Hard Times and Hardening Attitudes: The Economic Downturn and the Rise of Violence Against Roma

Hostility and violence against Europe's 10 million Roma is at the highest level in over a decade.  Last month, Roma homes were firebombed and parents and children killed. Public demonstrations by racist groups have attracted growing crowds.  The Romani population has recently been victim of acts of violence, discrimination, and political scapegoating in Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. 

The Helsinki Commission, a U.S. governmental body focused on security and cooperation with Europe, will examine the recent increase in violence and discrimination against Romanis in Europe. The briefing, "Hard Times and Hardening Attitudes: The Economic Downturn and the Rise of Violence Against Roma" will include testimony by Isabela Mihalache from the Open Society Institute Roma Initiatives.

Speakers

• Katalin Barsony (Hungary), sociologist, filmmaker and project manager at the Budapest-based Roma NGO Romedia Foundation
• Stanislav Daniel (Slovakia), Research Consultant, European Roma Rights Center
• Isabela Mihalache (Romania), Senior Program Manager, Roma Initiatives, Open Society Institute (OSI)
• Andrzej Mirga, Advisor on Romani Issues, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Location

U.S. House of Representatives
Longworth Building, Room 1539

Further Details

For more information, see the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) website.