News Roundup: Snapshots from Around Europe

03 April 2006

Albania
IOM and UN Special Rapporteur Concerned over Trafficking in Albania 
Roma Left Out of Media Coverage Surrounding Albanian Elections

Belarus
Anti-Romani Hate Speech on National Television

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Renewed Calls for Reform of Discriminatory Electoral System

Bulgaria
European Court of Human Rights Finds Bulgaria Liable for Police Abuse of Roma on Two Separate Occasions 
Court Awards Romani Victim Full Compensation for Discrimination by Employer 
Bulgarian Court Finds the National Prosecutor's Office Discriminated Against Roma

Croatia
Racist Hate Speech in Reaction to Roma Winning Big Brother Croatia TV Contest

Czech Republic
Three Youths Imprisoned for Attacking Romani Couple 
Romani Family Assaulted in Their Home by Drunken Man with an Axe 
European Court Fails to Find Romani Children Victims of Discrimination in Education 
European Court of Human Rights Finds that Czech Government Violated Right to Fair Trial

France
French National Assembly Proposes Property Tax for Travellers 
European Roma Rights Centre Releases France Country Report

Germany
German Police Officer Disciplined for Publishing Hate Propaganda

Greece
UN Special Rapporteur Urges Greece to Protect the Rights of Minors 
ERRC and IHF Urge Greek Education Minister to End Roma School Segregation

Hungary
ERRC Hosts Consultation with UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing 
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child Concerned about the Situation of Romani Children in Hungary

Ireland
Farmer in County Mayo Receives Reduced Sentence of Manslaughter after Killing Traveller

Italy
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Reports on the Situation of Roma

Kosovo
European Court of Human Rights Has No Jurisdiction in Kosovo Lead Poisoning Case

Macedonia
Private Lawsuit Filed after Public Prosecutor Ended Investigation into Police Brutality in Kicevo 
Romani Boy Beaten After School in Tetovo  
UN Women's Rights Committee Highlights Romani Women's Issues in Macedonia

Romania
ERRC Presses for Reform of Romanian National Council for Combating Discrimination 
Romanian Equality Watchdog Rules Anti- Romani Speech by Romanian Politician is Discriminatory 
Romani Victims of Police Abuse Bring Lawsuit at European Court of Human Rights

Russia
Arson Attack Resulting in Death of a Child in Russia 
Kaliningrad Governor Urged to Stop Inhuman Treatment of Romani Families

Serbia and Montenegro
United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination first finding against Serbia and Montenegro 
UN Torture Committee Instructs Government to Investigate Police Abuse of Roma

Slovakia
Helsinki Commission Statement Against Sterilisation without Consent 
Winter without Heating or Hot Water for Roma in Lunik IX

Turkey
Police Raid Romani Community

United Kingdom
Travellers in West Sussex seek Permanent Home in Action Taken to the High Court