ANTI-GYPSYISM

Anti-Gypsyism is a racist approach to Roma people, that is based on the idea that Roma are inferior, almost non-human, or even like wild animals. Also in this case, it is almost impossible to find a common definition for the phenomenon, but the main feature is the attempt at dehumanizing Roma people.

This has serious consequences on the lives of Roma people: they are excluded from social interactions, and are often rejected and marginalized in the community where they live. Hatred and social exclusion are often so common and repeated that many Roma try to protect themselves by hiding their roots, neglecting their culture, and renouncing their ethnic identity in the hope of being accepted by the majority.

According to the Alliance against Antigypsyism, the term antigypsyism refers to:

“A historically constructed, persistent complex of customary racism directed against social groups stigmatized as ‘Gypsies’ or other related terms, which includes:

• A homogenizing and essentializing perception and description of these groups;
• The attribution of specific characteristics to them;
• Discriminatory social structures and violent practices that emerge in this context and have a negative impact and reproduce structural disadvantages.”

Although hate speech against Roma is also present in real life, antigypsyism is today often encountered online.

“The most common narratives fall into three main themes: criminalization, welfare chauvinism, and dehumanization. Roma are mostly portrayed as marginalized, inferior citizens and as an imposed ‘threat and burden’ to the majority society.” (Minority Rights Group Europe 2020)

The European Parliament adopted a report on the “Fundamental rights aspects in Roma integration in the EU: fighting anti-Gypsyism”. The report includes the following recommendations:

Recommendations for the European Commission:

• Assess EU funding programmes and opportunities and reform the European Structural and Investment Funds to boost the fight against antigypsyism.
• Include the fight against antigypsyism in the EU strategic framework for Roma integration, with mandatory targets and indicators.
• Ensure the active participation of Roma representatives, NGOs and the European Network of Equality Bodies (Equinet) in policy-making.
• Highlight multiple and intersectional discrimination, a gender perspective and a child-sensitive approach.
• Pay particular attention to specific Roma groups (e.g. EU Roma exercising freedom of movement, citizens from non-EU or accession countries).

Recommendations for member states:

• Prepare national strategies for Roma integration after 2020 with clear priorities, binding targets, deadlines and indicators.
• Direct public policies to concrete measures against antigypsyism, including research into past and present attacks on Roma.
• Apply a "bottom-up" approach, including Roma in creating their own strategies.
• Transparently use EU funds to improve the living conditions of Roma, investigate abuses and take legal action against violators.
• Include mechanisms of truth, recognition and reconciliation to strengthen trust and strengthen social consensus.

The working definitions we provide here are derived from a review of the available literature on these topics. We accept any kind of support and suggestions from anyone willing to help us craft more fitting, all-encompassing, and precise definitions. With our work, we aim at countering hatred, and we believe that this must be a collective effort: your help is more than welcome!