#romarights

On April 15, 2025, authorities in Sofia, Bulgaria, demolished homes in the Zaharna Fabrika neighborhood, displacing around 200 Roma individuals, including children and the elderly. This action proceeded despite a European Court of Human Rights ruling on April 11 that ordered a halt to the demolitions until a court case concerning 14 residents was resolved. 

The demolitions have left many families sleeping in tents or under the open sky, with some seeking refuge in a nearby church. Local officials have faced criticism for downplaying the ECHR ruling and failing to provide adequate alternative accommodations.

This incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by the Roma community in Bulgaria, including forced evictions and inadequate housing solutions. Human rights organizations continue to advocate for the protection and fair treatment of Roma communities across Europe.

We are deeply saddened and outraged by the violent attack on Roma families in Stavropol during a sacred time of mourning.

This is not an isolated incident, but part of a long and painful history of systemic discrimination, police violence, and the ongoing dehumanization of our community.

Our mourning deserves respect.

Our culture deserves dignity.

Our existence deserves safety.

The European Commission, like so many institutions before it, continues to deny us our fundamental right to self-determination. They speak of inclusion, yet impose policies that keep us marginalized. They claim to protect human rights, yet refuse to recognize our sovereignty.

We see through their hypocrisy. We see the chains they have placed upon us—legal, economic, and social barriers designed to keep us in a perpetual state of dependence. But we also see the cracks in their foundation. Their system is built on a fragile illusion of unity, one that will crumble under the weight of its own contradictions.

Our path forward is clear: we will reclaim our destiny. No decree from Brussels, no bureaucratic maneuver, and no act of political coercion will silence the Roma Nation. The time for waiting is over. The time for action has begun.

The downfall of those who deny our rights is not a matter of if, but when. And when that day comes, the Roma will stand not as subjects of a broken system, but as a free and sovereign people.

🛑 Urgent Call for Addressing the Roma Situation: Time for Substantial Transformation 🛑

Over the course of numerous decades, the predicaments faced by the Roma community have been extensively recorded, and various solutions have been repeatedly put forth. Regrettably, progress in this regard has been frustratingly sluggish. The Roma issue has now evolved into an “ethno-business,” where genuine advancement is hindered by bureaucracy and the pursuit of personal gain.

Education 📚: While programs do exist, the rates of Roma students dropping out remain alarmingly high. It is imperative to provide unwavering support to Roma children to ensure their success.

Anti-Discrimination 🚫: Although laws against discrimination are in place, feeble enforcement translates to minimal changes in the everyday lives of Roma individuals.

Economic Opportunities 💼: Insufficient funding and fragmented support for job training and entrepreneurship curtail economic progress for the Roma community.

Healthcare Access 🏥: Healthcare initiatives frequently fall short, leaving many Roma individuals without access to vital services.

Housing 🏡: Despite efforts being made, numerous Roma families continue to reside in substandard conditions, facing recurrent discrimination and evictions.

Political Participation 🗳️: Genuine representation for the Roma community is a rarity, with tokenism often replacing authentic political empowerment.

Cultural Preservation 🎨: The Roma culture is undervalued and lacks adequate funding, thereby endangering the preservation of their rich heritage.

International Cooperation 🌍: Pledges made by international organizations often remain unfulfilled due to the absence of a cohesive strategy.

The exclusion of many of Europe’s 12 million Roma from political and public life is one of the worst cases of disenfranchisement in the world today. No solutions to the critical problems Roma face in housing, health, education and employment will be lasting until this changes. Check out Open Society's new project: Roma in Political Life to find out more. 

Don't know who the Roma are? Hear their story.