Intolerance towards national minorities and ethnic groups: the case of Romany Cover Image

Nietolerancja wobec mniejszości narodowych i grup etnicznych: przykład Romów
Intolerance towards national minorities and ethnic groups: the case of Romany

Author(s): Łukasz Kwadrans
Subject(s): Cultural Essay, Political Essay, Societal Essay
Published by: Instytut Slawistyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk

Summary/Abstract: The Romany are most helpless and unwanted among European national minorities. It is possible to notice their increasing impoverishment. Communities in certain countries tend to isolate them. The Romany are also left without jobs, their health care conditions are getting worse and the education level among the children and young people is low. Two thirds of Gypsies in Europe live in the countries which are members of the European Union and they usually play a secondary role in the societies. This article presents psychological and sociological factors which distinguish the Romany among the majority of the society. This leads to high exposure to the acts of discrimination, intolerance and the lack of acceptance of the Gypsies leaders. Such cases happen in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, and in other countries. The documentation of the European Roma Right Center concerning such discrimination acts towards the Romany is getting bigger. Many documents include numerous cases of hate speech, situations like the one in Usti on the Elbe and acts of violence towards the members of this community. These events increase the tempo of departures of the Romany to the countries of Western Europe and influence their ethnic mobilization. Such cases also create certain organizational structures which are able to represent the Romany interests.

  • Issue Year: 2004
  • Issue No: 24-25
  • Page Range: 181-192
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Polish