GHM REPORT TO ERRC No 54: 29/3/1999

REPORT ON THE COVERAGE OF THE ROMA IN THE GREEK PRESS

FEBRUARY 1999

(Comments in italics are made by the GHM)

Contents:

1. The Center of the National Health Organization Left Without Street Children

2. Roma Pupils Unwanted in Tripolis School

3. Conference on Anti-racist Education

4. Infrastructure works at the former military barracks of Gonou start at the end of February

5. Roma barracks in Nea Zoi, Aspropyrgos Municipality, Sacked by Municipal Authorities and Police

6. Roma against Albanians following the murder of a Rom in Agia Varvara

7. Peloponisos Roma Form Federation

8. General News

9. Roma Criminality

10. Roma Culture

1. The Center of the National Health Organization Left without Street Children

* 8/2/1999: Nea, page 17

Center without Street Children

Ten out of the 53 street children who have been gathered at the Center of the National Health Organization in Agia Varvara since last December ran away, while the rest returned to their families. Ms. Andriani Kouri, a social worker who runs the Center, admits that at the beginning, the children were very frightened and uneasy. She says that the role of the Center is to make them feel better through music, painting and playing, while trying to get in contact with their families, so that the children can be sent back home. She added that another operation, with the cooperation of the police, was planned for the near future. This operation would be targeted to the 3,000 or so street children of Athens. On the other side, social worker Ms. Mirto Lemou, who runs the private Center for Support of Children and Families says that violence and compulsion do not work with the children. Her Center in Metaxourgeio has free lessons for 150 street children at times and days of their choice.

A neutral and well-balanced report on the apparent failure of the State in dealing with children who beg in the streets. The Program was inaugurated with very high expectations two months ago, but turned out to be ‘much ado about nothing.’ One is left with the feeling that the Program was meant only to soothe public opinion and to ‘clear’ the streets of beggars, rather than to really help the children incorporate into society and find a permanent and viable solution. Such a task is left to private initiatives, such as the Center for Support of Children and Families, which does not get financial support from the State.

2. Roma Pupils Unwanted in Tripolis School

* 12/2/1999: Nea, page 19

Sent Away from the Elementary School of the Thana Village in Tripolis

The residents of the Thana village strongly react against eight Roma children going to the school where non-Roma ones go. Even though the Principal of the Directorate for Elementary Education has assured them that the Roma will attend a separate class, the Thana residents insist that they go to the next village. Mr. Kodellas, Director for Primary Education of the Arcadia Prefecture, insists that the Roma continue to attend the Thana school, since there is no other school available. On the other hand, the Mayor of Tripolis, Mr. Kotsianis, says that it is possible for the Roma to start lessons at another school in the region.

Also:

* 13/2/1999: Nea, page 19: Roma Children Still Out of School

* 17/2/1999: Eksousia, page 69

The Tripolis School for Roma Children Opened Again

The school in the Agios Sostis region, where 8 Roma children were attending lessons, opened again. This followed the public outcry of the media after the decision of the Directorate for Primary Education to close the school on the grounds that it would be better for the Roma to be sent to various schools in order for them not to feel as if living in a ghetto.

* 20/2/1999: Nea, page 26

Roma Children Going to the Agios Sostis School

Yesterday 28 Roma children from the two Roma settlements near the village of Thanas had their first lesson at the Agios Sostis School. The children attended the same school last year, after the Thanas residents refused to accept them in the school of their village. Every day the pupils are transported to school by a bus hired by the Directorate for Primary Education. The teacher is very satisfied with the eagerness of the Roma kids and the President of the local Teacher’s Association estimates that they will soon need a second teacher. «If only we had water in our settlements, so that our children go to school clean and groomed,» say the parents of the small Roma.

The reports present the Roma as the victims of the racist attitudes of the residents of Thana. A positive image of the Roma is conveyed. They are eager to learn; they are good pupils, ready to incorporate into society, victims of the lack of social structure and care.

