Anti-Romani hate speech endemic on Russian media portals

On 6 March 2007, the ERRC sent a letter of concern to Mr Pavel Gorshkov, Executive Director of the Russian media portal “Regions”, expressing concern about the regular linkage of Roma with crime in the titles and content of news published on the portal, which incites anti-Romani sentiment in Russia. In its letter, which was copied to the Director of the Central Regional Administration of Rosohrancultura, the ERRC urged Mr Gorshkov to review the policy of the portal toward persons belonging to minority groups, in particular Roma, and to refrain from publishing reports that incite further hatred and intolerance of Roma. The full text of the letter is available on the ERRC website inEnglish and Russian.

The letter is a component of ongoing work by the ERRC in the Russian Federation to combat hate speech against Roma. Since 2006, the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs has supported ERRC work in the Russian Federation.