GREEK HELSINKI MONITOR

GHM REPORT TO ERRC No 68: 11/10/1999

SEPTEMBER 1999

(Comments in italics are made by the GHM)

Contents

1) Reactions to the OSCE report by the Greek press.

2) The impact of the magnitute-5.9 earthquake in Athens on the Roma population in the areas close to the epicenter. Racist statements by the Mayor of Zefyri, coverage by the press.

3) Roma in Kosovo.

4) Programs for the Roma.

5) General topics (A belated Roma marriage, Self-managed camp in the former military barracks of Gonou).

 

1.) Reactions to the OSCE report* by the Greek press

*The report is available at the following Internet addresses:

http://www.greekhelsinki.gr/english/reports/osce-roma-sept-99.html

7/8/1999: Eleftherotypia, [Ioana Sotirhu], p. 18

Tell Me Lies, Tell Me Big, Big Lies

The findings of three governmental organizations, as presented at the latest OSCE Implementation Meeting, show that Roma in Greece are a marginalized and persecuted group. Despite the ambitious plans and announcements, so far the Roma have seen nothing but broken promises. Reportedly, five Roma camps have been evicted in the last few years, nine are threatened with eviction, five are destitute and three are official “ghettos.” Even Roma who were included in some university educational programs did not escape eviction. In most cases, evictions are taking place in the district of Athens and are attributed to the forthcoming Olympic Games and the need to reconstruct the wider area.

A very positive report, summarizing the main parts of the findings of the Greek Helsinki Monitor, Minority Rights Group-Greece and Doctors of the World presented to the OSCE meeting.

Also on the same subject:

8/9/1999: Stohos, p. 4 and 6.

New Report on the Living Conditions of the Roma and Accusations Against Greece

The well-known organizations Greek Helsinki Monitor, Minority Rights Group-Greece and Doctors of the World presented a report to the OCSE on the situation of the Greek Roma tent-dwellers. As expected, this report makes reference to the “ill-treatment” of the Roma by the Greek state. It is worthwhile mentioning that the organizations refer to the Roma as if they were a minority. Here we publish the whole text of the organizations’ report, so that the readers draw their own conclusions.

Stohos is a nationalist paper, which has attacked Greek Helsinki Monitor and Minority Rights Group-Greece on numerous occasions, due to their public statements, reports and press releases on human and minority rights violations in Greece. The report is negative even though not reaching the utmost “hate speech” that Stohos is capable of producing. Moreover, ironically enough, this is the only newspaper that uses the term “Roma” instead of “Tsigani” and, even more importantly, reprints the extensive report in whole. Last but not least, despite its marginal audience, Stohos has a substantial circulation.

On the parliamentary question following the publication of the report to the OSCE:

8/9/1999: Avgi, p. 24

How Long Will They Wait?

Progressive Left Coalition deputy, Maria Damanakis, brought to the attention of the Greek Parliament and, in particular, of the Minister of the Interior, Ms. V. Papandreou, the report of three non-governmental organizations (Doctors of the World, Minority Rights Group-Greece and Greek Helsinki Monitor). The report deals with the status of the Roma in Greece (housing, education, police brutality and health issues). The main question that the deputy addressed to Ms. Papandreou was whether she was planning to introduce to Parliament the existing draft law on self-managed Roma camps. How long will the Roma have to wait?

A report with positive comments on the deputy’s initiative and the issue of Roma rights itself. The NGOs’ concern with the fate of the Roma was considered to be very timely, especially after the last damaging earthquake in Athens. The reporter, through her questions and the invocation of sympathy for the Roma both in the title and the concluding sentence, creates the impression of emergency, countered by state indifference and inertia. Regardless of the fact that it is short, the report is very positive.

Also on the same subject:

8/9/1999: Eleftherotypia [Ioana Sotirhu], p. 9

For the Tsigani

What will be the measures taken for each case reported to the OSCE? When will the Minister of the Interior, Ms. V. Papandreou, introduce the draft law on the creation of self-managed camps for the Roma in Greece? These were the two questions addressed to the Minister of the Interior by the Coalition MP Maria Damanakis on September 7, 1999. The questions were provoked by the GHM, MRG-G and DW common report to the OSCE on the Roma in Greece. This very report addressed the inertia and the lack of good will on the part of the government for three years now, despite the 1996 promises and announcements. Let us hope that from now on, the interest of the Greek state will be expressed in something more than a paper…

The report is similar to the Avgi one and covers the question in the same light.

