Anti-Roma hate crime

OSCE participating States recognized the danger of ethnic hatred targeting Roma and Sinti as early as 1990. Anti-Roma rhetoric, including that focusing on "Gypsy criminality", can be perpetuated in the media and by political actors. EU enlargement, coupled with Roma marginalization, have led many Roma individuals and families to seek better conditions and opportunities elsewhere through migration, often encountering negative reactions in destination countries or areas. ODIHR's annual reporting on hate crime has presented a range of hate crimes targeting Roma. Assault, property damage and murder, involving the use of explosives, firearms or Molotov cocktails have featured in these reports. Among the particularly worrying incidents reported to ODIHR have been arson attacks against Roma homes.

More recently, Ministerial Council decisions in Maastricht (2003), Athens (2009) and Kiev (2013), as well as the Astana declaration (2010) have reconfirmed the need to combat violence against Roma and Sinti and urged participating States to step up their efforts in this regard.

A number of factors suggest that the reported data provide only a fragment of the overall picture of hate crimes against Roma and Sinti. While some participating States record anti-Roma hate crimes, these may not be disaggregated in their statistics and, instead, be included under the heading of racist and xenophobic hate crimes. In addition excessive force against or ill-treatment of Roma, including, for example, in the course of evictions or during stop-and-search actions by the police, can contribute to a lack of trust in the authorities. This, combined with a lack of means and knowledge on the part of Roma communities to monitor and report hate crimes means that these are likely significantly under-reported.

ODIHR TANDIS

Reports

Overview of incidents reported by civil society

Attacks Against People Attacks Against Property Total
Violent Attacks Threats
44 14 29 87

International Reports

Czech Republic

In his annual report, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe expressed concern over the increased frequency of violent acts targeting Roma communities, stating that all incidences of hate crime should be investigated, including those committed by law-enforcement officials.

Hungary

In his annual report, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe expressed concern at the increased frequency of violent acts targeting Roma communities, stating that all incidences of hate crime should be investigated, including those committed by law-enforcement officials.

Norway

The UN Human Rights Council, in its Universal Periodic Review (UPR),​ recommended improving the collection of data and addressing the under-reporting of hate crimes. It also recommended providing additional resources to the Office of the Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombudsperson in order to combat discrimination and hate crime against migrant Roma.

Romania

In his report following a country visit to Romania, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe urged the authorities to properly record hate crimes and ensure that law enforcement officials and legal professionals are adequately and systematically trained to recognise, investigate and sanction crimes committed with a racist motive, which primarily affect Roma communities.

Serbia

In his report following the country visit to Serbia, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe praised the country’s efforts in the field of hate crime training for judicial officials and the adoption of the "Action Plan for the Improvement of Work and Co-operation of the Police with Representatives and Associations of Persons of Different Sexual Orientation." He expressed concern over the large number of hate crimes targeting Roma and Sinti, and noted the persistent violence against LGBT people.

Slovakia

In its report on Slovakia, the United Nations Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) raised concerns about increased violence against the Roma community and condemned violent attacks against Roma committed by law-enforcement personnel. It recommended special training on human rights and tolerance for police officers, the investigation and prosecution of all perpetrators of hate crimes against Roma, and amendments to the criminal code to increase punishments for racially motivated crimes committed by police officers.

Slovenia

The UN Human Rights Council, in its Universal Periodic Review (UPR), recommended in its report that authorities take concrete measures to prevent racially motivated crimes and increase efforts to counter racist attacks, particularly against Roma.

Ukraine

The UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues recommended that authorities ensure adequate protection of Roma communities and that any incidents of violence and intimidation be fully and speedily investigated and perpetrators prosecuted.

OSCE Region

In resolution 26/4 on the "Protection of Roma," the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) condemned the persistent manifestations of racism, intolerance and violence against Roma.

In his annual report, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe expressed concern at the increased frequency of violent acts targeting Roma communities, stating that all incidences of hate crime should be investigated, including those committed by law-enforcement officials.