REPORT ON COVERAGE OF THE ROMA IN THE GREEK PRESS
June 1997
(The comments in italics are made by the GHM.)
3/6/97 Ta Nea
During the last period the taxi drivers were stressed and terrorized by
a gang of four underage Roma, who had committed several robberies. "The police were
surprised." The Roma knew all the "tricks" for a successful robbery.
"Nobody could suspect the children." They pretended to be clients in order to be
able to commit the robbery.
The reports confront the underage Roma in a hostile way, since they
regard the Roma exclusively as the ones responsible for whatever happened.
3/6/97 Apogevmatini
"Four underage Roma terrify the taxi drivers of the area of
Zefyri." During the last three days they committed 4 robberies. They presented
themselves as clients and beat the drivers in order to steal the money.
Not only does the report highlight the different identity of the
Roma, but it also uses words with a negative meaning (e.g. "terrify")
4/6/97 Ethnos
The movie director Manoussos Manoussakis will use the famous actor
Vicky Koulianou for the role of a Roma woman in the love story of his new film "Red
Dragon."
The report just refers to a new film about a Roma woman.
4/6/97 Ethnos
"Á young Roma woman was begging for money from the car drivers
holding her baby, so that the policemen would not arrest her for mendicity.” The
government must intervene in order to prevent the Roma from exercising mendacity.
Moreover, the Roma woman used to show her breast to the car drivers in order to be more
attractive.
The report is unacceptable, since it intents to humiliate the Roma
woman. It could be certainly characterized as racist.
4/6/97 Apogevmatini
The director Manoussos Manoussakis prepares a new serial for the
television. At this time, the famous director refers to the social problem of racism,
since, according to the scenario, a man in the story falls in love with a young Roma
woman, who is fighting for the non alienation of a piece of Romani land. The story gives
emphasis to the hypocrisy of a society that claims, in theory, that it is not racist.
The report makes very positive comments about this new TV film that
refers to the life of the Roma.
5/6/97 Avgi
"The Greek Helsinki Monitor and the Minority Rights Group-Greece
denounce the initiatives of many Mayors all over Greece to expel the Roma from their
settlements." In Evosmos there is a petition of the Municipality against 91 Roma
families, whereas in Kalamata there is another petition against 70 families. The worst
situation is in the area of Ano Liosia, where the Mayor destroys the houses of the Roma
under the pretext of "illegal construction." Furthermore, there is a racist wave
on behalf of the police in Trikala and in Phinikas. As for the municipal authorities of
Alikarnassos, they refuse to collect the garbage in a Roma populated area, a fact which
made a lawyer sue the Mayor.
The report is very positive, since it is based completely on the
press release of the GHM.
5/6/97 Pontiki
The Greek Helsinki Monitor denounces the actions of the Municipality of
Ano Liosia for the latter’s application of an extremely racist policy, since Roma are
submitted to persecutions on a daily basis. The restricted place where the Roma have been
transferred is called by the GHM "the Simitis ghetto." The GHM also reminds that
in the Czech Republic the extreme right-wingers have granted an award to the municipality
which will manage to expel the highest number of Roma.
The fact that the report included a part of a GHM press release is
very encouraging.
5/6/97 Ta Nea
The director Manoussos Manoussakis is preparing a new film on the love
between a Roma woman and a non-Roma man and the subsequent problems which arise from the
relationship. According to the story, both sides fight against this "forbidden"
love.
The report denounces social discrimination against Roma.
5/6/97 Eleftheros Typos
A Roma cultural festival will start in the area of Agia Varvara under
the slogan "Athens is a multicultural city. Meet the Roma!" "The festival
is an awareness campaign addressed to Greek society." According to the President of
the older Romani association, the number of the Greek Roma amounts to 5% of the whole
population. The President claims that it is not true that the Roma do not want to be
educated. The festival includes discussions on racism, a football match, exhibitions of
photographs and books, movies and a concert with the participation of Roma artists.
The report is very positive, because it contributes to the publicity
of the Romani festival and because it refers to the views of the Roma as well.
5/6/97 Ethnos
A journalist of the TV show "Yellow Press" pretended to
be a mother interested in buying a baby from the Roma, and she invited the cameras to
register the dealing and the subsequent arrest. The television intervenes into the events.
The report is not hostile to the Roma, since it criticizes the
attitude of the TV journalists.