2.) The impact of the magnitude-5.9 earthquake in Athens on the Roma population in the areas close to the epicenter. The “exclusive” attitude of the society and the authorities.

11/9/99 (13:10): Associated Press [Elena Becatoros]

(full text)

Gypsy Community in Greece Feels Pushed Further Aside in Quake Aftermath”

ATHENS, Greece (AP) They find shelter beneath plastic sheeting or in trucks parked near their cracked, leaning homes. They say they can’t even get tents because of rumors that they’re selling them in a roaring black-market trade. The Gypsies of Ano Liosia, one of the poorest areas around Athens, say Tuesday’s earthquake, which killed more than 100 people, has pushed them even further to the margins of Greek society. While people of all backgrounds rallied together amid the quake’s wreckage, Gypsies say they were generally regarded with suspicion. Some of their neighbors openly derided Gypsies as thieves and swindlers. Vying for the attention of relief coordinators, Gypsies say they felt mute and ignored. “We don’t count for them. We’re not Greeks to them,” said a Gypsy woman, Vasiliki Dalipis.

Gypsies who often prefer to be called Roma are marginalized in Greece, where only recently have immigrants begun to gain any acceptance. Stereotypes of the Roma that they are petty thieves, beggars and general lawbreakers are rarely challenged by local media or public officials. Ano Liosia’s deputy mayor insists there is no discrimination in assistance provided to its nearly 1,000-member Gypsy community, which rarely mingles with the mainstream Greek population. Although some Gypsies still maintain a traditional nomadic lifestyle, many of Greece’s estimated 160,000 to 200,000 Gypsies have settled into permanent communities such as Ano Liosia, about 10 miles northwest of central Athens and close to the quake epicenter. Gypsies who settle in some communities get some government assistance and access to authorities. But critics call the assistance attempts at isolating the group.

An old woman sat on the damp ground outside her condemned house, a bandagearound her foot. Young children played in the grass nearby. “They said they would bring us tents, but they still haven’t come,” said her son, Giorgos Tsakiris. “They said the Gypsies take the tents and sell them. But we didn’t do anything like that. Look at where we’re living.”

The only shelter they have from the rain is the back of his small truck, now lined with carpets salvaged from his quake-battered home. Even at an aid distribution point in the shadow of a large church under construction, resentment and fear of the Gypsies were apparent. “Look at what we’ve come to,” a woman with tears in her eyes as she waited for food and water said on condition of anonymity. “We were homemakers, and now we’re waiting for handouts along with the Gypsies.”

But other problems soon surfaced among the group of largely Gypsies. Some grabbed loaves of bread and sandwiches by the armload; others got nothing. “Leave something for the others. You can’t possibly need all that bread!” Kyriaki Kondopidis yelled at one group of men. She and her husband tried to ensure that the food was distributed fairly.

Just then, a pickup truck skidded to a halt. A young Gypsy woman jumped out, filled her arms with loaves of bread and left with two bottles of water as well. The Gypsies were cursed as they left.

In the days since the deadly magnitude-5.9 quake, reports have abounded that scores of tents and other aid were carried off and sold for exorbitant prices on the black market or hoarded in case of another quake. “There have been incidents of disorder or even looting,” said government spokesman Dimitris Reppas. “Many took tents which they won’t even use.

Some will use them later for a different purpose. Others may sell them.” The government has said it will no longer give tents to individuals, and is providing shelter in hotel rooms, cruise ships and camps in stadiums.

“Although we have at our disposal a large number of beds and areas, they are not being used to the extend which they could be, exactly because everyone prefers to remain in their neighborhood,” Reppas said.

But many of the local Gypsies say they were never told they had such options.

A very positive report, one of the few to counterbalance the abundant TV reports about alleged robberies of tents and food supplies for the earthquake victims committed by the Roma.

