Soaring Hate Speech and Discrimination Targeting Sinti and Roma Residents in Hesse, Germany
Working to Combat Discrimination Against Roma and Sinti People - Escalating Bigotry and Instigation: Continued Hostility and Discrimination Against Sinti and Roma Community
Warning: Contains Content Related to Racism, Antiziganism, and Discrimination
A worrying uptick in hateful incidents, consisting of verbal abuse, physical attacks, and indirect exclusions, has been reported against Sinti and Roma residents in the German state of Hesse. This alarming trend comes to light through the latest report issued by the Information and Reporting Center for Antiziganism (MIA) in Wiesbaden.
The number of documented cases has surged from 113 in 2023 to 159 in 2024, marking a significant increase of around 40 percent. Part of this rise can be attributed to the center's increased awareness and reporting efforts.
Antiziganism, a specific and long-standing form of racism against Sinti and Roma or those perceived as such, manifests through prejudices such as work refusal, non-settlement, educational distance, and noise.
Many of these discriminatory incidents occur in living environments and educational establishments such as schools. For instance, instances of neighbors hurling objects at children playing near their homes, injuring them, and families reporting incidents of physical harm due to antiziganist attacks, are on the rise.
At schools, teachers are often complicit, either through direct derogatory comments or by failing to intervene appropriately when such incidents occur. In one such case, a girl was excluded from a football game by another student with the phrase "Roma can't do that - only eat, and they're good at it." The girl's mother was subsequently informed by a teacher that "I can't do anything, your daughter has to surprise the other children by being good at football."
The MIA notes that an "alarming trend" necessitates decisive action to address the ongoing discrimination, omissions, and exclusions against Sinti and Roma communities in various public spaces and educational settings.
According to Joachim Brenner, MIA project leader, the surge in reported cases demonstrates that discriminatory behaviors persist and even intensify in the workplace, public arenas, schools, and daily life. Additionally, Brenner notes a concerning parallel between the rise in antiziganist incidents and the recent surge in antisemitic activities across Germany, suggesting a broader, intolerant societal climate.
Rinaldo Strauß, another MIA project leader, underscores the importance of comprehensive education about Sinti and Roma history and ongoing prejudices in German schools and universities. This knowledge could transform into protective measures against antiziganism within the learning environment, ultimately providing affected students with a safer, more inclusive educational atmosphere. Concerningly, studies have shown that some German textbooks still contain antiziganist stereotypes, requiring revision to ensure fair and unbiased education.
MIA Hesse is concerned about its uncertain future financing. While the German government has pledged support until 2025, state funding remains contingent upon continued federal funding, which, as yet, remains uncertain. Opposition parties have issued repeated calls for the Hesse government to provide permanent funding for MIA to protect Sinti and Roma residents, acknowledging the historical responsibility of the state.
Racism, Discrimination, Antiziganism, Romani community, Education, Hate speech, Sinti community, Wiesbaden, Germany
- Amidst the rising antiziganist incidents in Hesse, Germany, there is a call for comprehensive education about Sinti and Roma history in schools and universities to combat biases and create a safer, more inclusive learning environment.
- The surge in reported antiziganist cases in Germany, particularly in employment policies, education, and public arenas, echoes a broader, intolerant societal climate that demands decisive action from political and community leaders.
![Gathered as per reports by police, approximately 70 individuals were present. [Photo accompanying.]](/en/img/20250610041146_image-description-sunset-beach-palm-trees-tropical-landscape-blue-sky-sandy-shore-ocean-waves.jpeg?width=1280&crop=4-3&quality=75)
