A recent report on anti-Gypsyism in Germany shows alarming figures. The report also critically examines the role of the media. However, there have also been some small successes.
Prejudice, discrimination, racism – Sinti and Roma are particularly affected by these problems worldwide. The Anti-Egyptism Reporting and Information Center (MIA) exists to document the extent of this phenomenon in Germany.
The annual report for 2024, presented in Berlin, speaks of 1,678 recorded cases, from insults to physical attacks.
In the first report, released in 2022, the number was significantly lower at 621 cases. "The incidents documented in this report clearly show that verbal stigmatization and anti-Egyptian propaganda pave the way for discrimination and attacks, including life-threatening violence," Mehmet Daimagüler writes in the foreword.
New Federal Commissioner for Anti-Egyptism
Until recently, lawyer Daimagüler was the first German commissioner for anti-Egyptism. His successor is Michael Brand, a member of the Bundestag and State Secretary in the Ministry of Family Affairs, which supports the MIA report as part of the "Promoting Democracy!" program.
Brand takes charge in difficult times. "It is absolutely clear that, given the rise in extremism fueled both from within and from without, we must particularly protect minorities such as the Sinti and Roma from the consequences of extremism and discrimination," says Brand (CDU).
Those affected speak of an increasingly hostile atmosphere
The current report reflects this worrying trend not only statistically. People affected by antigypsyism generally report a more hostile atmosphere than before. However, the significantly higher number of cases can be explained, among other things, by growing awareness about it.
The report covers almost 70 pages and contains numerous specific descriptions of humiliating, sometimes violent, discrimination, such as this example: "A Sinti boy who is the victim of bullying at school one day after class is held by several boys, tied to a bench, beaten and filmed."
Threats and physical attacks
According to the report, the case allegedly escalated further when the boy's parents and two relatives confronted the perpetrator's parents about their children's behavior: "Some people gathered and beat the family. One Sinti's leg was broken and the other was stabbed."
According to a study, such actions are apparently repeated in kindergartens and schools. The Center for Reporting and Information on Anti-Roma Behavior sees the cause of this situation in the growing brutality of society: "MIA notes that anti-Roma statements, especially from right-wing parties, are poisoning the social climate."
The Nazis committed genocide
Romani Rose, president of the Central Council of Sinti and Roma since 1982, draws a pessimistic conclusion in the MIA report: "Unfortunately, we must admit that, despite almost fifty years of our political work in this country, the change in consciousness has only just begun."
Rose recalls the systematic extermination of his ethnic group by the National Socialists.
By the end of World War II, more than half a million Sinti and Roma had been persecuted and killed. Today, there are an estimated 80,000 to 140,000 Sinti and Roma living in Germany. Across Europe, the number is estimated to be between ten and twelve million. This makes them the largest ethnic minority on the continent.
The media often spreads stereotypes
According to the MIA report, the media also plays a role in shaping the stereotypical image of Sinti and Roma. Distorted or false portrayals are found both in private publishing houses and in public broadcasters, which are not allowed to operate for profit. Complaints about stigmatizing and untrue reporting are common.
One documented case involved alleged massive misuse of state funds: "More than 5,000 cases of social assistance fraud by fake Ukrainians" was the subtitle of a March 2024 article by the Ippen media group, whose network includes about 80 online portals. The text also appeared on numerous other portals.
Stories about suspected refugees
The text's background was stories that circulated immediately after the Russian invasion of Ukraine about people allegedly claiming to be refugees. According to the MIA report, this was a typical case of media failure:
"These anti-Gypsy narratives were directed against Roma, who were accused of entering Germany with 'fake' Ukrainian passports or of concealing dual Ukrainian-Hungarian citizenship."
The publication of the article in the Hanauer Anzeiger subsequently led to a successful complaint to the German Press Council. According to the complaint, important journalistic principles were disregarded: Instead of research and investigation, reports from other media were used as sources, and were often even exaggerated, he said. The Press Council condemned the report on three grounds: for violating journalistic due diligence, the prohibition of discrimination, and the presumption of innocence.
Recommendations for politicians
The MIA report, in its third annual review, also includes recommendations for action. MIA calls on politicians to strengthen the office for Sinti and Roma with sufficient resources and staff. The first words of the new commissioner on antigypsyism inspire hope: "Wherever discrimination occurs, it must be clearly and resolutely opposed - both by the state and by society," emphasizes Michael Brand.
He adds: "It is important for me to focus more on the many positive examples of coexistence of majority and minority society."/ DW (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