Also on the same subject:

14/9/1999: Eleftherotypia [Nadia Yaniri], p. 53

Second Category Victims of the Earthquake

The Roma in Zefyri are complaining about the lack of interest of the authorities regarding their housing problems following the earthquake. The majority of the Roma cannot go back to their homes, which suffered severe damages from the magnitute-5.9 earthquake. Not only did the Roma get a smaller number of tents than necessary, they were also collectively accused by local residents and the mayor of Zefyri of stealing and selling tents on the black market. Roma admit that there are thieves among them, but in no way can they accept the collective defaming label. Moreover, they argue that it is not only the Roma who resort to unlawful acts. What about the others, the non-Roma? Aren’t there people who steal among them? Many of the interviewed Roma have sick people in their families and are still waiting for the necessary document by the experts in order to seek compensation from the state for their ruined property. “Gypsy stories [Gyftikes/Gypsy in Greek is pejorative]. Do not bother me more with the Tsigani. Because of them, the aid mechanism is inefficient. They have been robbing the whole world” (the Eleftherotypia daily 14/9/99, p.53).

A very positive report, one of the few that tried to bring into the limelight the problems of the Roma provoked by the earthquake as well as the discriminatory and racist treatment they get from the authorities. In addition, the reporter made an earnest effort to highlight the easiness with which mainstream society creates, enforces, and recycles stereotypes, makes hasty and harmful generalizations and throws accusations at whole groups of people, rather than at the individual at fault.

12/9/1999: Avgi

The Mayor of Zefyri made similar racist statements when asked about the efficiency of the aid mechanism set up in his municipality:

“I think that we should be particularly satisfied with the mobilization of the municipality of Zefyri. We all have been working around the clock. We only faced problems with the Tsigani, who looted tents, made business by selling them, engaged in fights with the citizens of the municipality, walloped municipal employees and created enough problems with the aid distribution. We were forced to bring the Special Police Forces to help us do our job.”

18/9/1999: Eleftherotypia, p. 49

A joint press release by the Doctors of the World, DROM Network for Roma Social Rights, Greek Helsinki Monitor and Minority Rights Group, denounced the aforementioned statements. Shortly afterwards, the Mayor of Zefyri contacted Eleftherotypia, protesting that he had been misquoted by the reporter, Ms. Yaniri and that he had anything but the intention to insult the Roma collectively. Mr. Zervas explained that he had referred only to the Roma who appointed themselves presidents of the Roma and who did nothing but systematically complain in public, so that they legitimize their presence and role.

Ms. Yaniri expressed her delight at the retraction of the statement. She commended people of authority who, having insulted a whole group of people even unintentionally, publicly retract their statements and admit their mistake. The reporter also expressed the view that in any case the sincerity and goodwill of this retraction can be evaluated only in practice. Moreover, she attributed the retraction to the relevant press release issued by the non-governmental organizations. As far as the alleged misquotation of the Mayor’s statements was concerned, Ms. Yaniri claimed that there was nothing like that. She argued that she had insisted on taking an appropriate answer by the Mayor who restricted himself in simply stating: “Gypsy stories. This is enough.” With a slight tone of irony she ended her counter-response by stating that she had only regretted the omission of the Mayor’s last phrase: “For meeting the needs of more or less everybody, I distributed around 850 tents. The Tsigani (Roma) are only 15% of the population.”

On September 20, the Greek Helsinki Monitor, Minority Rights Group-Greece, Doctors of the World and DROM Network for Roma Social Rights wrote a letter to Eleftherotypia (addressed to the director and the reporter herself) arguing that the Mayor of Zefyri should not be allowed to argue that he had been misquoted since he never bothered to retract similar statements made in Avgi several days prior to that (on September 12, 1999). The letter was never published. The issue was also brought before the OSCE and, through the response of the Greek delegation, Mr. Zervas was forced to proceed to a second retraction, pleading misquotation again. In addition, he expressed his “sincere regret for the pain his statement has caused” and invoked his “active participation in the Administrative Council of the Roma Network of Greece and fruitful cooperation with the Roma.”

