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U.S. Pays Much-Needed Attention to Violence Against Roma

2-17-2012

By Joëlle Fiss
Senior Associate, Fighting Discrimination Program

For many of Hungary’s 600,000 Roma, the month of February brings back dismal memories. Just after midnight on February 23, 2009, Robert Csorba and his 4-year-old-son were shot dead as they ran from their burning home in Tatárszentgyörgy, Hungary.

Other violence stuck Hungary’s Roma in 2009. There were dozens of hate crimes, many involving guns, Molotov cocktails, and severe beatings.

Four men are on trial in Budapest, accused of carrying out nine attacks between July 2008 and August 2009 that killed six Roma, including Robert Csorba and his son. In 2009 Hungarian President László Sólyom said these murders “threaten[ed] the stability of Hungary.” The authorities need to move more expeditiously to bring this trial to a close.

Meanwhile, prejudice continues. “Gypsy criminality” (cigánybűnözés) is one of the most prevalent anti-Roma stereotypes. It permeates all parts of Hungarian life—and can be found as commonly in the media as the local pub.  Extremist groups, particularly the xenophobic Jobbik, nurture these prejudices. Also, Ill-treatment and discrimination by the police fuel mistrust among Roma, who for this reason are reluctant to report hate crimes.

These concerning developments have not gone unnoticed by the U.S. government. At a roundtable with young Roma professionals in Bulgaria on February 5, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke of completing “the unfinished business of Europe,” which in her eyes includes “the full integration of the Roma people into the societies and nations where they reside.” Most importantly, she announced that the United States will join the Decade of Roma Inclusion, as an official observer.

The Decade brings together governments and civil society to increase the socioeconomic inclusion of Roma. As an observer, the United States can play a positive role in shaping the discussions. The U.S. should develop a strategy to maximize its influence.

And on February 15, the U.S. Helsinki Commission hosted “The Escalation of Violence against Roma in Europe,” chaired by Congressman Chris Smith. Human Rights First submitted a testimony, focusing on what more the U.S. government should be doing. These discussions are important: they ensure that policymakers in Washington stay focused on this serious human rights problem.

Hungary and other European nations have the primary responsibility to address violence against Roma. But the U.S. government is correct to play a role.


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Posted in Blog | 3 Comments »

  • http://kaliji.eu Hans Wahler

    It is time now for the USA to akt> the european roma politic can not be tolerate!

  • http://www.yellow-stars.com eslaporte

    Some of the most horrible attacks against Roma people come from out of Italy. There have been past questions posed to the Italian government on the treatment of the Roma people and Italian politicians have gained political office riding fear mongering of Roma people. The actions of the Italians against the Roma appear like ethnic cleansing, which includes burning people out of their homes and forced expulsions.

    We should also remember the fear of crime is used to promote anti-immigrant hate and violence. Also, fear of Islam and “Islamist terrorism” are used to promote Islamophobia and anti-Muslim policies, like burka bans.

    Europe has a wealth or human rights conventions – but they don’t have any meaning if the institutions to protect these conventions are ineffective and sluggish. The European Union needs to get the political will to protect Roma people who are EU citizens. EU citizenship should mean that Roma should enjoy freedom of movement.

  • Liz Aucoin

    What I find incredibly disturbing is that this hate mongering toward Roma is encouraged not only throughout Europe, but also in Western cultures as well. For example, here in Canada, our immigration minister believes that because of a few Roma human smugglers prosecuted here that all refugee claimants that are Roma are “bogus”, you also hear alot of hate mongering in communities like Parkdale that give in to the stereotypes and believe that Roma are criminals or they are freeloading off of the Canadian system and inciting hatred and discrimination amongst people here in Canada. This is amazing to watch since, he should know better being a Canadian and knowing all too well about how antisemitism and racism can really ruin a wonderful society like canada. We must stand up to this as Canadians! I have a second cousin here with her boyfriend seeking protection here because in Hungary, they were being persecuted by the “Hungarian Guard” for speaking out about the atrocities occuring there against the Roma, Jewish and Gay communities. They encountered violence, harrassment and threats against their lives ultimately leading them to Canada, originally just to get away and let things calm down. Upon learning from their family that they were not safe to go home, we asked Canada for their help. Canada does not want them here and is using the human smugglers as an excuse to not accept them. As of 1PM today, we recieved some terrible news…. my cousins mother was hospitalized today for recieving such a beating by the “Guarda” that she is now fighting for her life in hospital. The reason for the confrontation and violence is simply because they are continuously harrassing our family since my cousins departure to Canada. She threw a rock and demanded they leave her property, they beat her within inches of her life. Now Jason Kenney……do you still consider Hungary safe? After this, my aunt went to lodge a complaint to the police, because after all, the Hungarian Guard is an illegal paramilitary group that supposedly has been banned in Hungary since 2009, but still operates openly in cooperation with the Hungarian police. Their new consitution also further restricts media, judiciary and human rights for Roma. So it just seems like they are just trying to hide everything from the west. Are we really that gullible Mr. Kenney?