Antiziganism

Antiziganism refers to the bias, prejudice or discrimination against the Roma.

Overview

Antiziganism has been widespread in Europe since the Middle Ages. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) adopted an official definition for antiziganism on October 8, 2020:

Working definition of antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination

Distorting or denying persecution of Roma or the genocide of the Roma. Glorifying the genocide of the Roma. Inciting, justifying, and perpetrating violence against Roma communities, their property, and individual Roma. Forced and coercive sterilizations as well as other physically and psychologically abusive treatment of Roma. Perpetuating and affirming discriminatory stereotypes of and against Roma. Blaming Roma, using hate speech, for real or perceived social, political, cultural, economic and public health problems. Stereotyping Roma as persons who engage in criminal behavior. Using the term “Gypsy” as a slur. Approving or encouraging exclusionary mechanisms directed against Roma on the basis of racially discriminatory assumptions, such as the exclusion from regular schools and institutional procedures or policies that lead to the segregation of Roma communities. Enacting policies without legal basis or establishing the conditions that allow for the arbitrary or discriminatory displacement of Roma communities and individuals. Holding Roma collectively responsible for the real or perceived actions of individual members of Roma communities. Spreading hate speech against Roma communities in whatever form, for example in media, including on the internet and on social networks.

Persecution

For centuries, the Roma have been victims of persecution and systemic discrimination in many countries. They were subject to repeated mass murders as well.

Modern period

Between the 1500s and the 1700s, Romani men could be hanged without a trial in many countries. Muslim Roma reportedly face double discrimination – antiziganism and alleged Islamophobia. Smears against the Roma are common, especially in European countries. Unfortunately, the Roma are blamed just as the Jewish people for social problems and wrongdoings of others.

Nazi Germany

In World War II, while the Holocaust was happening, the Roma were also genocided by Nazi Germany, his allied countries and their local collaborators in Axis-occupied territories. Historians estimated that between 250,000 and 500,000 Roma had been killed. Some historians give a higher death toll estimate, ranging from 800,000 to 1,500,000.

Antiziganism Media

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  Anti-Romani protest in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, 29 June 2013

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  A French poster depicting a child being kidnapped by nomads

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  German Nazi deportation of Sinti and Roma from Asperg, 1940

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  Eva Justin checking the facial characteristics of a Romani woman as part of her "racial studies"

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  Anti-Roma protest in Sofia, Bulgaria, 2011

• Anti-Roma graffiti in Sofia.

• Polandball comic on the news that a group of Romani people were chased from their camps in Marseille

• Roma slum Luník IX near Košice, Slovakia

Related pages

• Independent State of Croatia
• Jasenovac concentration camp