16/6/1999: ERA (National Radio)

Elpida Efthimiatos, member of the non-governmental organization Doctors of the World, was asked to give an interview for the ERA National Radio and comment on the recent racist statements made by the Mayor of Zefyri. On September 14, 1999 Greek Helsinki Monitor, Minority Rights-Group, DROM Network for Roma Social Rights and Doctors of the World had issued a common press release on the matter, highlighting the racist nature of the statements which constituted group libel. They breached international law, especially the provisions regarding the presumption of innocence and those forbidding all kinds of discrimination. Ms. Efthimiatos made reference to the statements arguing that everybody is innocent until proven guilty and not vice versa. For some people, journalists and politicians alike, the Roma are usually guilty until proven innocent! Since the allegations have not been substantiated in any way, they should not be made in public, attributing collective labels to a group of people with its cultural specificity, a group, which also suffers from the earthquake, at least as much as the others, if not more than that. People have lost their property and the least they would need are groundless rumors, allegations and accusations. She also made an impressive comparison with the Mayor of Menidi (a municipality close to Zefyri, also in the west part of Athens) regarding the problematic distribution of tents and food. “Nobody claimed that the Mayor is keeping the tents for himself to make business by selling them or giving them only to his voters! As much as it is true that nobody should throw such unsubstantiated accusations at a Mayor, nobody should say anything of this kind about the Roma either. It may be true that some Roma have stolen some tents, it may also be true that the Mayor did the same in his way. It may be true that they are all innocent. We cannot talk arbitrarily about nobody and nothing. Our organizations are extremely surprised at the instant mobilization of the Greek state to help the earthquake victims by establishing organized camps with full infrastructure and trying to find sites for their new homes. We have been trying to achieve the same for the Roma for so many years without any remarkable results. Why is this the case?”

On the same day, Eleftherotypia also made a reference to the same press release.

Both reports were very positive.

21/9/1999: Eleftherotypia, p. 48

An Open Letter on the Tsigani

Also: Avgi, p. 24

Is There Any Difference among Tent-dwellers?

Both papers made extensive reference to the open letter of five non-governmental organizations to the Greek Prime Minister, C. Simitis. Doctors of the World, DROM Network for Roma Social Rights, European Roma Rights Center, Greek Helsinki Monitor and Minority Rights Group-Greece drew parallels between the situation of the homeless earthquake victims and the Roma tent-dwellers, asking the government to take all necessary measures to start solving the housing problems of the Roma, together with those of the quake-stricken citizens. In any case, it is high time the government finally implemented its 1996 announcement.

Both reports are positive. They present excerpts of the letter to stress the points of the five NGOs. Avgi explicitly endorses the initiative, while Eleftherotypia restricts itself in simply giving the appropriate quotations without any further comments.

15/9/1999: Eleftherotypia [G. Dama], p. 48

Muslims: That Is Their Chance to Kick Us Out

The Muslim families who arrived in Athens from Western Thrace some years ago settled down in the wider area of Gazi (in downtown Athens) in some of the oldest neighborhoods with the oldest houses in town. Right now they live in makeshift tents in the open air. Their already dilapidated homes were severely damaged by the earthquake. They are afraid that the owners will use this as an opportunity to kick them out of the region. The first signs were not encouraging. Rents in Athens are already high and are expected to rise even more, due to the overall housing crisis in the city. The possibility for the Muslims to move to other (more expensive) areas is rather distant, as they cannot afford it. Moreover, the owners seem unwilling to invest money in fixing these old houses. The cost will be high and the chances to make good business limited. The Muslims, among them many Roma, complain that the competent authorities did not show any sincere interest in them. Left Coalition Deputy, M. Damanakis, brought the issue before the Municipality Council, asking for equal treatment in the distribution of aid. Tents will be distributed and chemical toilets are also expected to arrive within a few days. The question remains: Will the Muslims be forced to leave the place eventually?

The report is very sympathetic to the Muslim quake-stricken population of Gazi. It should be kept in mind that in their majority, the 400 Muslim residents of Gazi -even those who identify themselves as Turks or simply as Muslims- are Roma. The report mentions the presence of Roma in the area, commenting that they seem to be more at ease with the situation.

