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.
