Dear Readers,

What happened at a meeting in a school building in London on April 8, 1971, received barely any attention in the media. That's why there are only a few photos. In one of the pictures, activists are holding up a placard together. They are commemorating three children who died shortly beforehand in a fire in a caravan. They are all singing the Roma anthem "Gelem, gelem". A powerful symbol: For the need for unity and striving for a better future, as well as the joint fight against exclusion.

The gathering of participants at the first "World Roma Congress" is now regarded as groundbreaking for this minority's self-organizations. And this is why "International Roma Day" on April 8, is commemorating it. At that time, activists from all over Europe met in London to talk about how to deal with ongoing discrimination, the lack of compensation for National Socialist injustice and the absence of social recognition.

Topics from the past? No, not at all.

An example: Until recently, those affected by the mass murder of Roma by Germans in Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova were among the "forgotten" victims of National Socialist persecution. They receive hardly any support either in their home countries or internationally. In this newsletter you will find out how the EVZ Foundation provides help for survivors of National Socialist persecution through its "Latcho Dives" funding program and how it also ensures that the dedicated helpers on the ground receive support.

You will also see why antigypsy incidents still remain largely unknown today. Dr. Andra Draghiciu, project worker for incident recording, research and public relations at the reporting and information unit for antigypsyism in Rhineland-Palatinate (MIA-RLP - Melde- und Informationsstelle Antiziganismus Rheinland-Pfalz) explains the reasons for this in our "3 Questions for..." section.

Have you ever been to Weimar? From May 8, there will be another reason for a trip! Find out what it is in this newsletter.

Stay curious, be informed and engage with us.

Dr. Andrea Despot
CEO of the EVZ Foundation

CULTURE OF REMEMBRANCE

 

As the first report by the reporting and information unit for antigypsyism shows, 621 antigypsy incidents were recorded for the year 2022. However, we assume that the number of unreported cases will be much higher. There are numerous reasons for this: Antigypsyism has only recently come to the attention of the German public, for which reason there is little knowledge about this phenomenon itself. At the institutional level, no fixed, official definition has yet been developed that is recognized by all state, political or civil society bodies. On an individual level, people who are not affected by this phenomenon tend to lack knowledge about what antigypsyism is and its manifestations in everyday life. Consequently, it is not usually recognized as such. Furthermore, German society has a long history of antigypsyism. For those affected, the antigypsy view of institutions, media and individuals is therefore an integral element of their lives. Many of them do not know any reality outside antigypsyism. They perceive the way in which the dominant society treats them as normal. This contributes to the fact that antigypsy incidents are often not regarded as exceptional or worth reporting.

Moreover, many of those affected are suspicious of a system that has excluded and discriminated against them and their families for generations. And this is why they don't report their experiences or make a complaint. Some also do not want to come out as members of a group affected by antigypsyism because they fear negative consequences. Ultimately, people in Germany are also affected by antigypsyism if they do not speak German well enough, are unaware of their rights and therefore do not know who they can talk to.

NEWSLETTER 05/2024