24/9/1999: Avgi, p: 24

Progressive Left Coalition deputy, Mustafa Mustafa, paid a visit to the earthquake victims of Gazi. The latter is one of the oldest districts in central Athens where, for the last two decades, many Muslims from Western Thrace have settled down permanently in search of a more prosperous future. After the earthquake many of the old and dilapidated rented houses were severely damaged. Experts say that the majority of them would have to be razed to the ground. Many families have moved to live in tents in a camp in the nearby park. There are only two toilets there, which are absolutely insufficient to meet the everyday needs of so many people. Moreover, apart from their social marginalization and the problems caused by the earthquake, the Muslims in Gazi are also faced with the lack of reliable information regarding their rights as quake-stricken citizens. They are not informed about the possibilities of getting compensation by the state and the necessary bureaucratic procedures needed to be completed.

A positive report on one of the most neglected groups of quake-stricken citizens and residents of Athens. Although in their majority the Muslims in Gazi tend to identify themselves as Turks or simply as Muslims, they are Roma, facing similar problems of poverty, illiteracy and social exclusion as the rest of the Roma population in Athens and all over Greece.

27/9/1999: Macedonian Press Agency

The President of New Democracy (the conservative opposition party), K. Karamanlis and the mayor of Athens, D. Avramopoulos, visited the earthquake victims in Gazi. Over the last few days, the municipality has distributed tents, medical aid and food supplies. The two politicians expressed their common interest in problems of social character. Mr. Karamanlis in particular stressed that “all Greek citizens, regardless of their religion, financial position and sex are equal.”

A neutral report, simply referring to the visit, indirectly suggesting that the municipal authorities and the political party in question treat the Muslim residents of the area in an impartial way.

3.) Roma in Kosovo

5/9/1999: Eleftherotypia [T. Diamantis], p: 28

The Cameras Forgot Them

The Tsigani (Roma) are still fleeing from Kosovo to save their lives. This time because of the Albanians who have turned against everyone but themselves. The Serbs were the first to become victims of the Albanians’ intolerance and vindictiveness. The Croats, Muslims, and Turks -unless they publicly identify themselves as Albanians- fill in the list. The Roma are a peculiar case because, apart from the evictions they are also threatened with physical extermination. The Albanians see the Roma as collaborators of the Serbs and believe that the Roma should be treated in the same way as the Serbs. Thus, the Roma are forced to leave their country and to flee to neighboring states. This time around, things are much different from what they used to be when the Albanians were fleeing to other countries to escape from the Serbian regime. There are no cameras waiting for the Roma at the border crossings and no one reports stories of ethnic cleansing, cold-blooded murders, rapes, and massive graves. Even the UN High Commissioner is now in Pristina working on the re-establishment of the Albanian returnees. No one really cares about the Roma in Kosovo or outside Kosovo, in the countries where they have found temporary refuge. Not long ago tens of Roma were drowned in the Adriatic Sea on a boat bound on its illegal route to Italy, which was sunk.

The 30-year-old Roma, Tahir Gara, is now living in Macedonia. He has proclaimed himself spokesperson and leader of the Kosovo Roma refugees who have settled there for the time being. According to him, the Roma had no particular problems with either the Serbs, or the Albanians as neither of them ever expressed any serious interest in the Roma. In Kosovo, there are quite a few groups of Roma: Albanian Roma, Egyptians who are Roma by origin but speak Albanian, ethnic Roma who speak Romanes and two groups of Christian Roma, Orthodox and Catholic (the latter are the end product of the Croat influence in the region). However, the Albanians chase all Roma indiscriminately.

A positive report, bringing the tragedy of the Roma in Kosovo into the limelight. However, it should be stated that such reports are written primarily to show the “hypocrisy” and “vindictiveness” of the Albanians who all along the protracted Yugoslav crisis have been portrayed by the Greek media as troublemakers, rather than as victims of human rights violations. The motive in the case of these reports is related much less to the desire to indicate the double tragedy of the Roma and more to legitimize the anti-Albanian and pro-Serbian public feelings in Greece. That is why the problems of the Roma in Greece usually do not touch the majority of the Greek reporters, with some exceptions mainly in Eleftherotypia.

