“Reporting Democracy”-Comment on the situation of Roma in Central and Southeast Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic

The article “Roma: Europe’s Neglected Coronavirus Victims” (published on 1 April 2020) examines the situation of many Roma in Central and Southeast Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of lockdown measures, such as restricting movement, closing schools and businesses and enforcing social distance, on already vulnerable communities.

https://balkaninsight.com/2020/04/01/roma-europes-neglected-coronavirus-victims/

“Reporting Democracy” is run by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, a non-profit network promoting free speech, human rights and democratic values in Southern and Eastern Europe and beyond.

Among the others is Stephan Müller, external advisor to the Central Council of the German Sinti and Roma in Germany.

Other autors: Fikrija Tair is an NGO activist from North Macedonia who holds an MA in public policy. Bashkim Ibishi is executive director of Advancing Together in Kosovo. Dragan Gracanin is executive director of the Association of Coordinators for Roma Issues at Local Self-Governments in Serbia.

The authors are involved with “Towards a New Policy with Roma in the Western Balkans”, an initiative of the Central Council of the German Sinti and Roma (Zentralrat Deutscher Sinti und Roma) in cooperation with Roma Active Albania (Albania), Otaharin (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Advancing Together (Kosovo), Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians (Kosovo), Phiren Amenca (Montenegro), Institute for Research and Policy Analysis – Romalitico (North Macedonia), Association of Coordinators for Roma Issues (Serbia) and Forum Roma Srbije (Serbia).

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