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Unit 9 - Case study The Roma
20 April 2005
Unit structure• Terminology• Language, identity and culture• Ethnic group? Society. Multidisciplinary approach• International Romani movement• Resources and links• Czech Republic
– Historical background– ECRI report 2004– Education
Terminology BasicsThe Roma/The Romani people/The Romanies (12 m Worldwide)
Rom (sg. masc.) (husband) ; Dom, Domari Romni (fem.),
Roma (pl.) or Romani (sg.), Romanies (pl.) accepted by Sinti (Hancock)
She is a Roma (sic.), Romani, a Romni Romipen, RromanipenGentiles: Gadje, gadjo, gorgio (gaujo, gawjo, gawja Hancock)
AdjectiveRomani (international documents), Romany (literature)Eg. Roma (sic.) movement, Romani Rights Centre
LanguageThe Romani language, Romani, Romanes (in a Romani
way, Romanily - Hancock)
Vakares Romanes? Do you speak in the Romani way?Kiravel Romanes. She is cooking in the Romani way
Sanskrit origins - end of 18 cent.:
1760 Valyi Stefan, University of Leiden, NLVienna Gazette 1776,
Rudiger 1782, Grellman 1783, Marsden 1785
Identity, culture, politicsIdentity – reflects attitudes of majority -- Withdrawal and separation (protect values and culture)- Internalisation of stereotypesRomani ethnicity: ‘descent, ancestry, kinship and marriage
patterns, language, social organisation, taboos, political organisation, employments and economic organisation, nomadism, codes of morality and…a particular state of mind’ (Mayall 2004: 220)
Culture & values - code of cleanlines, eating, washing up, treatment of animals, funerals, sexual behaviour etcextended family
Romani organisations – IRU; Roma National CongressEuropean level ERRC, ERIO, ERF (vide links bellow)….
Roma as an ethnic group• National minority (CEE), ethnic minority group (UK - RRA).
Community / communities. Heterogeniety.• Roma (Rumungro, Vlach, Romanichal, Kalderash, Kale,
Kalo, Lovari), Sinti, Travellers, playground and circus people, bargee people, new age travellers etc
• Gypsy is not a lifestyle but race/ ethnic group (Hancock)• Minorities autochtonous, immigrant• Roma as European minority vs Roma as European
nation
Europe's largest transnational minority; Declaration on "non-territorial" nation (2001)
Romani identities- include international strategies ethnogenesis- conscious attempt toward achieving for
the Roma the accepted status of a politically organized, non-territorial (transnational), ethnic-national group (Gheorghe 1991: 831),
Romani ‘political nationalism’, i.e. the political organization, representation and participation in political life.
‘culture moves to politics’ (Gheorghe 1991: 842), common space in which people of different ethnicity co-
operate without allowing the differences to become the predominant issue which would exclude communication.
political homogenization protects cultural heterogeneity vs the process of ‘politicization of ethnogenesis’ leads to the
abandonment of ethnic identity as a part of Romani agenda.
Roma in societyDiscrimination, racism, anti-Gypsyism, denial of racism,
reversed racism Majority relations twds the Roma
(annihilation/extermination, persecution, segregation. Assimilation, integration, accommodation, inclusion)
Major point of departures for Romani studies:a) history – migration from India, early persecution in
15- 18 cent., assimilation under Habsburgs and in Portugal; Porrajmos – Romani holocaust (0,5 m)
b) family and values; c) Romani language, identity and self-determination of
Romani nation But:
Multi-disciplinary approach
• Romani Studies / Romology• Linguistics (Indology)• History (of repression)• Cultural and social antropology / ethnology• Culturology, Musicology• International Relations (UN, EU…)• International law (HR, minority rights law)• Public and social policy• Political economy (WB, UNDP)• Sociology (power issues)• Social psychology (in-group, out-group dynamics)• Psychology (of prejudice, stereotyping) etc.