Also on the same subject:

12/9/1999: Epohi [Pierre Barbancais], p: 13

Pogrom Against the Tsigani (Roma)

Out of the 500 Roma families, living in Kosovo before the war, only 15 have stayed behind. Most of the others left out of fear of the Albanians who, as soon as they got control over the province, started putting pressure on the rest of the people, mainly on the Serbs and the Roma, whom they treat as Serbian partners and allies. In reality, international presence in the area cannot do much to protect these people from the vindictiveness of the Albanians. The Roma who have returned to Kosovo found their homes occupied by Albanians. This is true for those who still have property in Kosovo. The majority of the Roma experienced the burning and looting of their houses in the course of the crisis. People are threatened with eviction and physical extermination. Others have lost their jobs because they do not speak Albanian. Roma are in a difficult situation as Albanians treat them as pro-Serbian. Egyptians -Gypsies originating from Egypt who, through the years, have converted to Islam and adopted the Albanian language- are not an exception either. They too are threatened with eviction and physical extermination on the basis of their ethnicity: they are being pressured to deny their ethnicity and identify as Albanians. Many of them have already been victims of the paramilitary Serbian troops but the Albanians do not believe their stories. Even if people have contributed to the financial support of the KLA, this makes no difference to their persecutors. International presence is so close to them but does nothing to prevent their persecution. One more Roma/Egyptian house was set on fire only a few days ago. It was next to the KFOR headquarters.

Fear Has Become Their Everyday Reality

(Original report from the French daily L’ Humanite under the title: “Kosovo Is Less Multicultural Than Ever Before,” published in Epohi, 12/9/99).

Out of the 200,000 Serbs residents from the pre-war period, only 30,000 have stayed behind in Kosovo. Nowadays there are only 400-500 Serbs in Pristina, whereas in the past they were 30,000 to 40,000 Serbs in the capital of Kosovo. A block of flats, in which live 24 Serbian families is the only such block in a neighborhood dominated by Albanians. Its residents have not been out of their homes since July 14. Four military cars and over 30 men are constantly supervising the building to secure the lives of the Serbian residents. By the time one area is put under KFOR control, another one escapes from its attention: threats, looting and brutality come as a natural follow-up. KFOR claims that it cannot afford to have one soldier for each Serb civilian, even though soldiers in Kosovo are 50,000 and Serbs are 30,000!

Positive reports, following the very same line of the other report covering the “dangerous” side of the Albanians, thus feeding the pro-Serbian and anti-Albanian feelings of the Greek public.

4.) Programs for the Roma

June 1999, monthly magazine Vimata Zois (Steps of Life), issue No. 1, p. 9-14

Roma and Pomaks have been included together, or separately, in programs against their exclusion from the labor market.

Three of the aforementioned programs are for Pomaks and Roma and concern alternative ecological agriculture, water cultivation, fishing and management of small enterprises (15, 13, 15 participants respectively).

26 are exclusively for the Roma and include a variety of activities: music, tourism, agriculture, floriculture, jewelry, smithery, collection of recyclable material, literacy and many others.

21 of them cover the province and eight - the district of Athens. The majority of these programs are for 15 people and the hours of instruction vary according to the nature of each activity.

A neutral report, simply presenting the list of the available programs per district, the coordinates of the institution in charge and the hours of instruction. The only comment made by the reporter is that these programs reflect the new philosophy of the Ministry of Labor in respect to its aims and objectives: namely that certain sensitive categories of people should not be encouraged to develop skills exclusively in traditional jobs.

The same source also covered in a two-page report the latest news regarding the creation of the Panhellenic Federation of Associations of Greek Roma. The report presented an overview of the efforts prior to the establishment of the Federation and the positive statements made by the Minister of the Interior, V. Papandreou and the mayor of Agia Varvara, M. Lambros, following the event. Ms. Papandreou expressed her satisfaction because the Greek state at last acquired reliable partners ready to contribute together with the government and the local authorities to the improvement of the standards of living of the Greek Roma and the promotion of their rights, so that the Roma achieve the position they deserve in Greek society. The report ended with the statements of the first elected president of the Federation, Mr. M. Randis, who put emphasis on the positive efforts made by the state with a view to facilitate the inclusion of the Roma into the mainstream society. According to Mr. Randis, one of the primary concerns of the Federation would be the registration and categorization of the problems of the Roma all over Greece.