5/6/97 Eleftheros Typos
The Roma cousin of the mother who tried to sell her baby for 2.5
mill drs. was the person who contributed to the realization of this dealing. As soon as
the Roma couple received the money, the police arrested them. "According to the
authorities, the arrested persons are just a part of a big gang." A lawyer and a
doctor have also been arrested.
The report is descriptive, without particular comments. The style
would have probably been the same even if the involved persons were non-Roma.
5/6/97 Eleftherotypia [Maria Dede]
Every group should be able to contribute to the cultural development of
Greek society. The Panhellenic Cultural Association of the Roma organized a festival in
order to emphasize the right to diversity. The Municipality of Agia Varvara, the
University of Athens and the Center for Information and Support of the Roma also took
part. According to the President of the Romani association, the content of racism is
different, since it is based on "cultural" arguments and not on
"biological" ones anymore. The Greek Helsinki Monitor denounced the fact that
Greece "celebrates" the European Year against Racism by expelling the homeless
Roma from the settlements all over Greece.
The report is excellent, because it refers to the Roma festival, and
in general, to the right to diversity in a very positive way.
6/6/97 Adesmeftos Typos [George Massavettas]
"I'm a little Roma and I would like to thank the government for
having saved me from the persons who sold me. Because of you, there is a chance for me to
go back to my natural environment and to work in the street under the supervision of a
protector. Thanks to you, I will be able to live in the conditions most Roma live
in."
This report is written in an ironic way and it seems to be an
imaginary letter of a little Roma to the mass media which revealed the network for the
selling of babies. It tries to emphasize the fact that the "saved" babies are
not so lucky, since they have to live either in a public institution or in the street, and
not in a family, which would have been much better for them.
6/6/97 Eleftheros Typos [Mary Zarkada]
The arrest of the 18-year-old Roma woman Paraskevi Liafiti, who sold
her baby for 2.5 mill drs., led to the discovery of a network for the selling of babies.
The lawyers of Thessaloniki were astonished by the fact that their colleague Mr.
Hatzialexandrou participated in this network.
The report presents the Roma as professionals who are involved in
the selling of babies on a permanent basis.
6/6/97 Ethnos
Organized Roma networks used to sell babies in Thessaloniki, with
the cooperation of lawyers and authorities. "The whole case makes a scandal."
The accused Roma were brought to the district attorney’s office. Many other Roma had
gathered outside the court room in order to express their solidarity with their friends or
relatives, and their anger at the journalists.
The report is particularly hostile, since there are only negative
comments about the Roma.
6/6/97 Exoussia [George Karaivaz and John
Tsinos]
A Roma network in northern Greece took advantage of the fervent desire
of many families in a cruel way. "The Roma couple Mitrou have sold more than twenty
babies." The Roma woman Paraskevi Liafiti is accused of "an illegal offer of a
child for adoption as an act committed on a professional basis."
The report includes expressions which are very hostile towards the
Roma, such as "taking advantage," "cruel way," etc.
6/6/97 Ta Nea
The authorities discovered a "network" for the selling of
babies. "The babies are Roma from Greece or come from countries of the ex-Soviet
Union, Albania, Bulgaria and Rumania, and are offered to families in Greece, Germany, the
USA and Sweden. A Roma couple was caught when they tried to sell the baby of their cousin
for 2.5 mill drs. After the arrest, it turned out that a lawyer from Thessaloniki was
involved in the case. The above fact caused the supervision of the President of the
Thessaloniki Bar Association, since the lawyer in question was "a person beyond any
suspicion"
The report makes an obvious discrimination as far as the Roma are
concerned, because their involvement in this trade is considered to be "natural"
and expected, whereas the involvement of the non-Roma lawyer is regarded as astonishing
and "unbelievable."
6/6/97 Adesmeftos Typos
A lawyer is involved in an international network for the selling of
babies. The policemen discovered 273 files concerning cases of adoption. The natural
parents of the adopted babies were Roma and foreigners. The Roma woman, Zoi Mitrou, who
participates in the network, was arrested in 1985 for involvement in 35 cases of illegal
adoptions.
Although the ethnocultural identity of the accused persons is
irrelevant to the whole case, the report keeps referring to it .