3. Conference on Anti-racist Education

* 13/2/1999: Nea, page 24

Racism Binds Together Arsenis and Tsoulias

For the first time after the latest crisis in education, the Minister of Education and the Association of Secondary School Teachers (OLME) had a warm conversation at the Conference for Anti-racist Education, co-organized by the OLME Center for Research and Documentation and the Pedagogical Institute. Pedagogic specialist, Mr. Tsiakalos, presented the ‘Filoxenia’ program, an experimental model for anti-racist education, which is based on bringing students in contact with other cultures and attitudes. The program will be tested in 22 Colleges in Greece this year.

The article stands for a multicultural and anti-racist model of education based on the principle of living together with the ‘Other’ while getting to know them and respect their differences.

4. Infrastructure works at the former military barracks of Gonou start at the end of February

* 14/2/1999: Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia, page 102

Roma Rehabilitation Is Mined

Five kilometers out of Thessaloniki, 3,500 Roma live in dreadful conditions, which can only be compared to countries in state of war. Even though it has been a year and a half since the funds for their resettlement at the former military barracks of Gonou have been approved, the procedure is seriously delayed. The assistant Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Floridis, answered to MP Ms. Alfieri that the delay was due to the possible existence of mines in the field. Mr. Triaridis from the DROM Network for Roma Social Rights hopes that this is the last excuse and points out that in the last local elections, the neighboring municipalities threatened that they would react furiously to the resettlement. The deputy president of the Doctors of the World, Mr. Boukovinas, says that the situation remains tragic, in spite of the medical center constructed by the organization and the 15 water containers, which were put by the Prefecture of Thessaloniki. Mr. Dimitras from Greek Helsinki Monitor said that the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs blamed the local authorities for the unacceptable situation at the OSCE Implementation Meeting last November. On the other side, the deputy Prefect of Thessaloniki, Mr. Kaltaveridis says that the infrastructure works are ready to begin and that the Roma would be resettled by the following summer. Mr. Frangoulis, representative of the Roma, fears that the river will overflow again, just as it was last November.

* 25/2/1999: Macedonia, page 5

Constantopoulos at Gonou

The President of the Progressive Left Coalition, Mr. Constantopoulos, along with the Prefect of Thessaloniki, Mr. Papadopoulos, visited the former military barracks of Gonou, which is under construction in order to house the Roma of the Gallikos River next summer. Mr. Sampanis, delegate of the Roma Organization ‘Macedonia,’ declared that although there are some problems related to the construction site and to the neighboring municipalities, the resettlement to the Gonou barracks is a positive step towards a permanent solution to the housing problem of 250 Roma families in the region.

* 26/2/1999: Eleftherotypia, page 9:

‘Sweet’ News

Mr. Constantopoulos offered sweets to his Rom godson at the Gallikos river and announced some ‘sweet’ news to the Roma: next August they will be settled at the former military barracks of Gonou, where a proper settlement is being constructed.

Also:

* 26/2/1999: Agelioforos, page 9

Also:

* 28/2/1999: Agelioforos tis Kyriakis, page 72

Very positive reports, supporting the resettlement of the Gallikos River Roma to an organized settlement in the barracks of Gonou.

5. Roma barracks in Nea Zoi, Aspropyrgos Municipality, Sacked by Municipal Authorities and Police

* 17/2/1999: Avgi, page 15

The Municipality of Aspropyrgos Puts Roma Settlements on Fire!

The Greek Helsinki Monitor, Doctors of the World - Greece and MP of the Progressive Left Coalition, Ms. Stella Alfieri, announced that employees of the Municipality of Aspropyrgos raided the Roma camp of the Nea Zoi region. They tore down eight barracks, and, encouraged by policemen and the Deputy Mayor of Aspropyrgos, burnt them to the ground, under the pretext that they were built illegally. «The lack of a policy for the integration of the nomads into the Greek society should not provide an excuse for violent and criminal attitudes, which endanger human lives,» says Ms. Alfieri. She adds that operations of the kind are extremely dangerous and asks for a viable solution to the housing problem of the nomads. Doctors of the World said that the Municipality had cut off water supply to the settlement three days prior to the incident. The organization also announced that they would provide blankets, food and water to the settlement.