A neutral to positive report, in favor of the initiative and the efforts made by the Roma to organize themselves.

After the item on the formation of the Federation the magazine presented a detailed report on a new program in Agia Varvara, concerning Roma mediators, starting from June 1999 until the end of the same year. The program is addressed to young Roma, namely high school graduates, who are to be trained to take the role of mediators between the state and the Roma community. The primary goal of the program is the formation of Roma people acquainted with the bureaucracy and the state mechanisms who would be able to work for the various existing centers for the Roma and provide assistance and information to their communities.

The magazine also covered a special conference held in Greece and exploring the professional future of the Roma in Greece and other European countries (Spain and Portugal). The event had the title “Roma in the 2000 Labor Market.” It addressed mainly the already started initiatives in the aforementioned countries with a view to increase the chances of the Roma for a better future. The establishment of several centers for the Roma was highlighted by the Greek participants (experts, representatives of the local authorities and of the Roma). Another important field for development could be found in the programs for mediators and Roma musicians that are to be implemented soon. On the transnational level, the creation of a web site with databases about the Roma populations of all three countries was agreed upon. Apart from that the creation of a unique guide with instructions for potential Roma mediators was also launched.

Positive reports in favor of the initiatives.

5.) General topics

A belated Roma marriage in Pyrgos (Peloponese)

8/9/1999 Eleftherotypia [Makis Nodaros], p. 6

Their Seven Children Are Their Bridesmaids and Their Best Men

A couple of Tsigani (Roma), already with seven children, legalized their relationship by getting married. The couple has been living in the town of Pyrgos (Peloponese) for 14 years in a small and humble house at the outskirts of the town. The marriage finally took place and was the result of an initiative taken by a 90-year-old non-Roma owner of a neighboring taverna (traditional Greek restaurant). The tavern owner was also the best man who took care of the necessary bureaucratic procedure and covered the expenses of the ceremony. On the occasion of the marriage, the couple also baptized their youngest child - one-year-old Nikos. What made the 90-year-old man stand by the couple and marry them was their touching confession some days before the marriage took place. “Last week, I was preparing cod when the couple came to my restaurant. I served them food and, while talking to me, they revealed that, despite their 14-year-long common life, despite their seven children, they were not married. They attributed this to the difficulty in finding someone who would marry them. I have no idea why, but I was very much moved by their story and decided to help them. The problem of the children was soon arranged and the Bishopry gave its consent to the marriage. That is how I became their best man.” He also explained the difficult economic problems of the family and protested against the treatment the Roma father had gotten by the local police: “They are honest people. For years, they have been fighting on a daily basis to raise their children. All Vangelis wants is a working permit as street vendor. I hope that with my help he will soon get it. I am determined to provide some financial support to them. Please, write down that the police should finally stop chasing this wretched man with seven kids. They have driven him crazy with their lawsuits because he goes to the open markets and sells without a permit. How can he provide the living for his family, though?”

A very positive report, indirectly fighting two stereotypes, one social and one cultural. The first stereotype -of social nature- is that it is not marriage that makes two people stay together and raise children but a very deep inner sense of commitment. The second, and more important stereotype -of cultural nature- is that Roma do not avoid the mainstream ritual of marriage and christening because they are bored, uninterested or lazy to deal with bureaucracy and formalities. Sometimes they lack the means for the ceremony or the possibility to follow the bureaucratic procedures mainly because of their illiteracy.