6/6/97 Eleftheria [Local newspaper of
Messinia]
The Municipality of Kalamata has been included in the black list of the
GHM and of MRG-Greece, according to a press release issued by these organizations. Their
reaction concerns the petition for temporary measures, which has been submitted by the
Municipality against 70 Roma families. The fact that most of them have been settled for
three years in this area proves that the use of land has not been "disturbed,"
given also that since February 1995 the Municipality itself has put buckets for the
garbage.
The report adopts an friendly attitude towards the Roma.
6/6/97 Apogevmatini
The district attorney prosecuted the lawyer Alexandros Hatzialexandrou
for his cooperation with the Roma who had been arrested on the charge of illegal dealing
concerning babies.
The report mentions the particular identity of the "Roma."
7/6/97 Adesmeftos Typos
The Roma woman, who had been arrested for participation in the selling
of her babies, declared: "I have three more children whom I cannot raise." The
23rd investigator decided to detain her in custody. The lawyer who is alleged to be the
"mastermind" of the whole network was released after paying a guarantee of 1
mill drs.
The report is very positive, because it presents the view of the
Roma woman, who tries to explain why she got involved in the trade in babies. Furthermore,
the report shows clearly the contrast between the treatment of the rich lawyer and the
treatment of the poor Roma woman on the part of the judicial authorities.
7/6/97 Eleftheros Typos
The Roma woman who tried to sell her baby was led to prison. During her
interrogation from the 23rd investigator, she declared: "What I did was for the best
of my child. Not only would this boy have lived in better conditions, but I would also
have been able to help my other three children. In the past three of my children
died."
The report is a pleasant surprise, because it gives a particular
emphasis on the views of the arrested Roma woman, so that a reader could be informed fully
and objectively.
7/6/97 Apogevmatini
The city of Thessaloniki has been turned into a center for the
selling of babies. Roma and citizens from countries of the former Eastern Bloc are
involved in this case of illegal adoptions. The Roma woman Paraskevi Liatifi said, in her
apology, that poverty and necessity for the raising of her other three children led her to
this act.
The attitude of the report towards the Roma is not aggressive, since
at least the apology of the Roma defendant is included.
7/6/97 Ta Nea
The Roma families Liatifis and Mitrou are accused of having given 68
babies for adoption. There are tapes with registered discussions over the phone which
trapped the lawyer, Mr. Hatzialexandrou. Since 1984, members of the Roma family of
Liatifis have been involved in the trade in babies. The chief of the Sub-Direction for
Security, Mr. Karagiozidis, said that "there are specific Roma families in Efvia and
Attiki who have been involved in the trade in babies, during the last twelve years"
and that "in such a case, doctors and lawyers also participate, especially in
northern Greece." According to the President of the Center of Babies MITERA, Mrs.
Soula Efthimiou, a natural mother may be vulnerable under the difficult conditions of life
and, therefore, it is easy for somebody to take advantage of her.
The report gives emphasis of the Romani identity of the defendants.
Nevertheless, it includes the views of Mrs. Efthimiou, who points out the real reasons why
the trade in babies takes place.
7/6/97 Eleftherotypia
According to the detained Roma woman Paraskevi Liatifi, she tried to
sell her 45-day-old baby in order to insure a better life for him and in an attempt to be
able to raise her other two children, and not for economic reasons. The 270 files which
were found in the office of a lawyer who allegedly participated in the trade in babies
have not been opened yet.
The report is positive, since it highlights the possible reasons why
some Roma are sometimes forced to sell their children.
8/6/97 Adesmeftos Typos
It seems that there is no hope for the Roma of Evosmos, since no
municipality or community accepts them. After a recent court decision, the Roma have to
leave their place. The Minister for Macedonia-Thrace, Mr. Peltsanikos, promised to find a
permanent solution for the 3,000 Roma, who live under very bad conditions. The President
of their Association, Mr. Georgiadis, expressed his complaint over the fact that the Roma
are not wanted in any area.
The report presents the problems of the Roma of Evosmos in a very
positive way, and calls for a solution.
8/6/97 Epohi
The Greek Helsinki Monitor and Minority Rights Group - Greece published
some important facts about the persecutions of the Roma in various areas of Greece.
"The Municipality of Ano Liosia forced the Roma to leave the old settlement and to be
transferred to a new place, which looks like a concentration camp and where the municipal
employees terrify them." The huts of 10 Roma were destroyed by the municipal
authorities on the pretext of illegal constructing. The same thing happened in Phinikas of
Thessaloniki.. The persecutions in Evosmos, in Kriti and in Kalamata are also well-known.
