The Roma issue

An interesting testimony regarding the recent issue on Roma from a representative of the Roma community from Romania, studying now in the United States. Romani/Gypsy heritage is part of the European culture and history and we, Westerners have to be fully aware of their importance and value. Everybody is talking extensively about the problems with the Muslim communities, or the situation of religious minorities and so on. But, wait! For centuries, an important Roma community is living in Europe and we are too blind to see it but when there are becoming too visible for our diffuse view.

A proof that we, as Europeans, are self-centered not only in relation with the overseas worlds, but also in relation with our closed neighbours.

Related articles

• Romania is shirking its Roma responsibilities | Nicolae Gheorghe (guardian.co.uk)
• EU suspends Roma complaint against France (foxnews.com)
• Q+A: Who are Europe's Roma? (reuters.com)

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European cities ask EU

to be more involved in elaboration of immigration policies. This shift from the general/global level to the particular - and with an approach closer to the real situation - it is more than necessary. Immigration policies should be concerned with individuals and their needs. General policies could neglect the specifics - demographic and social aspects. Local communities are able to offer the feed-back and the information in order to reevaluate those policies according to the demands.

Muslims in Europe

The most recent report on discrimination of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights is indicating a discrimination for 31% of the Muslim population in Europe. The worrying sign of the report is the fact that many of them do not report the incidents to the police, because fear or lack of trust in the authorities. When the authorities are not trust, most likely the next stops are to isolate by the rest of the community and after to react on your own to discrimination or your own perception of it.