Violence, poverty and widespread discrimination have made Roma communities
the “punchbags” of Europe and victims of an “undeclared Apartheid” system.
These were among the conclusions reached by an expert panel which took part
in the Council of Europe’s ‘Viewpoint’ human rights talk show.
VIDEO
Experts in View Point: Roma are victims of Europe’s
‘undeclared Apartheid’
Gwendolyn Albert, a political analyst based in the Czech Republic, claimed on
the television programme that the current plight of Roma confirmed the
“undeclared Apartheid” which marginalises Roma communities throughout Europe.
“This is probably Europe’s biggest untold story and most unrecognised social
situation,” she said. “The levels of violence that Roma face across Europe at
the hands of their fellow citizens are medieval in nature. Their human rights
are being violated every single day all across Europe.”
Sociologist Donatella De Vito, Roma projects manager for the Milan-based Casa
della Carità, endorsed this view. She said Roma people came to Italy thinking
that it would be their “America,” only to find “poverty and exclusion.”
The programme, recorded last December, also discussed the revival of
‘Roma-phobia’ since the fall of Communism, the targeting of Roma women for
sterilisation and the worsening campaigns of intimidation and violence towards
Roma communities.
Isabela Mihalache, deputy director of the European Roma Rights Centre,
criticised governments for their failures to respect court judgements resulting
from complaints by Roma rights advocates. Ms Mihalche, a Roma, also demanded
greater protection for members of her community.
“Roma people really wish to have equal human rights protection and human
security because Roma rights are human rights and Roma rights do matter,” she
added.
