Roma Prohibited from Entering Public Accommodation in Romania

07 February 2004

According to the August 14, 2003 newsletter of the Bucharest-based Romani organisation Romani CRISS, at around 10:00 PM on June 7, 2003, two Romani youths were denied access to a discotheque in the town of Ştefăneşti in Botoşani County, northeastern Romania. As reported in the newsletter, one of the victims testified that when he and his friend attempted to enter the discotheque, two men selling tickets stopped them at the entrance. The men reportedly told the Roma that they were only allowed to enter if a waitress named "Donita" agreed. Soon thereafter, according to the victims' testimony, "Donita" appeared at the entrance and yelled at the men, "I told you not to let any Gypsy into the disco", turned to the Roma and yelled, "Gypsy, get out! There will be no Gypsy in my disco. Can't you read? It's a private club!" On December 4, 2003, one of the victims, Mr B.F., informed the ERRC that he and his friend had not filed a complaint with the National Council for Combating Discrimination because they were afraid of repercussions.

(ERRC, Romani CRISS)

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