United Kingdom Anti-Romanyism

1 united kingdom

1.1 england
1.2 scotland
1.3 wales
1.4 northern ireland

united kingdom

according lgbt rights organisation , charity stonewall, anti-romanyism prevalent in uk, distinction made between romani people , irish travellers (both of whom commonly known exonym gypsies in uk), , so-called travellers [and] modern gypsies . in 2008, media reported gypsies experience higher degree of racism other group in uk, including asylum-seekers. mori poll indicated third of uk residents admitted openly being prejudiced against gypsies.

thousands of retrospective planning permissions granted in britain in cases involving non-romani applicants each year, , statistics showed 90% of planning applications romanis , travellers refused local councils compared national average of 20% other applicants, disproving claims of preferential treatment favouring romanis. travellers argued root of problem many traditional stopping places had been barricaded off , legislation passed previous conservative government had criminalised community. example, removing local authorities responsibility provide sites leaves travellers no option purchase unregistered new sites themselves.

in august 2012, slovakian television network tv joj ran report cases of romani immigrant families slovakian or czech citizenship, children forcibly taken away british authorities. has sparked romani protests in towns such nottingham. authorities refused explain reasons actions slovak reporters. 1 of mothers alleged allowed visitation newborn baby in empty room; there no furniture, forced change baby s dirty nappies on floor, reflected negatively in social workers report. then, when not change diapers on subsequent occasion following experience, failure change them reflected negatively in report well. tv joj alleged in case, biological mother suffered nervous breakdown because children being taken away, seen proof not able take care them , put adoption. problem further escalated after reports slovak children put adoption either in uk or elsewhere, after british court rejected request of grandmother, living in slovakia, legal custody of grandchildren. dispute has sparked protests in front of british embassy in bratislava, protesters holding signs such britain – thief of children , stop legal kidnappers . according slovak media, on 30 romani children taken parents in britain. slovak government voiced serious concern on readiness of british authorities remove children biological parents no sound reason , further stated readiness challenge policy in front of european court of human rights.

england

in 2002 conservative party politician, , member of parliament (mp) bracknell andrew mackay stated in house of commons debate on unauthorised encampments of gypsies , other travelling groups in uk, [gypsies , travellers] scum, , use word advisedly. people these people have done not deserve same human rights decent constituents going ordinary lives . mackay subsequently left politics in 2010.

in 2005, doncaster borough council discussed in chamber review of gypsy , traveller needs , concluded gypsies , irish travellers among vulnerable , marginalised ethnic minority groups in britain.

a gypsy , traveller support centre in leeds, west yorkshire, vandalised in april 2011 in police suspect hate-crime. fire caused substantial damage centre used base support , education of gypsies , travellers in community.

scotland

the equal opportunities committee of scottish parliament in 2001 , in 2009 confirmed widespread marginalisation , discrimination persists in scottish society against gypsy , traveller groups. 2009 survey conducted scottish government concludes scottish gypsy , travellers had been largely ignored in official policies. similar survey in 2006 found discriminatory attitudes in scotland towards gypsies , travellers, , showed 37 percent of questioned unhappy if relative married gypsy or traveller while 48 percent found unacceptable if member of gypsy or traveller minorities became primary school teachers.

a report university of west of scotland found both scottish , uk governments had failed safeguard rights of roma recognized ethnic group , did not raise awareness of roma rights within uk. additionally, amnesty international report published in 2012 stated gypsy traveller groups in scotland routinely suffer widespread discrimination in society, disproportionate level of scrutiny in media. on four-month period sample 48 per cent of articles showed gypsy travellers in negative light, while 25–28 per cent of articles favourable, or of neutral viewpoint. amnesty recommended journalists adhere ethical codes of conduct when reporting on gypsy traveller populations in scotland, face fundamental human rights concerns, particularly regard health, education, housing, family life , culture.

to tackle widespread prejudices , needs of gypsy/traveller minorities, in 2011, scottish government set working party consider how best improve community relations between gypsies/travellers , scottish society. including young gypsies/travellers engage in on-line positive messages campaign, contain factually correct information on communities.

wales

in 2007 study newly formed equality , human rights commission found negative attitudes , prejudice persists against gypsy/traveller communities in wales. results showed 38 percent of questioned not accept long-term relationship with, or unhappy if close relative married or formed relationship with, gypsy traveller. furthermore, 37 percent found acceptable if member of gypsy traveller minorities became primary school teachers, lowest score of group. advertising campaign tackle prejudice in wales launched equality , human rights commission (ehrc) in 2008.

northern ireland

in june 2009, having had windows broken , deaths threats made against them, 20 romanian romani families forced homes in lisburn road, belfast, in northern ireland. 115 people, including women , children, forced seek refuge in local church hall after being attacked. later moved authorities safer location. anti-racist rally in city on 15 june support romani rights attacked youths chanting neo-nazi slogans. attacks condemned amnesty international , political leaders both unionist , nationalist traditions in northern ireland.

following arrest of 3 local youths in relation attacks, church romanis had been given shelter badly vandalised. using emergency funds , northern ireland authorities assisted of victims return romania.