Key Romani movements: IRU & RNC
1971 First World Romani Congress –> IRUIntellectual interest (in lingustics, culture), Gypsy Lore Society1888
France CMG Communaute Mondiale Gitane 1959 (Ionel Rotaru),
CIT Comite Intl Tzigane (Vanko Rouda) –> 71 congress
Irish Traveller Community mid 60s
Finish Gypsy Association, Spanish Secretariado Gitano, Slovak and Czech Assciations for Gypsies/Roma (68 –73) Facuna, Dr. Cibula
Gypsy Council in England 1966 Johnny Brazil
National Gypsy Education Council (1970 Lady Plowden) organised next three IRU congresses
renamed to GCECWCR (for education, welfare and civil rights)
World Romani Congresses (IRU)
The first World Romani Congress, London, 1971:
16-spoked wheel as their international symbol,
flag (green and blue),
anthem (Roma arise),
proclaimed April 8 international Romani day
2nd 1979 Geneva
3rd 1981 Gottingen Germany
4th 1990 Warsaw
5th 2000 Prague
6th 2004 Lanciano Italy
RNC
Rom & Cinti Union in Hamburg (80s) -> RNC, Rudko Kawczynski
Grassroot, militant, Romani refugees from Eastern Europe – basic human rights approach
Pan-European Romani Identity
vs
nationalist “Zentralrat “ of German Sinti and Roma (81)
Matras, 1998:49-63, Puxon, 2000:94-113
Useful links and resources
European Roma Rights Centre http://www.errc.org
European Roma Information Office http://www.erionet.org/Home.html
European Roma Forum http://www.europeanromaforum.org/
WB (2003) www.worldbank.org/eca/roma
UNDP (2003) http://roma.undp.sk
Roma in the Czech Republic
• Links
• History
• Readings
• Charter 77 and Will Guy
Useful links and resources - CZ
Romea http://www.romea.cz/
Czech Radio http://www.romove.cz
Bratinka Report (1997) http://www.vlada.cz
Concept of Roma integration (2002) dtto
Compliance with Principles set forth in the FCNM according to Article 25, Paragraph 1 of this Convention, http://www.vlada.cz
Gabal, Ivan (2000) www.gac.cz
IOM report on Slovak Roma migration to CZ (Nov. 2003) http://www.iom.cz
Maria Theresa and Joseph II. (1760-1784)
assimilation, sedentarisation
1927 Act on Nomadic Gypsies (identity cards)
Nazi holocaust (200 000 –1.5 m. died)
Ctibor Necas
Paul Polanski
History
Communism• Enforced + voluntary relocation to Sudetenlands from
Slovak shanty-town settlements (after removal of Germans 1945)
• Large scale employment (low status jobs), decayed urban areas
• 1958 policy of integration (USSR model), population dispersal,
• 1958 Act on settlement of nomadic persons (repealed in CZ in 97)
• 1965 policy on transfer (from Sk) + dispersal • 68 federalisation; Association of Gypsies-Roma (73)• 1978 Charter 77 document Information on situation of
Gypsies-Roma (Guy,2001, p. 292 + „prophecy“ p. 293)
Charter 77 Document 23 about the situation of Gypsies-Roma in CS
• Denial of national minority status to R. „was dictated by the desire of the ruling powers to reduce the size of the minority problem“
• Criticism of sterilisation, housing + educational segregation, use of 58 law – branded as „racist repression“
• Challenged the government claim to have integrated Roma into labour force (perpetuating disadvantaged position)
• Warning about vulnerability of Romani workers when economy modernises p.293
1989-97
• ROI (Romani Civic Initiative) a part of OF (Civic Forum)• Roma gained status as a national minority, Romani MPs• Bogardus scale of social distance – high hostility• Beauty Queen racist utterance • Racist attacks (1995 longer sentences, racism in police force)• Unemployment (70 % vs. national 5%- Bratinka 97);
stereotype of self-chosen unemployment• Criminality (20% vs. national 3%) – criminalisation, abused
by Republicans (Sládek)• Citizenship law 93 (de facto discrimination), put most
Roma in position of aliens, 96, 2000; led to 97 exodus• Housing ghettoisation (barren flats), educational segregation
1997 - present• 97 Emigration to Canada, UK → Bratinka report on
situation of R. community in CZ Resolution # 686 (Romani district advisors, RTA) www.vlada.cz
• Inter-departmental commission for Romani affairs• 98 Social Democrats in government• Framework Convention• 98 UN CERD Concluding observations on CR, "de facto”
segregation in edu (article 5 ICERD)• April 99 Draft Concept of Romani integration, approved in
June 2000• „Conflict-free co-existence of the R. community with the
remainder of society“• Safety, non-discrimination, improving social sit
(employment, housing, health)• Equalising measures, no quota
After 1997 cont.
2001 UK Immigration officers in Prague Airport
(CHC Statement 29 Aug. 01), House of Lords Dec 2004
2002 "Conception on Romani Integration",
(2004 reformulation/revision)
2003 Denial by pres. Klaus, BBC Hardtalk
Future visions
• Fulfilling the grim Charter 77 prophecy?• EU entry impact• Double standards cf. Canada vs. UK asylum
claimants success rate• IRU stabilisation policies• Prevent mass unemployment + dependency on
social support• Prejudice, racism, hostility, discrimination, social
situation (edu., empl., housing, health…)
“Exodus” to Canada
1996: 150 Czech Romani claimants
6 Aug. 1997: TV documentary
6 Aug.– 8 Oct. 97: 1500 claimants/ “Invasion” , i.e. 6% of all refugee claimants in 97
Re-introduction of visa requirement
Migration to UK and other EU countries
Bratinka report and Concept of Romani Integration
ECRI 3rd Report on the Czech Republic8 June 2004
Part II Specific Issues:Situation of Roma at the local level
`ECRI expresses deep concern at the deplorable situation of Roma at the local level. Roma communities continue to suffer from accumulation of social and economic disadvantage, aggravated by changing economic conditions, discrimination and a lack of willingness by local officials and communities to adopt the necessary measures to improve the situation.`
ECRI Report on CZ cont.
