Roma and Far-Right in the News
I report this because it is a slice of the new Europe, where struggle continues between state and citizenry over the definition of "criminals" and the right to determine who is a criminal. Note: Roma and Romani are two preferred terms for "Gypsies" (which is a common term they view as insulting).
From the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13206261
The context: Romani have been living in Europe since medieval times. They have never been accepted into European society, in part because of their tendency to live as nomads and not settling down. As a result they have typically earned their livings on society's margins, as part-time laborers or as musicians ("Gypsy" music has a well-deserved reputation). In some parts of Europe they were legally slaves. The differences became more accute in the 20th century as nations began supporting health, education, and social welfare programs for citizens. Many Romani tried to assimilate, taking full-time jobs and buying houses; but many Europeans believed (and still do) that Roman and Sinti prefer to be beggars, and prefer criminal activity. For these reasons, Romani were targeted during the Holocaust; between 220,000 and 1,500,000 perished. In post-1989 Eastern Europe, Romani are again becoming more obvious targets. Hungary has a large Romani population, which are targets for the growing number of Hungarian far-right-wing groups.
Hungary now has a group called Vedero ("Defensive Strength"), who have set themselves up in the town of Gyongyospata as "public order patrols" with the goal of reducing crime (caused, they say by Romani). Local police have prevented them from setting up a training camp too.
The Romani there were duly intimidated, and over Easter weekend they sent 277 people -- mostly wives and children -- out of town on a special holiday trip. Hungary's government accused them of staging this "evacuation" with the aid of the opposition political party.
Last night (Tuesday) Vedero members began throwing stones at a Roma house (I suppose they didn't think they were actually increasing crime by doing so). A fight ensued, involving dozens, and four people were injured. No word on arrests, though police reinforcements have been called in.
"The government has passed new legislation aimed at preventing paramilitary or other uniformed groups from acting like self-appointed police."
From the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13206261
The context: Romani have been living in Europe since medieval times. They have never been accepted into European society, in part because of their tendency to live as nomads and not settling down. As a result they have typically earned their livings on society's margins, as part-time laborers or as musicians ("Gypsy" music has a well-deserved reputation). In some parts of Europe they were legally slaves. The differences became more accute in the 20th century as nations began supporting health, education, and social welfare programs for citizens. Many Romani tried to assimilate, taking full-time jobs and buying houses; but many Europeans believed (and still do) that Roman and Sinti prefer to be beggars, and prefer criminal activity. For these reasons, Romani were targeted during the Holocaust; between 220,000 and 1,500,000 perished. In post-1989 Eastern Europe, Romani are again becoming more obvious targets. Hungary has a large Romani population, which are targets for the growing number of Hungarian far-right-wing groups.
Hungary now has a group called Vedero ("Defensive Strength"), who have set themselves up in the town of Gyongyospata as "public order patrols" with the goal of reducing crime (caused, they say by Romani). Local police have prevented them from setting up a training camp too.
The Romani there were duly intimidated, and over Easter weekend they sent 277 people -- mostly wives and children -- out of town on a special holiday trip. Hungary's government accused them of staging this "evacuation" with the aid of the opposition political party.
Last night (Tuesday) Vedero members began throwing stones at a Roma house (I suppose they didn't think they were actually increasing crime by doing so). A fight ensued, involving dozens, and four people were injured. No word on arrests, though police reinforcements have been called in.
"The government has passed new legislation aimed at preventing paramilitary or other uniformed groups from acting like self-appointed police."