Also:

* 17/2/1999: Vradyni, page 41: Roma Shacks in Aspropyrgos Burnt to Ashes

* 17/2/1999: Eleftherotypia, page 4

The Municipality Burnt the Roma Shacks

Since the Roma did not leave the place, as asked to do, the Municipality of Aspropyrgos burnt their shacks to the ground. The Deputy Mayor, Mr. Tsigos, explained that the Municipality had already warned the Roma to leave the place, after the owners of the field protested that the Roma were trespassing. He adds that they had to destroy and then burn the shacks, since the Roma threatened to rebuild them again.

* 19/2/1999: Avgi, page 17

Criminal and Terrorist Attack

Greek Helsinki Monitor and Minority Rights Group-Greece denounce the bluntly racist, illegal and brutal operation of state authorities in the Roma camp in Nea Zoi, Aspropyrgos. The two organizations also announced that they would take all necessary action to avoid the repetition of similar cases.

Also:

* 21/2/1999: Epohi, page 15: Fascist Raid against Roma Settlement

* 25/2/1999: Eleftherotypia, page 43

They Bring Charges against the Persecution of the Roma

MP Ms. Stella Alfieri and the NGOs Greek Helsinki Monitor, Drom Network for Roma Social Rights, Leftist Youth Association and Minority Rights Group - Greece brought charges to the Public Prosecutor against the violent and racist operation against the Roma settlement of Nea Zoi. They ask for the punishment of the offenders, so that a Greek «Crystal Night» is avoided.

* 26/2/1999: Avgi, page 5

The Municipality of Aspropyrgos Threatens the Roma Shacks Again

Yesterday the Municipality of Aspropyrgos threatened the Roma of the Nea Zoi settlement that the rest of the shacks would be destroyed tomorrow. MP Ms. Alfieri, Greek Helsinki Monitor and Doctors of the World announced that they would be on the spot to avoid the violation of the human rights of the Roma. Today, Ms. Alfieri and four NGOs brought charges to the Public Prosecutor, denouncing the violation of Article 264 of the Penal Code on arson, article 382 on damaging of property, article 190 on arousing uneasiness or terror among citizens, article 330 on unlawful duress, article 259 on violation of duty, and articles 330 and 42 on attempted violence.

* 27/2/1999: Avgi, page 5

The Roma Will Not Be Persecuted

The Mayor of Aspropyrgos assured MP Ms. Alfieri and five NGOs that he will not persecute the Roma living in his municipality in any possible way. Ms. Alfieri and representatives of the organizations visited yesterday the Roma settlement, after information that the Municipality would destroy the Roma sacks. The Roma expressed their agony about the persecutions they undergo and asked for a permanent solution to their problems. The Mayor engaged to cooperate with the organizations in a peaceful settlement of the housing problem of the Roma.

The reports adopt the position of the NGOs condemning the racist and violent operation against the Roma settlement of Nea Zoi and ask for a permanent solution to the housing problem of the Roma.

6. Roma against Albanians following the murder of a Rom in Agia Varvara

* 23/2/1999: Nea, page 41

Savage Murder of a 34-year-old Rom

The corpse of the 34-year-old Rom vendor, Nikos Dimitriou, was found yesterday. It had two bullet wounds. Dimitriou had been missing for two days.

* 24/2/1999: Apogeymatini, page 19

«We Will Be Our Own Law»

The Agia Varvara Roma barricaded streets, set fire and attacked the driver of the water truck, which arrived to put the fire off. They ask for the quick arrest of the Albanian murderers of the 34-year-old Rom, Nikos Dimitriou. «We will burn all Albanians of the region,» the Roma were shouting, while the Rom singer, Mr. Paiteris said that «every time something bad happens, Roma are always blamed; but as you can see in this case, they go out to work and they get killed.» The Mayor of Agia Varvara stood by the Roma and asked from the government to take measures to stop the rising criminality. Dimitriou was said to have been doing shady business with Albanians, who murdered him when they found out that he had deceived them.

Also:

* 24/2/1999: Vradyni, page 21: The Rom Blood Boiled

* 24/2/1999: Eleftherotypia, page 47: They Threaten to Take Revenge

The reports adopt the position of the Roma and present the story in a dramatic way. In doing so, however, they reproduce the myth that the rise in criminality is due to the presence of immigrants and turn one part of the population -the Roma- against the other -the Albanians.

