Working Definitions & Charters

Pravno nezavezujoča delovna definicija anticiganizma

O delovni definiciji anticiganizma Mednarodne zveze za spomin na holokavst:

Predlog delovne definicije anticiganizma je pripravil Komite za genocid nad Romi v posvetovanju s predstavniki civilne družbe. Mednarodna zveza za spomin na holokavst je pravno nezavezujočo delovno definicijo anticiganizma sprejela 8. oktobra 2020 na izrednem srečanju vodij delegacij članic IHRA.

 

Delovna definicija anticiganizma

IHRA se zaveda, da je zanemarjanje genocida nad Romi prispevalo k razraščanju predsodkov in diskriminacije, s čimer se mnoge romske skupnosti* soočajo še danes, in prevzema odgovornost za nasprotovanje tovrstnim oblikam rasizma in diskriminacije (4. in 7. člen Ministrske deklaracije IHRA iz leta 2020 ter 3. člen Stockholmske deklaracije), zato sprejema naslednjo delovno definicijo anticiganizma:

»Anticiganizem se izkazuje skozi izraze in dejanja posameznikov ter skozi institucionalne politike in prakse, ki spodbujajo marginalizacijo, izključevanje, fizično nasilje, omalovaževanje romskih kultur in življenjskih slogov ter sovražni govor, uperjen proti Romom in drugim posameznikom in skupinam, ki so bili v času nacizma in so še danes označeni za »cigane« ter zaradi tega stigmatizirani ali preganjani. To vodi v obravnavanje Romov kot domnevno družbi tuje skupine in povezovanje njenih pripadnikov z nizom slabšalnih stereotipov ter izkrivljenih podob, ki predstavljajo posebno obliko rasizma.

Pri svojem delu je IHRA kot vodilo upoštevala naslednje premisleke:

Anticiganizem obstaja že stoletja. Bil je bistven element v politikah preganjanja in uničevanja, ki so jih proti Romom izvajali nacistična Nemčija, fašistični in skrajni nacionalistični partnerji ter drugi kolaboranti, ki so sodelovali pri teh zločinih.

Anticiganizem se ni začel z nacizmom in se ni končal z njegovim koncem, temveč ostaja osrednji element zločinov, zagrešenih nad Romi. Kljub pomembnemu delu, ki ga opravljajo Organizacija združenih narodov, Evropska unija, Svet Evrope, Organizacija za varnost in sodelovanje v Evropi in druga mednarodna telesa, stereotipi in predsodki o Romih še vedno vztrajajo in se večinoma nekaznovano uporabljajo, ker jih še nihče ni dovolj odločno zakonsko prepovedal ali ovrgel.

Anticiganizem je večplasten pojav, ki ga družba in politika na široko sprejemata. Je ključna ovira, ki onemogoča vključevanje Romov v širšo družbo in jim preprečuje, da bi uživali enake pravice, imeli enake priložnosti in enakopravno sodelovali v pridobitnih gospodarskih dejavnostih.

Za ponazoritev anticiganizma je mogoče navesti več primerov. Ob upoštevanju celovitih okoliščin se lahko anticiganizem danes kaže kot kaj od spodaj naštetega, čeprav seznam ni dokončen:

  1. Izkrivljanje ali zanikanje preganjanja Romov ali genocida nad Romi.
  2. Poveličevanje genocida nad Romi.
  3. Podžiganje, opravičevanje in izvajanje nasilja nad romskimi skupnostmi, njihovo lastnino in posameznimi Romi.
  4. Vsiljene ali prisilne sterilizacije ter druge telesne in psihološke zlorabe Romov.
  5. Ohranjanje in utrjevanje diskriminatornih stereotipov o Romih.
  6. Z uporabo sovražnega govora zvračanje krivde na Rome za resnične ali domnevne družbene, politične, kulturne, gospodarske in javnozdravstvene težave.
  7. Stereotipno označevanje Romov za ljudi, ki se ukvarjajo s kriminalom.
  8. Uporaba izraza »cigan« kot zmerljivke.
  9. Potrjevanje ali spodbujanje izključevalnih mehanizmov, uperjenih proti Romom, na podlagi rasno diskriminatornih podmen, na primer izključevanje iz rednega šolanja in institucionalnih postopkov ali politik, kar vodi v segregacijo romskih skupnosti.
  10. Sprejemanje politik brez pravne podlage ali vzpostavljanje pogojev, ki omogočajo svojevoljno ali diskriminatorno preseljevanje romskih skupnosti in posameznikov.
  11. Nalaganje kolektivne odgovornosti Romom za resnična ali domnevna dejanja posameznih članov romskih skupnosti.
  12. Razširjanje sovražnega govora proti romskim skupnostim v kakršnikoli obliki, na primer v medijih, vključno s spletom in družbenimi omrežji.«