The report is excellent, because it shows the racist hatred on the
part of the authorities, as it is described by a detailed announcement of the GHM and MRG
- G.
8/6/97 Apogevmatini of Sunday
The 3rd Primary School of Zefyri is an example of a typical
ghetto, which leads to social exclusion. The parents of the non-Roma children do not send
their children to this school anymore, and they prefer to register them in other schools
which are far from this area. As a result, the Roma children feel the contempt of their
fellow citizens. According to the professor of Psychiatry Mr. Ballas, there is racial
prejudice in Zefyri. "The problem is that there are no special educational programs
for the schools which have Roma children." It would be much better, if non-Roma and
Roma children attended the same school, because the progress of the non-Roma children
would be a good example for the Roma children. The aggressive behavior of the Roma
children is due to their material, social and cultural insufficiency. According to the
President of the Association of the Parents in Zefyri, Mrs. Yannopoulou, the Roma children
should be scattered in all the schools of the area, so that this ghetto would be
abolished. In the beginning of the year, 327 Roma children were registered in the school,
whereas in January there were only 70 pupils. Only 25 Roma children receive a certificate
of Primary School education every year. The only positive element is the institution of
the so called "pupil’s card," which concerns the Roma families which move very
often from area to area. Mr. Ballas said that "society is full of antiracism"
and that "the antiracist concerts are useless." Finally, he said that, under the
current conditions the Roma are vulnerable, because of the people who would like to take
advantage of this situation in order to cause national problems in Greece.
Although it expresses negative views about antiracism, the whole
report contributes a lot to people’s information about the problems of the Roma.
8/6/97 Eleftherotypia of Sunday
"The fact that the Roma are involved in illegal adoptions should
not surprise the public opinion, since it is known that this social group is totally
excluded and doomed to misery." It is also worthwhile to mention that if a baby is
Roma, his/her "price" is usually lower and it amounts to 3 mill drs.
The main point of the report consists in the explanation of the
reason why some Roma resort to illegal acts.
9/6/97 Apogevmatini
The government is responsible for the existence of networks for illegal
trade in babies. The mothers who live in poverty usually choose to sell their babies
because they consider this solution to be better for the survival of the children. The
President of the Attiki Roma, Mr. Adamopoulos, said that "the Roma are the victims in
this story" and that "the government should punish those who earn millions, and
not the poor Roma woman who wants to provide a better future to her children."
The report is very positive, because it expresses sensitivity to the
problems of the Roma, and explains very well why some Roma mothers behave in an illegal
way.
10/6/97 Ethnos
The hidden camera of the journalist Makis Triantafyllopoulos revealed a
shameful social event - the rich people try to live happily by buying babies, while other
people try to ensure a better life for their children by selling them
The report is good, because it refers to the core of the whole
problem.
10/6/97 Exoussia
The first convention of the Roma took place in the area of Agia
Varvara, but there were only five Roma. Public officials and University professors
participated in this convention. "According to a survey, 65% of the pupils and 40% of
the teachers do not tolerate the Roma in the classroom. The fact that cards of
registration have not been given to Roma pupils yet was denounced.
The report is very positive, because it promotes the views of the
Panhellenic Association of the Roma and describes the convention.
11/6/97 Eleftherotypia
"The court decided that the Roma of Evosmos should leave this
area." Nevertheless, their transfer to the place of Assyros has been delayed, because
of the strong reactions of the residents of the area. According to the court decision, if
a Roma refuses to obey, she will have to pay a fine of 500,000 drs.
The report describes very well the situation in Evosmos, so that a
reader would understand why there is tension in the area
11/6/97 Eleftheria [Local newspaper of
Messinia]
The local Committee for Human Rights against Racism of Kalamata
expressed its support for the Roma of the area. Lawyers who are members of the Committee
visited their settlement in order to talk with representatives of the Roma and to provide
legal help.
The report gives important information about the activities of a
local antiracism organization.
11/6/97 Adesmeftos Typos
The Roma of Evosmos are very upset, because of the court decision which
ordered them to leave from the area where they live. No suitable place for a transfer of
these 3,000 Roma has been found yet.
The report is positive, because it holds the government responsible
for the non transfer of the Roma.