26/9/1999: Agelioforos tis Kyriakis [V. Peklaris], p: 41

Fight over the Plots of Land

The works in the former military barracks of Gonou are almost to their end. Roma campers, still residing in the drained bed of the Gallikos River, will be transferred to the new settlement by the end of October. However, another serious problem emerged with the distribution of the land. Who will get a plot in the self-managed camp of Gonou? The area of the former barracks is about 150 acres, enough to accommodate 248 families. According to Mr. Sabanis, secretary of the Association of Roma of Evosmos and an active member of the union in charge of managing the camp, so far 174 Roma families have made petitions for land distribution in Gonou. 74 petitions are still missing mainly because the families are away from Thessaloniki in search of seasonal work. The problem, according to the same source, lies in the fact that Roma families, possessing property in other parts of Greece, want to be included in the list of potential beneficiaries. Local Roma try to keep the land exclusively for the former residents of Evosmos and the families who are now living in the Gallikos River. Mr. Kaltaverides, Vice-Prefect of Thessaloniki, agrees with Mr. Sabanis, claiming that the competent committee (consisting of representatives of the Roma, members of non-governmental organizations and employees of the Prefecture) will decide on the beneficiaries. The Roma in the Gallikos River still do not believe that they will get rid of their misery and the rats around them by the end of October. They have been waiting for so long and some of them think that the Gonou camp looks too good to be true. Right now they live in the mud without any infrastructure (water, electricity, and toilets).

The Gonou self-managed camp is supposed to be also a cultural center for various activities with three playgrounds, sports fields and a clinic. Each beneficiary family will get 250 square meters of land with full infrastructure. Roma as well as NGO members and Prefectural employees have invested time, energy and hopes in this particular self-managed camp. They are optimistic that it will prove to be worth the effort and the money and that it will become a model for the future.

A neutral report, sympathetic to the problems as well as to the efforts towards the establishment of the self-managed camp of Gonou.

Magazine Ekpedeftiki Kinotita [Educational Community], May - July 1999, issue 50, [Dafermakis Manolis], p. 38-45

The Secret Charm of Tsiganology

In the last few years, scientists, journalists and intellectuals have shown an increasing interest in Roma topics, especially in Roma culture and lifestyle. The whole debate is taking place within the framework of ethnicity and goes hand in hand with its increasing importance. The (re)discovery of the Roma by all kinds of experts borders on obsession to prove the de facto authenticity and continuity of Romani life and culture. Only experts have legitimacy in saying who the ‘true’ Roma are and what should be done for their fate. In this way, “Romanologists” are becoming carriers of a legitimate and justified racism against their proteges. In the name of their distinct nature and identity, the Roma should be treated in a way, which will not imperil them with assimilation by the others. Thus, Romanologists bring through the window the discrimination they supposedly have kicked out through the door. Separate neighborhoods, separate cultural centers, separate schools may actually secure the existence of the Roma, uninfluenced by other cultures and civilizations. Invented idiosyncrasies of the Roma way of living and culture are recruited to make the point that the Roma do not invest in the future and live only for the present. The Roma are presented as jealous and hot-blooded people with Mediterranean “audacious” temperament. In this light, Roma existence is treated as genetically predetermined and thus, there is little hope to make things change for the better. No matter what, the Roma will never save money in a bank account and plan for their future. Similar is the approach when it comes to school. In the name of their bilingual, multicultural background, Roma children should be treated differently, i.e. separately, so as to save their distinct features from any attempt at their assimilation into the mainstream conventional majority. A sophisticated marginalization comes, this time with a valid alibi. However, none of these experts takes into account the multiplicity and flexibility of identities, the cultural interaction and the social marginalization, which might be the same for a Roma person as for another victim of society. And if the pseudo dilemma “alienation or marginalization” is valid, where does social mobility go?

The article is very much critical of the importance recently attributed to ethnicity. The point is that, in the name of ethnicity, Roma are put in the social margin with the blessing of all neophytes who recently discovered the purity of Roma culture. The author, in his leftist approach, in the first place disregards the right to self-determination and belonging to a group of people and, moreover, underestimates the correlation between ethnicity and discrimination. Some people are victims of human rights violations precisely because they form part of a group. As Dimitrina Petrova, Executive Director of the European Roma Rights Center, has once stated “human rights are universal but human rights violations are particular.” Even more, the weakest point of the article is the complete absence of any alternative to the pseudo dilemma “alienation or marginalization” and the disregard of successful attempts to achieve integration without assimilation and loss of identity.