A workshop on discrimination against Roma people in eastern Europe heard shocking reports.
In Hungary armed paramilitaries linked to the fascist Jobbik party attack Roma people. The governing Fidesz party works closely with Jobbik.
Florina Zoltan, a Roma campaigner, said, “Racists are always invisibly supported by state institutions.”
The unemployment rate among Roma is over 70 percent. They are segregated into different schools and face discrimination when applying for jobs.
Ladislav Balas fled to Britain in 1998. Nazis had attacked his brother-in-law’s 16 year old son, leaving him brain damaged. Police treated the attack as “just a dispute between neighbours”.
He appealed to UAF members, “Join with us and stop Nazis everywhere, not just in this country.”
A movement from below is urgently needed to challenge a system that uses racism to divide us.