The Ignored Story of Romani People

* ^{DISCLAIMER: This is a sensitive topic that deals with racism, discrimination, and other forms of subjugation that may be upsetting to some. Additionally, the term "g*psy" is regarded as an offensive slur. Therefore, it will not be used and instead the proper terms "Roma" or "Romani" will be utilized.*} 

Throughout European history, across almost (if not all) European nations, there has been a consistent and aggressive mistreatment towards Romani people. Historically believed to have traveled to Europe from Northern India, the Romani people have been in Europe since the 14th-15th century. Romani people have since faced constant discrimination from most European countries or, at the very least, negative connotations that have alienated them from society .

While most aggressive forms of discrimination have subsided into the 21st century. Some countries, however, are utilizing a form of systematic racism to continue the subjugation of the Romani people. Slovakia specifically has done so by means of segregation, education, career opportunities, and even where Romani people may live.

Despite criticism from organizations such as the EU, Amnesty International, and the European Court of Human Rights, these circumstances seem to remain in Slovakia.

The map above is an analysis made in relation to the purchasing power per capita in different postcodes and boundaries throughout Slovakia. Alongside this, I have personally added multiple Roma villages and communities with a population of over 50% Roma people via points. As you can see, while many communities live within cities where there is an inherently large purchasing power overall, many are also placed in areas with less than 6,000 Euros worth of purchasing power overall. Additionally, some are placed within the outskirts of cities with a relatively large purchasing power. These outskirts signify many "slums" where Romani people have no choice but to live.

Throughout studies and general observation of the living conditions of Romani people in Slovakia, it is a very apparent component that most Romani people live in deplorable impoverished conditions. A study done by the Central European Labour Studies Institute describes that Roma communities, " suffer from a high risk of poverty and social exclusion: at-risk-of-poverty rate of Roma people in Slovakia reached 87% compared to 13% in general population"; an upsetting and unbelievable distinction [4].

It should also be noted most Romani people live within Central and Eastern Slovakia, within the outskirts of many cities, where they are usually designated and segregated from other communities.

Within the last 10 years, more and more people and organizations have come to realize the devastating life that many Romani people are forced to lead due to Slovakia's unfair subjugation and discrimination. Activism and media coverage has finally begun to grow surrounding the topic of Romani people in relation to not just Slovakia, but many other European countries that hold similar beliefs surrounding Roma communities.

A notable celebrity who has spoken out publicly about the mistreatment of Romani people, especially within Roma villages that had been segregated from the rest of Slovakia, is Pope Francis hismelf. After visiting Lunik IX on September 14th, 2021 during his visit through the country, Pope Francis voiced extreme upset about the treatment of Roma individuals, and their living situation in Slovakia [3]. He stated to the community of Roma worshippers how they should not be "pigeonholed" by governments due to their race, and that it was unjust [6] . The Pope finished by addressing the crowd:

All too often you have been the object of prejudice and harsh judgments, discriminatory stereotypes, defamatory words and gestures; as a result, we are all poorer in humanity [6].

After decades of extreme discrimination and the silenced voices of Roma people in Slovakia going unnoticed, the EU has recently begun to pressure Slovakia to make changes to the unjust system put in place. On April 19th of 2023, with the pursuance of the European Commission, an EU Member arrived in Slovakia to assess the beliefs of there being a mass infringement of human rights, a case that had first been made by the European Commission in 2015 [5].

While reportedly Slovakia has begun to take steps to aid in the mistreatment specifically of Romani children being segregated and falsely placed in unfit schools with little educational means, it still has not met the goals the EU holds human rights to throughout the world [5]. Because of this, Slovakia has been concluded to need to further its efforts, with the cost of not doing so being a fine from the EU, and consistent payments until standards are met. The European Commission stated from its analysis of Slovakia that while measures had been made:

... after carefully assessing those measures and monitering the situation on teh ground, the Commission concluded that the reforms undertaken so far are insufficient [4].

While we are seeing an extreme version of the mass discrimination and subjugation of Roma people in Slovakia, this is hardly just an issue in said country. The mistreatment of Romani people is an issue that has plagued all of Europe for centuries and is still far from gone. Even in the United States today, personal biases towards Romani people are very prevalent and lead to consistent unfair treatment. It is important we acknowledge this apparent racism, even if it is not exactly in our "neck of the woods", as it affects the world's initiative towards world peace for all, without discrimination and unfair treatment towards any race, ethnicity, religion, and so on.

Through mapping and statistical analysis, it is clear to see that the systematic treatment towards the Roma communities in Slovakia is not just a rumor, or misinformation, but instead a real-life horrifying ongoing event. It is clear that basic human rights such as housing, water, cleanliness, education, and everyday things one cannot even fathom, have been stripped away from communities of people. While changes are being made, it takes the concentration and drive of a whole community, city, country, and world to truly combat these problems that affect so many lives.