Reflections on Roma Rights and the Romani Movement
A. B.: In my view it has become indispensable to overcome internal conflicts when the global
strategy is at stake. Pluralism inside the Roma movement is healthy and necessary condition for a democratic transformation. I am highly suspicious of voices demanding total unity and submission to charismatic leaders. But building consensus in the most fundamental questions needs a developed sense of toler-ance and negotiation, which is not alien to the traditions of Romani Kriss. It seems to me that the times have come to expect from the new Roma elite the formulation of a strategy in respect of the future, to be submitted to public discussion first of all inside and even outside of the community. Till now it was al-ways from outside that the future has been de-vised. Integration is a complex global process in which there are not only winners. It seems there is consensus among the Roma in favor-ing social integration. It is obvious also, that such a project will have cultural and identity costs. In order to receive the advantages of a socio-economic development and adapt to the majority’s way of life, a gradual modernisa-tion has to take roots among the Roma not only in its middle classes, but also among the less privileged. How to stick to the most valu-able traits of the traditional culture and adapt to modernity? I believe that such assessments have to be made by indigenous leaders in or-der to be followed massively.
Let us remember that since the 16th century in Europe the various peripatetic groups put under the generic name of gypsies, manouches etc.
have followed a survival strategy where the tradeoff for keeping up the way of life was to accept marginality and frequently persecution.
An admirable continuity of an oral culture sur-rounded by established states and, in general, inimical attitude from the population. Finding their economic niche in the servicing sector and the show business they responded to the demand of the market for the long term, by keeping their aloofness. The forced integration attempts of Maria Theresa and Joseph II were
2 I believe it is time to acknowledge and publicly thank the leaders of the OSI, and George Soros in person, for the permanent support given to the cause of Roma.
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roma rights quarterly ¯ numbers 2 and 3, 2006
roma rights quarterly ¯ numbers 2 and 3, 2006 roma rights quarterly ¯roma rights quarterly ¯ numbers 2 and 3, numbers 2 and 3, 20062006 25 E R R C 1 0t h A N N I V E R S A R Y
ultimately unsuccessful, and for a good part set-tling down was the price to be paid. The second forceful integration orchestrated by Communist governments from the 1960s on, made a much bigger impact “proletarizing” the lifestyle and moving the main source of income from serv-icing to the production sector. Since the 1990s democracy offered for the first time the op-portunity to generate an autochthonous vision of the future from the inside. It could say for instance, integration yes, but how far, in what respect? Of course this vision can’t become reality by miracle, or by simply formulating it.
Other players will be part of the game, but at least a conscious, pragmatic policy line could be worked out which would be able to motivate cohesion and positive steps of change.
If no other reason to push in that direction, the demographic dimension imposes itself as the overwhelming factor on a continent where the majority experiences a decline in numbers, whereas the Roma community has a third world type of population growth. Taking only the electoral aspect in view, in many countries of the region the Roma votes, if agglomerat-ing, may determine the outcome. Roma repre-sentation may thus become part of the power bargain and serve the interests of its members and act in the perspective of the vision. This presupposes a much more effective awareness raising work to be done by the civil and civic organisations inside the whole community, in-cluding the poorest strata.
This brings me to the last question. The turmoil characteristic of the new century – ethnic and religious conflicts, immigration based tensions and upheavals, wars and destruction, terrorism and/or liberation struggles – are to be seen as a
warning sign. Energy and environmental emer-gencies seem to become endemic. The restruc-turing of the economies in Central and Eastern Europe – where the majority of the Roma live – even if successful, will not automatically al-leviate exclusion and poverty. This is the plau-sible scenario ERRC has to count on.
An organization like ERRC, not only like-minded but actively supporting the Roma cause on the continent, can be very valuable by developing even more horizontal partner-ships with the Roma NGOs, and turning into, so to speak, their adviser in legal and strategic matters. This doesn’t mean to loose its organi-sational or conceptual independence at all. In the contrary, its value for the Roma organisa-tions stems from its professional excellence and international notoriety achieved during the first decade of activity. An external eye is invaluable if the arguments and suggestions presented are taking into account the mutual autonomy and are based on dialogue. Build-ing strategic alliances, not the forte of the Roma NGOs, may in this respect become an extremely precious mission.
On the other hand reinforcing and/or seeking out alternative methods of training activists be-comes even more essential in the new circum-stances. The last decade has yielded a whole lot of young potential leaders who got lost for the movement because of job opportunities elsewhere. But without dedicated and moti-vated activists in the Romani neighbourhoods and villages, the voice of the Roma will remain muted even further. I firmly believe that keep-ing up the standard of the legal and advocacy activity, more financial and staff support to this obligation would be highly advisable.
27 roma rights quarterly ¯ numbers 2 and 3, 2006
roma rights quarterly ¯ numbers 2 and 3, 2006
E R R C 1 0t h A N N I V E R S A R Y
27 roma rights quarterly ¯ numbers 2 and 3, 2006
roma rights quarterly ¯ numbers 2 and 3, 2006
E R R C 1 0t h A N N I V E R S A R Y