THE POSITION OF THE ROMANIES IN A LOCAL COMMUNITY
THE POSITION OF THE ROMANIES IN A LOCAL COMMUNITY

Author(s): Emilija Cicić
Subject(s): Education, Civil Law, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Government/Political systems, Politics and society, Culture and social structure , Welfare services, Societal Essay, Ethnic Minorities Studies
Published by: Helsinški odbor za ljudska prava u Srbiji
Keywords: Emilija Cicić; Kragujevac; Romani people; ethnic minority; social status; civil rights; poverty; education; stereotype;
Summary/Abstract: The Romanies in Kragujevac have a destiny similar to those in other cities of Serbia: as a group, they are at the most extreme margin. Living isolated from the social trends, in an almost parallel world, they do not have any social power. The society doesn’t show interest in them and their problems, while only some individuals have an understanding of civil and collective rights. Many Romanies are not able to realize the basic civil and collective rights because they are not aware of them. More often than not, the institutions in charge, which should protect their rights, tend to reject them, rather than provide them with necessary help. The position of Romanies has got additionally worse with the wide-spread pauperization of society. A substantial number of Romanies who had been working in “Zastava” were fired. They are now either registered with the Bureau of Employment, or selling goods at the flea market. Some categories of the Romany population are in an extremely difficult position: refugees from Kosovo, deportees from the Western countries, and child beggars without parental guidance or care.

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