centuries of antigypsyism that remain largely unacknowledged within formal justice systems. While European and national frameworks have advanced policies for inclusion, they often fall short of recognising antigypsyism as a historical injustice that requires transformative and reparatory responses rather than solely social or economic measures.

The JEKHIPE Project – Reclaiming our past, rebuilding our future: new approaches to fighting antigypsyism, funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme of the European Union, was conceived to bridge this gap. It reframes antigypsyism not only as a contemporary human rights concern but also as a transitional justice challenge — one that requires truth-telling, recognition, reparation, and structural reform.

This approach draws from the growing body of global thought and practice on transformative justice, which recognises that genuine change must address both past violations and their ongoing structural impacts.

Transformative justice emphasises participation, redistribution, intergenerational healing, and collective empowerment as essential components of social repair. At the same time, diverse global perspectives on justice remind us that sustainable transformation must be rooted in community knowledge, cultural memory, and local traditions of dialogue and reconciliation. These insights deeply resonate with Roma struggles for truth, dignity, and representation.

Against this backdrop, the Civil Society Toolbox on Countering Antigypsyism seeks to serve as a strategic and practical resource for civil society organisations (CSOs), NGOs, and practitioners working to counter antigypsyism and promote equality across Europe.

Author: Dr Ismael Cortés – Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Centre on Antigypsyism (Heidelberg University); Associate Professor, UNESCO Chair of Philosophy for Peace (Universitat Jaume I).

About ERGO Network

ERGO Network brings together Roma and pro-Roma civil society organisations from across Europe to fight discrimination, promote equality, and strengthen Roma participation in policymaking. Through advocacy, capacity-building, and grassroots empowerment, ERGO Network works to ensure Roma communities are heard at local, national, and European levels.

Over the past three years, new policies have been tabled to pave the way towards meaningful Roma inclusion and to address the many instances of historical injustice faced by these communities. This new analysis shows that beyond big plans and lofty ambitions, the process of achieving systemic justice seems to be threatened by constant interruptions, delays and changing political will. Most of the measures that would acknowledge past and present injustices fall short of practical implementation. By and large, Roma remain forgotten: political, cultural and linguistic representation is hollow; equitable policies are few and far between, while violence, exclusion and discrimination persist.

Justice should not be subject to the whims of those wielding political power – thus, beyond describing the current reality, the policy brief JUSTICE, INTERRUPTED: Revisiting transitional justice, truthand reconciliation efforts at the EU level and in Germany, Romania, Spain and Sweden, authored by Júlia Pőcze, Sergio Carrera, Anabel Carballo-Mesa, Ismail Cortés, Dezső Máté, Iulius Rostas and Jan Selling is also a call to action for national governments and the EU alike. The recommendations call for systemic change and a coherent, EU-wide approach, shaped by Roma people and supported by their lived experiences and testimonies

The research brief ‘Latest Developments, Strategies and Recommendations to Combat Antigypsyism in Sweden‘, authored by Jan Selling, analyses on any relevant policy or legal updates of direct relevance to the scope of the CHACHIPEN national report on Sweden titled “Considering the Swedish Commission Against Antigypsyism 2014-2016” (Selling, 2022). It summarizes the key findings of the original CHACHIPEN National Report, followed by the updates and latest developments in Swedish national policy, and an assessment of whether some of the issues identified by the original report have been addressed since, and an exploration of the possible ways forward regarding national policy in light of the role that EU could play in this issue.

Since the original publication of the CHACHIPEN country report on Sweden, the negative trend in Swedish policies regarding antigypsyism continues. The government still sees no necessity in upgrading the Swedish inclusion strategy to meet the standards of the EU Roma strategic framework on equality, inclusion and participation (NRIS). This Country Briefing shows that Roma stakeholders are frustrated, and that Roma’s trust in society is declining. 

About the author:  Jan Selling is the Head of the Department and Professor of Critical Romani Studies at Södertörn University Stockholm, specialized in the areas of Romani history, emancipation, and antigypsyism.

The Research Brief has been coordinated by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).

The research brief ‘Antigypsyism in the Czech Republic: From Recognition to Transitional Justice ?‘, authored by Gwendolyn Albert, analyses antigypsyism in the former Czechoslovakia and Czech Republic, tracing its roots from the 19th century to the present day. It explores recent efforts to render antigypsyism socially unacceptable and to integrate its historical context into educational and institutional frameworks in the Czech Republic. Recognising the enduring nature of antigypsyism is central to Roma civil society’s advocacy for the legal, political, and structural reforms essential to Roma inclusion, as well as to transitional justice and truth and reconciliation initiatives.

The report draws on desk research and qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 10 Roma respondents across generations, ranging from civil society figures to past and present government officials. The interviews centre on respondents’ lived experiences of antigypsyism and highlight the deep and pervasive ways in which this form of discrimination affects even the most personal aspects of life. Respondents reflected on the concept of antigypsyism and the extent to which it is understood, or misunderstood, by various stakeholders. Most respondents requested anonymity.