`ECRI deeply regrets that the majority of local authorities seem not to be motivated to take actions to improve the situation of Roma as such actions are reportedly not popular with local communities and can be politically costly`
`ECRI expresses its concern over a new trend to maintain the system of segregated education in a new form – this involves special classes in mainstream schools.`
http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/Ecri/1-ECRI/2-Country-by-country_approach/Czech_Republic/Czech_Republic_CBC_3.asp#TopOfPage
READINGS: Roma in CZ/CEE
•Will Guy (ed), Between Past and Future: the Roma of Central and Eastern Europe (2001)
•Zoltan Barany, The East European Gypsies. Regime Change, Marginality, and Ethnopolitics (2002)•Will Kymlicka, Can Liberal Pluralism be Exported? (2001), mainly article by Pavel Barsa: `Ethnocultural Justice in East European States and the Case of the Czech Roma`, pp. 243-258
Education and Roma in CZ
Push factors for systemic change:
• 97 Canada visa imposition
• EU accession
• Obsolete education legislation
Bratinka Report on situation of Romani Community, October 97 (out of 44 tasks 11 were for Ministry of Education) – Over two thirds of Roma children are in special schools (ss); 75% of children in ss are Roma Concept of Romani integration (7 April 99), adopted in 2000, reformulated "Conception on Romani Integration" adopted on 23 January 2002 ‑ no quota but equalising measures New Education Act (White Book) entered in force in Jan 2005Now its impact being researched by the League of HR +ERRC, see Romano Hangos Vol.7, No 4, 10 March05, page 1-2
Criticism by UN, EC, US government reports, international NG0, etc
• UN CERD (Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination) Concluding observations on CR, 1998, "de facto” segregation (article 5 ICERD not fully implemented)
• UN CERD 2000 Report on CR
• UN CRC (Rights of Children)
• UN HRC (Human Rights Committee) Concluding observations, July 01, "to eradicate segregation of R.ch. in its edu...„
• EC Opinion and Progress Reports on CR
ERRC: Ostrava region, 27 times more in Special Schools, 5% population, 50% in special schools
Save the Children Fund: Denied a Future?, 2001 http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/scuk/jsp/resources/details.jsp?id=366&group=resources§ion=publication&subsection=details
Role of NGOs
Achievements
230 - 250 Romani teacher assistants in 2003 (introduced in 1998) communication barrier, partnership teaching, small group work, contact with families, etc not systemic, inferior status, no educated R. teachers, if not successful‑ blaming the victim
110 preparatory classes in 2001 (since 1994) multicultural/ intercultural edu. programmes -
NG0s, community schools New School, ops www.novaskola.org
Threats:
re-standardisation of psychological testing in the age of 6 - doubts about the concepts itself
subtractive versus additive bilingualism, irreversible cognitive damage (abstract thinking concepts - Piaget)
institutional, unwitting, indirect racism+ denial of racism
D.H. and Others v. Czech Republic
• first challenge to systematic racial segregation in education in Europe
• brought by 18 Roma children from Ostrava; placed in “special” remedial special schools (ss)
• complaint filed in 2000 by ERRC - intensive qualitative and quantitative research that revealed racial disparities :
D.H. and Others v. Czech Republic ERRC research results
• Over half of the Romani child population is schooled in ss;
• Over half of the population of ss is Romani; • Any randomly chosen Romani child is more than 27
times more likely to be placed in ss for the mentally disabled than a similarly situated non-Romani child.
• Even where Romani children manage to avoid the trap of placement in special schooling, they are most often schooled in substandard and predominantly Romani urban ghetto schools.
D.H. and Others v. Czech Republic – ERRC research results cont.
standardized testing – used for placement in ss.
The expert "test" seen as a stamped seal on the decisions of school directors who will not accept Romani children into mainstream schools.
second class citizenship.
markedly inferior education
vocational secondary schools limited to training in basic manual skills
unemployment rates
D.H. and Others v. Czech Republic cont
`Current educational arrangements in the Czech Republic also fail entirely to prepare ethnic Czech children for life in multi-cultural societies. In Ostrava, the Czech Republic's third city, despite the fact that Roma comprise approximately 10% of the local population, more than 15,000 Czech children of primary school age attend school every day without meeting a single Romani classmate.`
D.H. and Others v. Czech Republic cont
The 18 applicants claim that they were `subjected to degrading treatment in breach of Article 3 of the Convention, and to denial of their rights to – and racial discrimination in access to – education, in breach of Article 14 taken together with Article 2 of Protocol 1`.
What next?
Decade of Romani Inclusion in CZ- pessimism
WB +UNDP Reports: chapters on CZRevision of the Conception of Romani
Integration in CZ 2004Public policy vs public opinion:
International Romani Day 8th April, Intl Day against Racisms 21 March