12/6/97 Exousia
The representative of the Evosmos Roma, Mr. Georgiadis, declared that
"there will be blood in the area." On the other hand, the Mayor said that
"if the Roma do not leave, the police will intervene." The court of Thessaloniki
issued a decision in favor of the Municipality of Evosmos asking the Roma to leave the
area, which caused their anger. The council of the prefecture promised to keep looking for
another place. Nevertheless, the non-Roma residents of the neighboring areas object
strongly to such a transfer of the Roma, since they do not want to live with the latter.
The Greek Helsinki Monitor, Minority Rights Group - Greece, and SOS Racism denounce the
fact that the state continues to persecute the Roma all over Greece (Ano Liosia, Trikala,
Phinikas, Kriti).
The report is very favorable to the Roma.
12/6/97 Eleftheria [Local newspaper of Messini]
The local Committee for Human Rights against Racism of Kalamata
expressed its solidarity with the Roma of the area who are tried today in the court of the
city. The Municipality of Kalamata did not keep its promises about tolerating the Roma
until a new settlement is found. The SOS Racism organization reminds that, in the past,
this Municipality had asked for funding which would contribute to better conditions of
life for the Roma.
The report is positive, since it highlights the great political and
moral responsibilities of the Municipality.
12/6/97 Eleftherotypia
Mr. Petsalnikos, Minister for Macedonia-Thrace and Mr. Agelidis,
Advisor to the Prime Minister on issues concerning the quality of life, participated in a
meeting about the problems of the Roma in Evosmos. They finally decided to look for every
possible solution, including housing in wagons from the Railway Organization (O.S.E.).
The report informs the readers about the latest news which concerns
the area of Evosmos.
13/6/97 Eleftheria (Local newspaper of
Messinia)
The trial concerning the petition of the Municipality of Kalamata
against the Roma of this area has been postponed. The new trial will be held on 29/7/97.
The Roma declared that they are willing to leave the area as soon as the Ministry of the
Environment gives them 70 mill drs, which the Prefecture had asked for, so that a piece of
land could be bought in an area called Makaria. The President of the small community
Mikromani, Mr. Skaleos, called for a "dynamic intervention" on behalf of the
authorities.
The report informs in a complete way about what happened during the
trial of the Roma.
17/6/97 Adesmeftos Typos
The courtyards are full of Roma who used to sell merchandise
without giving receipts. Nobody doubts that the Roma should pay taxes, but it is
preferable for the Tax Service to start persecuting the "big sharks," and not as
always the "small fish."
The report raises the important issue of social injustice, as far as
the Roma are concerned.
17/6/97 Ta Nea [Fotini Tsalikoglou]
In the last few days, most of the reports of the newspaper referred to
the trade in babies as a "natural event," since the Roma are involved in it. The
newspapers gave emphasis to the surprise which was caused by the involvement of a rich
lawyer in such an illegal trade, and they did not mention the fact that a society which is
based on the rules of free market economy is the one which makes the excluded Roma sell
their children.
This excellent article reminds that the press treats the Roma and
the non-Roma in a different and unequal way.
19/6/97 Apogevmatini
If someone walks down the streets of Athens, s/he can see the
contrasts which exist in the city. For example, in Kolonaki square, a few meters away from
a group of rich and happy non-Roman children who return from school along with their
parents, there are some poor Roma children begging for money.
This positive report tries to remind the readers that there are some
unacceptable contrasts around.
22/6/97 Apogevmatini of Sunday
The Roma of Dendropotamos and Evosmos worry very much, because unknown
persons asked them whether they intended to sell babies.
The report examines the issue from the point of view of the Roma.
23/6/97 Eleftheros Typos
A 13-year-old girl had a very difficult time, since she was abducted
and raped by her uncle, who afterwards abandoned her in a small village. The parents claim
that the uncle is involved in illegal activities, and that he got angry when they advised
him to stop them.
The report just quotes a fact, without making either hostile or
positive comments.
23/6/97 Exousia [A. Giourmetaki]
Secret negotiations have taken place during the last days concerning an
eventual transfer of the Roma who live in the area Yannouli. According to the information,
the Roma accepted to leave this place, as soon as they get the compensation for their
properties. Prejudice characterizes the relations between the Roma and the non-Roma.
Incidents of beating and fights in public are seen daily. Therefore, the non-Roma
residents collect money in order to accomplish the transfer of the Roma!!
The report is positive, because it criticizes the outrageous act of
the non-Roma residents of Yannouli.
