“Roma” labelling, identity politics and EU-integration: the case of Montenegro Cover Image

“Roma” labelling, identity politics and EU-integration: the case of Montenegro
“Roma” labelling, identity politics and EU-integration: the case of Montenegro

Author(s): Sofia Zahova
Subject(s): Anthropology, Social Sciences, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Ethnic Minorities Studies
Published by: Ústav etnológie a sociálnej antropológie Slovenskej akadémie vied
Keywords: Montenegro; Minority policies; RAE population; EU-integration; Western Balkan;

Summary/Abstract: The article makes an overview of the groups labelled as Gypsy/Roma and the minority policies related to Roma in present day Montenegro, and discusses how – in view of the processes in the region and in the course of the state’s EU-integration – the top-down approach of adopting definitions centred on the terms “Roma and Egyptians” and “Roma” have influenced the state politics of identity regarding sup- porting and promoting new identities, as well as reinforcing the label “Roma” and “Romani” for all communities considered of common (Gypsy/Roma) origin. Further on, the impact of the EU-integration discourse on legislation and setting up Romani and Egyptian organizations is discussed within the public policies sector. Finally, I discuss initiatives and resources for publishing in Romani language in a country where a great part of the groups considered being of Romani origin speak another language as a mother tongue. My main argument is that the minority protection EU-conditionality and the special focus on the rights of the Roma, have led to an “import” of Roma issues for “solving”, along with copy-pasting of activities that supposedly aim to flag Romani identity and language even though neither Romani identity nor Romani language are characteristic for all communities labelled as “Roma”.

  • Issue Year: 66/2018
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 419-435
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: English