About the author: Gwendolyn Albert is a freelance consultant and researcher working on human rights- centred topics, with a particular focus on the history, rights and inclusion of Romani people in the Czech Republic and beyond.

The Research Brief has been coordinated by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) and   SLOVO 21.

The research brief ‘Latest Developments, Strategies and Recommendations to Combat Antigypsyism in Spain‘, authored by  Anabel Carballo-Mesa, and Ismael Cortés, presents the current situation of the Working Commission on Memory and Reconciliation with the Roma People, created under the Democratic Memory Law and other policies, as detailed in the CHACHIPEN Spanish National report.

The Briefing is divided into four parts. It begins with a background about the CHACHIPEN project and the political context in which the project was implemented in Spain. It then presents the current situation under a new Spanish XIV legislature. Finally, it outlines several conclusions and recommendations related to the process of Truth and Reconciliation in Spain.

About the authors:

Anabel Carballo-Mesa is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Barcelona (UB).

Dr. Ismael Cortés is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Research Centre on Antigypsyism at Heidelberg University and an Associate Professor in the International Master’s Program in Peace, Conflicts, and Development Studies at Universitat Jaume I, mentoring future global scholars and human rights defenders.

The Research Brief has been coordinated by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).

Antigypsyism – both institutional and interpersonal, past and present – is the foundation of the persistent structural exclusion of Roma and Sinti in Italy. Persistent non-recognition of Roma and Sinti as a minority reflects a long-standing institutional pattern of exclusion from citizenship. This ‘ban and delegitimize’ approach was further reinforced and exacerbated under the fascist regime through confinement, deportation, property confiscation and differential treatment. The absence of legal recognition of cultural identity and citizenship rights has historically relegated Roma and affairs to police and local law-enforcement. The institutionalised system of housing segregation in camps, along with the so-called ‘nomads’ emergency’ in the early 2000s, mirrored this same pattern.

Recent efforts have begun to uncover the historical truth of fascist-era racial persecution against Roma and Sinti, a critical step toward transitional justice. The next step is to acknowledge that fascism did not create the Roma as victims. Rather, antigypsyism enabled fascism to carry out unpunished violence with ease. Democracy and the protection of universal human rights are therefore essential to (1) prevent and sanction antigypsyist violence and rights violations, and (2) promote a culture that values diversity.

The research brief ‘Institutional Weaknesses and Relational Voids: Historically Rooted Structural Barriers in Countering Antigypsyism in Italy‘, authored by  Ksenija Fonović, Sorina Rita Sein, and Saška Jovanović, outlines a series of concrete recommendations, which may also be pursued as stand-alone advocacy and educational initiatives, given the current pivotal moment. While Italy’s political climate trends toward exclusion and securitisation, EU strategies and local Roma partnerships continue to promote rights-based inclusion. The main obstacle to truth and reconciliation remains the institutional fragility of the actors involved.

About the authors:  

Ksenija Fonović is a political scientist, researcher, consultant and post-doctoral research fellow at Charles University in Prague.

Sorina Rita Sein is a long-time contributor of the Italian NGO RomniAPSand an expert researcher working on topics related to the integration, rights and citizenship of Roma and Sinti minorities.

Saška Jovanović is a researcher, intercultural mediator and the President and founder of the non-profit organisations RomniAPS and ROWNIonlus-Romawomen network Italy, which seek to advance the integration and rights of Roma and Sinti populations in Italy.

The research brief has been coordinated by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) and     Romni APS.

The research brief ‘Latest Developments, Strategies and Recommendations to Combat Antigypsyism in Romania‘, authored by Iulius Rostas, provides relevant policy or legal updates regarding transitional justice initiatives to address antigypsyism in Romania. In November 2022, the first report on transitional justice initiatives in Romania was prepared as part of the EU-funded CHACHIPEN project. The initial report was intended as a baseline for measuring progress in combating historically rooted antigypsyism in Romania through the use of transitional justice tools, including Truth and Reconciliation processes.

The 2022 report identifies several key areas where antigypsyism has continued to manifest in contemporary Romanian society:
Negative Perceptions: A 2020 survey revealed that 70 % of Romanians do not trust Roma. Moreover, nearly one-third of the population regards Roma as a ‘problem’, with almost one in ten considering them a ‘threat’.

Educational Segregation: Roma children face disproportionately high rates of school segregation. A 2016 monitoring report found that 20.1 % of schools practiced some form of segregation. This segregation contributes to significant educational disparities between Roma and non-Roma students.

Discrimination in the Justice System: The report cites numerous instances of police violence against Roma, as well as discriminatory practices in law enforcement and the administration of justice. For example, a study from 2002 found that Roma comprised 17.2 % of the prison population, despite representing only about 2.5 % of the total population according to the 2001 census.
Environmental Racism: The report documents cases of forced evictions of Roma communities and their relocation to polluted or hazardous areas. One striking example is the Pata-Rat case in Cluj-Napoca, where Roma families were forcibly relocated to an area near a garbage dump.

