Conditions in general
● ‘Difficult living conditions, also deteriorating, sometimes sub-human living conditions.
● In these circumstances difficulty of retaining the Roma/Gypsy identity.
● Roma/Gypsies were often forgotten in the midst of current changes and difficulties in most countries. They were kept on the fringes of politics.
Rejection
● Racist clichés can be found everywhere, including the media, which all too often carries racist propaganda and encourages rejection in attitudes and conduct.
● Roma/Gypsies are often stigmatized and their cultural characteristics are not recognized. Romantic clichés do not improve the image of Roma/Gypsies and Travellers, nor do negative stereotypes which put Roma/Gypsies on the same footing as beggars and outcasts, encouraging a stress on wretchedness in analyses and government action.
● Many publications present a negative image of Roma/Gypsy communities. This leads to exclusion from the social scene.
There is a flagrant lack of participation in all forms of power and decision-making bodies in the different countries.
● A substantial proportion of discrimination is caused by the authorities themselves, which fail to penalize racist action against Roma/Gypsies; local authorities are frequently guilty of removing Roma/Gypsies with various degrees of violence; there were cases of real administrative ethnocide through false analyses and inappropriate actions.
● Situations of violent conflict up to and including murder are commonplace, and on the rise. In some Eastern European countries democracy has released aggression among people which more often than not is directed against the Roma/Gypsy. In Western Europe, dwellings and caravans have been burnt in the course of action taken against Roma/Gypsies.
● An attitude of rejection is becoming apparent in states with an influx of Roma/Gypsy families from Eastern Europe, expressed as a desire to move them on to third states.
Justice
● In many cases the judicial authorities fail to deal with attacks against the dignity of the Roma/Gypsy.
● Sometimes the police break their professional secrecy and violate national constitutions by revealing, where Roma/Gypsies are involved, the ethnic identity of detainees.
● Care should be taken with the international development of computerized records, which are tantamount to setting up a police surveillance system.
● Roma/Gypsies are not asking for compassion, but for the right to equality with other citizens. Racist and discriminatory laws are still in force even within the member states of the European Community.
Employment and economic activities
● Difficulties in the pursuit of economic activities due to repression and rejection by the surrounding environment; these made it difficult to integrate into society.
● Difficulties in adjustment or retraining in connection with current changes in economic activities. Traditional activities should not be discouraged; Some of them still have a future. The most arduous work is often given to Roma/Gypsies.
● Problems caused by bans on door-to-door sales, as many Roma/Gypsies are involved in itinerant trades. Such restrictions are inconsistent with freedom of movement and free competition in the member states.
● Many skills are underused.
● Significant shortfall in vocational training.
Health
● Life expectancy is poor. Older people are rare, while infant mortality remains significant.
● The birth-rate is very high. Roma/Gypsies form a very young and rapidly expanding population.
● There are numerous chronic illnesses (respiratory diseases, rheumatism, digestive illnesses); access to care is difficult, in many cases registration with health insurance schemes to qualify for reimbursement of medical expenses is problematic.
● Unbalanced nutrition, which led to deficiencies. Smoking is common among the very young and drugs are coming onto the scene. Some groups and families experience real hunger.
Education
● Conditions for schooling are generally difficult: the education system has ignored Roma/Gypsies for a long time. Studies carried out by the Commission of the European Communities since 1984 have provided evidence and reports on this issue. These conditions result in the well-known, very high proportion of illiteracy, up to 90 per cent of the adult population.
● Inadequate pre-school education.
● Insufficient account is taken of the language.
● Rejection and segregation in the classroom is common.
● Many children are not registered at a school and if they are registered they do not attend.
Accommodation
● Living conditions are often unacceptable.
● Roma/Gypsies tend to group together on the outskirts of cities in poor conditions.
● There are fewer and fewer camping spaces: the surrounding population also has housing problems.
● Roma/Gypsies are tending to settle, particularly because it is increasingly difficult to travel and park.
● Parking for Roma/Gypsies is a crucial problem. They are harassed. There is a pressing need to deal with this and to establish networks, at least at national levels, to accommodate nomads.
● Shanty towns are still to be found in many member states, alongside problems with water, electricity, sewers and sanitation (with children in the midst of rats)
Πηγή:
https://www.synigoros.gr/resources/roma/sxetika-genika-eggrafa/romareport.pdf