Romani Families Forced onto the Street by Continuing Evictions in Rome

27 October 2011

Budapest, 27 October 2011: In a follow-up letter to authorities in Rome today, the ERRC and local partner, Popica ONLUS, condemned the frequent, ongoing evictions and ill-treatment of Romani communities in Rome in recent months.

Eighteen more evictions have been documented by the ERRC and local partners since the first letter was sent to Rome authorities on 11 August 2011. The authorities in Rome are displacing Romani families who have been living in Rome for many years, subjecting them to the trauma of multiple evictions and leaving them no choice but to live on the streets as no alternative accommodation for the whole family is provided. School attendance among children is disrupted and healthcare for the elderly or pregnant residents is impeded by the constant evictions. According to monitoring, the police destroy property during the evictions and have reportedly made racist remarks towards the Romani residents.

The ERRC and partners recall that forced evictions are prohibited under international law and urges the authorities in Rome to halt the policy of forced evictions and address the housing issues of Roma and Sinti with sustainable, adequate housing solutions, developed in consultation with Roma and Sinti communities, which promote the fulfilment of their human rights.

For further information contact:


Sinan Gökçen
ERRC Media and Communications Officer
sinan.gokcen@errc.org
+36.30.500.1324