Demonstration outside the Federal Criminal Investigation Department in Wiesbaden, Germany, in January 1983 against the special registration of Sinti and Roma by the police. In the foreground Holocaust survivor Ranko Brantner, and civil rights activists Anton Franz and Romani Rose. Copyright: Central Council of German Sinti and Roma.

Paving the way for Truth and Reconciliation Process to address antigypsyism in Europe: Remembrance, Recognition, Justice and Trust-Building

The CHACHIPEN project will combine participatory research, strengthening advocacy capacity among Roma activists & communities, & targeted awareness-raising activities among policymakers, the media, & public institutions.

Activities & News

The European Parliament calls for the establishment of Truth and Reconciliation Processes

April 15, 2015 marked a historical moment. The European Parliament voted with an overwhelming majority to finally adopt a resolution which recognises the historical fact of the genocide of Sinti and Roma that took place during World War II.  The resolution established 2 August as the European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day.

On October 25, 2017 the European Parliament strengthened the fight against antigypsyism and called for the establishment of Truth and Reconciliation Processes.

International Kick-Off Conference of CHACHIPEN: 50th International Roma Day (8 April 2021): Towards justice and building trust

The Webinar features the international Kick-Off Conference of the Chachipen project on 29 March 2021.

CHACHIPEN’s key objectives are to advance the recognition and response to historically-rooted and systemic antigypsyism, to achieve justice, equality, non-discrimination and the full participation of Roma as equal citizens across Europe. 

Publications & Research

Truth and Reconciliation Process to Address Antigypsyism in Europe

This Brief presents and summarizes the key findings and policy recommendations based on the four CHACHIPEN Country Reports covering Germany, Romania, Sweden, and Spain. It highlights commonalities and differences between these EU member states, draws lessons learned, and makes recommendations for future EU policy interventions. This Brief also takes into account the key findings resulting from the Strategic Visioning Exercise that took place on 23 June 2022 as part of the CHACHIPEN project.

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Antigypsyism in Romania: Lessons (not) learned

This paper represents an analysis of antigypsyism in Romania. It is part of the
CHACHIPEN project, advancing the recognition of, and response to, antigypsyism to
achieve justice, equality, non-discrimination, and the full participation of Roma as
equal citizens across Europe.

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ROMA ADVOCACY HANDBOOK

The handbook builds on the previous and ongoing work of project partners and combines practical and theoretical knowledge, academic research, training practices, available legal instruments and field work.

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Transitional Justice tools to address historically rooted antigypsyism in Europe

How can transitional justice tools address historically rooted antigypsyism? What can we learn from transitional justice experiences with truth and reconciliation commissions around the globe? What could be applied and to which chapters of the dark history of antigypsyism? These and other topical questions have been addressed during the Strategic Visioning Exercise convened by CEPS.

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Virtual Commemoration of the European Holocaust Memorial Day for Sinti and Roma, 2 August 2020

On 2 August, we commemorate the last 4,300 Sinti and Roma in the German Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, who were murdered by the SS on that night in 1944 despite their fierce resistance. In memory of all 500,000 Sinti and Roma murdered in Nazi-occupied Europe, the European Parliament declared this date the European Holocaust Memorial Day for Sinti and Roma in 2015. Visit the new website and the virtual commemoration of 2 August 2020 and 2021.