*Izraz »Romi« je krovni izraz, ki vključuje različne sorodne skupine, ki so lahko stalno naseljene ali ne, med katerimi so na primer Romi, Travellers, Gens du voyage, Resandefolket/De resande, Sinti, Camminanti, Manouches, Kalés, Romanichels, Boyash/Rudari, Ashkalis, Égyptiens, Yéniches, Doms, Loms in Abdal, ki lahko imajo zelo različne kulture in življenjske sloge. To je zgolj pojasnjevalna opomba, ne pa opredelitev Romov.

Frequently asked questions

Why was the IHRA working definition of antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination developed?

The experts in the IHRA’s Committee on the Genocide of the Roma were tasked with developing a working definition on antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination in 2017, as part of the IHRA Strategy to safeguard the record and counter distortion of the Holocaust and genocide of the Roma.

Roma are Europe’s largest ethnic minority and have experienced persecution and discrimination in the region for centuries. The urgent need for a working definition became undeniable in 2020 when, shortly after the IHRA adopted its 2020 Ministerial Declaration, which reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to countering antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Across Europe, Roma were scapegoated and blamed for the virus’ spread, resulting in a rise in both anti-Roma hate and policy. A working definition based on the consensus of the IHRA’s Member Countries would provide the IHRA, governments, and civil society with a common understanding of the phenomenon, allowing for more productive discussions.

Who developed the IHRA working definition of antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination?

The text above is the result of the work within the IHRA’s Committee on the Genocide of the Roma, which consists of delegates from IHRA Member Countries across various disciplines. It was drafted during consultations and extra meetings of the Committee, and with representatives of Roma communities. All Working Group and Committee Chairs in 2019 and 2020 were also consulted, as were the Luxembourg and German IHRA Presidencies. The working definition was adopted by all IHRA Member Countries during an extraordinary Heads of Delegation meeting on 8 October 2020 under the German IHRA Presidency.

What has its impact been?

Since working definition’s adoption, the IHRA has used the tool to guide its work on the genocide of the Roma. For example, it enabled the creation of the IHRA Project drafting Recommendations for Teaching and Learning about the Persecution and Genocide of the Roma during the Nazi era, which began its work in 2022. It also formed the core of the IHRA’s response to discrimination against Roma refugees fleeing Ukraine.

Implementation of the working definition is ongoing and the IHRA commends those countries who have adopted the definition at the national level, including Austria, Croatia, Germany, Israel, North Macedonia, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom. Both in these countries and beyond, the working definition is being used by civil society organizations to, for example, counter antigypsysim/anti-Roma discrimination in sports associations, support youth activity, and develop training programs for professionals.

What can people do to counter antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination?
  1. Raise awareness and demand action – The IHRA’s working definition of antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination is now available in a variety of languages. Share it with relevant institutions, ministries, and individuals to help sensitize them to the existence of this form of racism and encourage those institutions to implement measures to counter it.
  2. Speak out and take action – Speak out when you witness antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination. Report these instances to the authorities and ask for concrete actions to be taken. Inform civil society organizations, who can help victims of discrimination lodge complaints.
  3. Honor and remember – Learn about the Roma and Sinti victims who were murdered because of their identity during the Genocide of the Roma and share this information with others. Attend a commemoration event on 2 August in remembrance of the Roma and Sinti victims and survivors. Issue a statement or a message on that day to honor them.

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The IHRA regularly translates its resources into other languages.

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