7. Peloponisos Roma Form Federation

27/2/1999: Eksousia, page 68

10,000 Roma Formed a Fedaration in Tripolis

Seven Roma groups from the Prefectures of Peloponisos formed a Federation in order to urge the local authorities to make a better use of the EU funds for ameliorating the living conditions of the Roma community. The newly elected President of the Federation, 22-year-old Mr. Karahalios, wonders why the Government does not make use of the specialized programs of the European Union on poverty, professional education and housing conditions. He also made a special reference to the Roma School of Agios Sostis of Tripolis asking for its operation.

Also:

27/2/1999: Ethnos, page 19: Roma Federation in Tripolis

Positive reports on the effort of the Roma of Peloponisos to join forces in order to protect their rights.

8. General News

* 10/2/1999: Nea, page 20:

Roma Die Young

According to a survey made at the Roma community of Zefyri in Thessaloniki, the life span of the nomad Roma is 15 years below the average. In the same group, 5-6% are carriers of Hepatitis B, while the vast majority of children up to 5 years of age are infected with Hepatitis A. The rates of tuberculosis are very high among the nomad Roma in Greece. Finally, one out of four Roma does not trust doctors. The Ministry of Health launched a program on preventive medicine combined with extensive vaccinations.

The report points out the serious health problems of the nomad Roma, which result from the lack of a structured and organized policy for ameliorating their living conditions up to an acceptable and human level.

9. Roma Criminality

* 8/2/1999: Eleftherotypia, page 71

Two Roma were arrested for carrying small quantities of heroine. They were driving a car without number plates in the area of Aspropyrgos. One of them, Constantinos Vassilopoulos, was wanted by the police for not having returned to prison after his Christmas holiday.

* 11/2/1999: Vradyni, page 24

Two Roma Women Robbed a 90-year-old Lady

In all her 90 years Ms. Papadeli has never experienced such a traumatic moment, as yesterday when she was tied and robbed in her house by two Roma women. The incident is indicative of the increase of the criminality nowadays.

* 23/2/1999: Nea, page 41

Three Roma Arrested for Drugs

Three Roma were arrested in Korinthos after a long chase. They had gotten a big quantity of hashish from an Albanian who managed to escape. Two of the Roma denied responsibility. The three of them were arrested and driven to the public prosecutor.

* 26/2/1999: Ethnos, page 18

A Roma Woman Was Caught As She Was Carrying Bullets

A 23-year-old Roma woman visited her husband (sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment) in the Korydallos prison. She gave him a bag containing 36 revolver bullets hidden in a sock. The Governor of the prison had already warned that the situation was very difficult, since 1,730 prisoners occupy a space meant for 1,000 persons.

Also:

* 27/2/1999: Vradyni, page 21

Roma Woman Testifies Monday

The 23-year-old Roma woman claims that she knows nothing about the bullets, which were found in her bag by the guards of the Korydallos prison. She had claimed ignorance last year as well, when she tried to pass secretly a small amount of drugs and was arrested.

Also:

* 27/2/1999: Ethnos, page 19: Roma Woman Passed 36 Bullets in Koridallos

Neutral reports, which avoid generalizing on the basis of the isolated cases mentioned.

10. Roma Culture

* 6/2/1999: Nea, page 10

Erato Among the... Victims in the New Serial of Mega Channel

Anna Maria Papaharalampous, acting as the Rom Erato in last year’s ‘Whispers of the Heart,’ is starring in ‘Victims of Peace’ this year. Her part is of a young student who is so beautiful that... upsets the patrons of a coffee shop in Piraius.

* 7/2/1999: Nea

TV Music among the Top 50

Last year’s big success of the music of the serial ‘Whispers of the Heart’ (a love story of a Rom woman and a handsome man) is indicative of the preference of the public for TV soundtracks. This year lots of TV soundtracks are among the Greek Top 50.

* 27/2/1999: Nea, page 7

The most famous Roma Band, Romanian Taraf de Haidouks, is playing on National Television tomorrow. Modern or traditional, allegro or slow, their music is full of variety and Dionysian passion.