GHM REPORT TO ERRC No 71:
15/11/1999
REPORT ON THE COVERAGE OF THE ROMA IN THE
GREEK PRESS
OCTOBER 1999
(Comments in italics are made by the
GHM)
Contents
1. Roma and the Earthquake
2. Roma Criminality
3. Roma in Rio: Possible Eviction
Roma and the Earthquake
2/10/1999: Kathimerini p. 7
“Tsiganoi (Roma) and the Earthquake”
The cooperation between various
non-governmental organizations and the public authorities can be beneficial for the
promotion of Roma’s social integration into the mainstream of society. That was one of
the numerous conclusions drawn by the organizations, which participated in the European
Program “Asoun Man” (Listen to Me). The Save the Children independent organization
took the responsibility for running the program in Greece. Scientific research carried out
by the program on both the national and the transnational level was presented at a meeting
in Athens on October 1, 1999. The need for assisting the smooth integration of the Roma
into the Greek society loomed larger than ever after the recent damaging earthquake in
Athens.
A neutral report, in favor of the
initiative.
3/10/1999: Eleftherotypia p.
23
For the umpteenth time, rumors attributed
the sacking of wrecked quake-stricken houses to the Roma. What the public does not know,
however, is the fact that in two of the few cases the people arrested for robbery were
soldiers who were supposedly guarding the quake-stricken houses. This piece of news was
left outside the media agenda-setting procedure on purpose.
A very positive report, highlighting the
easiness with which stereotypes and prejudices are created, reinforced and recycled.
2.) Roma Criminality
a.) Zefyri
16/10/1999: Vradyni [Katherina
Karadimas], p. 22
“Zefyri - ‘Inaccessible’ for the
Police.
The Enemy - Criminality, Rather Than
the Earthquake”
The municipality of Zefyri has been one
of the most severely damaged quake-stricken areas of Athens. Nevertheless, the recent
earthquake is not even slightly comparable to the catastrophe, which the municipality
experiences on a daily basis because of the high criminality rate in the region. According
to Mr. Apostolos Zervas, mayor of Zefyri, criminality is very much related to the presence
of several nomad Roma families, trespassing and camping in private plots of land, living
without any infrastructure and under bad hygiene conditions. Looking for jobs, most of
them find themselves in Zefyri, live temporarily in the area and engage in unlawful acts
such as drug trafficking. Some are also involved in illegal trade in weapons and have
extensive police records. Mr. Zervas welcomed Prime Minister K. Simitis on his visit to
the municipality by saying: “Welcome to Kosovo.” In Zefyri gunshots are the rule and
not the exception. Local residents, scared for their lives and physical integrity, avoid
walking in the streets of the wider district at night and even the police seem to be
unable to control the situation. Police officers are frequent victims of the criminals’
violence. That is why they usually avoid intervention, fearing that this may cost them
their lives. The mayor made a clear distinction between the above mentioned nomad Roma and
the 1,500 peaceful Roma who are permanent residents in Zefyri, have houses and jobs, send
their children to school and seem to be satisfactorily integrated into the local
mainstream society without creating any trouble.
In its essence the report is quite
one-sided. The view of the Roma -permanent residents of Zefyri and alleged nomad criminals
alike- is not presented by the journalist. The article is restricted solely to the
opinions of the mayor and the municipal council, leaving aside the locals and especially
the Roma.
15/10/1999: To Vima p.
18, 19
“Death in the Athens Neighborhoods”
A two-page report about drug
trafficking in the districts of Athens has a two-line reference to the Zefyri Roma “who
trade hashish and heroine in the nearby camps.” The report is otherwise exclusively
focused on the severity of the drug problem in Athens and the “market places” around
the capital.
b.) Menemeni
13/10/1999: Vradyni, p. 21
“Gypsies - Using Their Own Children
for Drug Trafficking”
Two Roma children (12 and 14-years-old
respectively) were arrested by the police with almost 3 kg of hashish in Menemeni. The two
kids were brought before the Public Prosecutor. Their mother, for whom they were allegedly
working, escaped the arrest. She is now wanted by the police. The children’s uncle
claimed that the children found the bag of hashish somewhere near the Menemeni camp where
they live, while they were playing. The court did not seem to believe the story. Local
residents expressed the view that quite a few incidents of this kind have taken place in
the region and that on numerous occasions Roma children were involved in the drug
trafficking of their parents.
A neutral report, which avoids
mentioning the names of the children and attributing accusations to other parties like the
local residents or the police. However, the highlighting of ethnicity -which is almost a
rule in the Greek media- propagates the existing predominantly negative stereotypes and
reinforces collective stigmatization.
c.) Nafplio
25/10/1999: Vradyni, p: 44
"Dangerous Tzigan criminal arrested
in Nafplio"
One of the most dangerous criminals,
according to the police, is now in its hands. The 25-year-old Rom, Petros Kalamiotes, was
arrested on his way towards the Roma settlement outside the city of Nafplio. Among others,
Petros Kalamiotes is accused of numerous robberies, attempted murder and resistance. While
searched, police found a gun which was confiscated. On various occasions, the suspect had
troubled the police authorities who had put him in the list of ten most dangerous
criminals. After many unsuccessful attempts, he was finally caught.
Neutral report, following the usual
Greek media practice of highlighting the ethnicity of suspects.
3.) Roma in Rio: Possible Eviction
9/10/1999: Week of Rio (a local
weekly paper in the municipality of Rio, No. 54), p.1, 2
“Roma Residents Create Problems in
Rio”
The local municipal council of Rio
decided to evict the Roma who reside within the borders of the municipality invoking the
law and the safety of the non-Roma residents. These residents have already made efforts,
through public denunciations and protest letters to the authorities, to evict the Roma
tent-dwellers. The reasoning was that since the Roma live without any infrastructure and
hygienic conditions close to a river, which flows directly to the beach, they pose a
threat to the public health of the locals. In addition, the municipal council attributed
unlawful and criminal acts -robberies, trespassing and terrorism- to the Roma residents of
Rio. The Prefect of Ahaia, when asked to comment on the decision and the accusations
stated: “we do recognize the problem. However, we have to bear in mind that above all we
are dealing with human beings and we must provide them with a solution. If the
municipality of Rio wants these people out of this area, we will eagerly help them, as
long as the competent authorities indicate alternative sites for their transferring within
Rio. Let’s be honest; the state and the authorities must find a way to settle these
people.”
A neutral to negative report as the Roma
are completely left aside. The journalist makes no reference to the background story of
their misery. Why do the Roma live without any infrastructure? Is it because they like it,
or simply because the authorities wished to discourage their permanent staying in the
region? Were they ever offered any alternatives? Are they registered residents of the
municipality? Do they have jobs? If the allegations are true, why do they resort to
criminality? Such questions were not only left unanswered. The reporter simply never posed
them. |