23/6/97 Apogevmatini
A 13-year-old Roma girl was sexually abused by her uncle (43).
After her abduction, the girl herself went to the police station of the village of
Dendropotamos and reported her rape. As she said, her uncle had suggested to her to come
with him to buy her an ice-cream.
The report is neutral, since it refers just to the facts.
23/6/97 Adesmeftos Typos
A Roma of Thessaloniki abducted his 13-year-old niece. He abused of
her sexually, and, finally, he abandoned her. "The family of the girl lives under
very bad conditions in a small hut." The father does not have a permanent job, and
has difficulties in raising his four children, who had to stop attending school.
The report is complete and emphasizes the social problems of the
Roma.
24/6/97 Adesmeftos Typos
A concert for humanitarian reasons will take place in a theater of the
Municipality of Nikea. The famous Roma singer Vassilis Paiteris will sing, with an
orchestra consisting of traditional instruments of Romani music (uti, violi, klarino,
touberleki). The income will contribute to the development of educational activities for
teachers who teach in the Roma neighborhoods.
The report presents this musical activity in a very positive way.
24/6/97 Ethnos
The non-Roma residents of the village of Yannouli try to convince
the Roma to leave the area, by giving them the amount of 800 mill drs. as a compensation.
On the other hand, the Roma suggested that the 25 non-Roma families are the ones who
should leave, and they said that they are willing to give them 1 billion drs.
The report just refers to what happened without taking sides.
24/6/97 Exousia [Nikos Batsis]
"What happened in the village of Yannouli of Larissa reminds one
of cleansing." The non-Roma residents seem to be willing to "subsidize" the
transfer of the Roma. The fact is impressive. Last month the Union of the Policeman of
Larissa organized a convention under the title "Racism and xenophobia." I
wonder where all these people are now. The government should prevent the expulsion from
happening.
The report is very positive, because it criticizes the hostile
attitude of the non-Roma residents towards the Roma.
24/6/97 Eleftherotypia [Elizabeth
Kazalotti]
On the occasion of the recent festival of the Panhellenic Cultural
Association of the Greek Roma (which included exhibitions, discussions, films, etc), I
would like to mention the fact that it is really very difficult for the Roma to be
incorporated in society. As a result they remain marginalized. Deep inside, they feel
excluded, and they think that it is impossible for them to become a part of society. It is
characteristic that a Roma girl did not want to wear traditional Romani clothes during the
festival. Furthermore, the mass media do not pay attention to the social problems of the
Roma. They preferred to focus on the songs, the dancing and the concert, and not on the
interesting round-table discussions, which concerned grave problems, such as racism and
xenophobia.
The report is excellent, because it refers to the indifference of
the mass media, which ignored the political part of the festival and neglected the views
of Roma.
26/6/97 Eleftherotypia [Teta Papadopoulou]
The initiative of Station No 1 of the Public Radio (ERA-1) was a
pleasant surprise. It was the first time that a discussion on the radio was broadcast in
two languages (Greek and Romanes). It is worthwhile to mention that the broadcasting was a
co-production of ERA-1 and two young Roma journalists. It would be nice if there was also
a permanent emission involving the Roma.
The report is excellent, not only because it expresses a positive
opinion about the Roma, but also because it recommends a satisfying solution for the
future.
25/6/97 Eleftherotypia
The Roma of Yannouli accept to leave the area on the condition that
they receive compensation from the non-Roma residents.
The report just refers to the facts.
25/6/97 Eleftherotypia
The 43-year-old Roma, Mr. Kyriazis, was arrested and accused of having
seduced his 13-year-old niece.
The report refers to the ethnocultural identity of the defendant,
whereas this is not necessary.
26/6/97 Epohi
According to the Initiating Committee for the Support of the Romani
Population of Thessaloniki, the conditions of life in Evosmos are unacceptable (without
water and electricity). The Municipality of Evosmos had made very clear declarations
emphasizing its will to expel the Roma from the area. The Roma have lived in this place
for more than 25 years. When the value of the land was low, no one cared. After the
increase of the value, however, some non-Roma people tried, under threats, to force the
Roma to leave the area. The Municipality tries to prevent the Roma from having access to
water facilities in order to make them abandon their land. During the period that
Thessaloniki is the Cultural Capital of Europe, the fact that the Mayors of the area do
not accept the Roma is absolutely outrageous.
The report describes in detail the painful story of the Roma of
Evosmos.