Exclusion from Knowledge Production: Despite a growing number of Roma with higher education degrees, very few hold senior academic positions. The report notes that there are no Roma full-time senior professors at Romanian universities, apart from two junior academics at the Romani Language Chair of the University of Bucharest.

Lack of Identity and Cultural Representation Institutions: Unlike other minorities in Romania, Roma do not have state-funded cultural institutions such as museums or theaters dedicated to their history and culture.

About the author:  Iulius Rostas is Visiting Professor at National University of Political Studies and Public Administration Bucharest, Romania.

The Research Brief has been coordinated by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).

Sinti and Roma continue to experience pervasive patterns of antigypsyism and discrimination across all aspects of life, including education, employment, housing, and interactions with police and public authorities. The rise of right-wing extremism, including within political party systems, is reflected in the increasing antigypsyismfaced by these communities. Members of the minority regularly express fear about a changing political environment and discourse, stereotypical media coverage and general societal views about Sinti and Roma.

The Reporting and Information Office on Antigypsyism (MIA) documented 1,678 incidents in 2024, which is an increase of almost 40% from 2023. Yet, these numbers are only the tip of the iceberg as many members of the communities do not report their experiences, often out of resignation or fear of retribution. Independent research by Leipzig University confirms that more than 40% of the German society holds antigypsyist prejudices.

The paper ‘National Policy Recommendatons on Fighting Antigypsyism in Germany‘, authored by Sozialfabrik, draws its insights form several key sources, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. The Roma Civil Monitor on the National Roma Strategic Framework “Fighting Antigypsyism, Ensuring Participation! Towards the Implementation of the EU-Roma Strategy 2030” provides important information about the state of implementation and the strength and weaknesses of the framework more broadly. Similarly, the forthcoming Jekhipe country briefing and research briefing on Germany (on file with the author) and MIA’s reports provide a detailed, cross-sectoral overview about the state of antigypsyism and strategies to combat it. Moreover, the Jekhipe project’s survey allows to incorporate the perceptions and needs analysis of key figures in public administration and Sinti and Roma as well as pro-Roma CSOs. These sources are complemented by a stakeholder map, that identifies and analyses key institutions and individuals influencing and developing policies regarding the situation of the minority.

About the author:  Sozialfabrik e.V. is an organisation dedicated to political analysis and research with a focus on the following social and political areas: minorities – especially Sinti and Roma; migration; sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR); social inclusion and equal treatment of socially disadvantaged groups. The aim of Sozialfabrik e.V. is to make a significant contribution – independently or in cooperation with partner organisations – to the critical research of government institution policies and to enable a more effective implementation of these policies.  

Antigypsyism in Italy is a deeply entrenched and institutionally embedded form of racism, with roots in centuries of persecution. From the expulsions of the 15th century to fascist-era confinement and deportations, Roma and Sinti communities have faced persistent marginalization. Post-war policies continued this legacy through segregated schooling and the creation of state-run “nomad camps.” More recently, the so-called “Nomad Emergency” (2007–2011) enabled mass evictions and discriminatory practices such as fingerprinting of Roma children—measures later declared illegal, but whose effects continue to shape policy and public attitudes. Despite these histories, Roma and Sinti remain unrecognized as a national minority, while Italy’s equality body lacks the independence and resources to address systemic racism.

Today, antigypsyism persists in multiple forms. Roma communities face structural exclusion in education, housing, and political participation, while state institutions often frame Roma issues as matters of public order rather than human rights. The absence of truth-telling and remembrance mechanisms perpetuates historical amnesia, with the Porrajmos – the Roma Holocaust – excluded from school curricula and public commemorations. Roma women, in particular, endure intersectional discrimination, frequently concealing their identity to avoid stigma. At the same time, policies such as the National Roma Strategy (2021–2030) remain weakly enforced and poorly participatory. Roma-led organisations are fragmented, chronically underfunded and not at all present in mainstream public – third sector dialogues on topics of major concern, such as education, housing or health. Yet, they have promoted important initiatives on the historical memory of Roma suffering and contribution during the Second World War and continue to play a crucial role in advocating for justice and reform.

The paper ‘National Policy Recommendatons on Fighting Antigypsyism in Italy‘, authored by Romni APS, calls for truth, recognition, and structural change. By embedding memory into education, strengthening institutions, and enabling Roma leadership, Italy can begin to repair historic injustices and create the conditions for full and equal participation in a democratic society rooted in dignity and inclusion.

About the author:  Romni APS works for the integration of the Roma population and other traveling communities into the Italian and European society, and against all forms of prejudice and discrimination. We take concrete action to respect different identities, equal dignity, and the fundamental values of civilized living.