Raise Awareness for Roma Community Conditions
Raise Awareness for Roma Community Conditions
The Issue
Imagine having to get your drinking water from a cemetery.
Imagine not being able to shower or bathe for an entire winter.
Imagine being threatened and chased by the police just because you are trying to get your family some water.
These are the challenges that the Roma people must live with every day as a result of the discrimination they face throughout Europe.
Clean water is a human right that should be ensured to all, regardless of social status, ethnic background, race, gender, etc.
Who are the Roma?
The Roma are a Northern Indian ethnic group that have been living in Europe since the 14th century. They are more commonly known as "gypsies". Throughout history, they have been looked down upon and seen as dirty beggars, thieves, and troublemakers. During World War II, they were victims of the Holocaust. Today many Europeans still label them as inferior and dirty, something to be kept away from "civilized" society.
Where do the Roma live?
The Roma tend to live in settlements that are very isolated from the rest of to population. Many live in shanties, containers, trailers, etc. It is rare but possible that a Roma will integrate him/herself into society and live in a house or a flat, maintaining an adequate level of socialisation. Unfortunately, it is a very small number of Roma who succeed in doing so.
The Roma do not have access to clean water, electricity, or toilets, due to the fact that they are not seen as worth using resources on. Because the Roma face discrimination in the housing market, they are reluctant or unable to leave their settlements. They are forced to live in squalor conditions throughout the years.
The Roma Speak Out
Below is a quote from Marjan Hudorovič, a resident of the Goriča vas in Ribnica settlement in Slovenia. He describes the challenges that people on the settlement face as a result of being denied access to clean water. The informal Roma settlement (Goriča vas in Ribnica) is home to about 70 people, the majority of them being children.
"We have no water. Every day we have to go fetch water from the nearest gas station, from the cemetery or from the water spring which is 3 and a half kilometers away. Since it is far away we end up paying more for the petrol than we would pay for the water itself. By the time we get home the water is already too warm to drink. In the summer we go to wash ourselves in the local stream; however the police chase us away. In the winter we do not wash ourselves., except the face. The stream is frozen and the water we bring from the cemetery or spring has to be saved for drinking and cooking. It is normal that we smell and that people avoid us. How do you think our children feel when they make fun of them because they smell?"
Mrs. Brajdič from Žabjak gives us a look into the lives of the children on the settlement.
"Children do not want to go to school because they are dirty. It is hard to wash the clothes, especially in the winter because the water is so cold. "
Marjan Hudorovič from Goriča says...
"The state says that children have to go to school but no one asks themselves if they can go there clean. No on asks themselves how they can do their homework in winter- it gets very dark and we do not have electricity."
With the help of Amnesty Slovenia, signing this petition will raise awareness internationally about the disastrous human rights violations that the 6 million Roma throughout Europe face, and will raise demands for change. Simply signing this petition will be a big step in the direction of justice.
Like our Facebook page, "The Roma are Worthy of Water" to get updates on the petition, insightful articles, and debate topics
The Issue
Imagine having to get your drinking water from a cemetery.
Imagine not being able to shower or bathe for an entire winter.
Imagine being threatened and chased by the police just because you are trying to get your family some water.
These are the challenges that the Roma people must live with every day as a result of the discrimination they face throughout Europe.
Clean water is a human right that should be ensured to all, regardless of social status, ethnic background, race, gender, etc.
Who are the Roma?
The Roma are a Northern Indian ethnic group that have been living in Europe since the 14th century. They are more commonly known as "gypsies". Throughout history, they have been looked down upon and seen as dirty beggars, thieves, and troublemakers. During World War II, they were victims of the Holocaust. Today many Europeans still label them as inferior and dirty, something to be kept away from "civilized" society.
Where do the Roma live?
The Roma tend to live in settlements that are very isolated from the rest of to population. Many live in shanties, containers, trailers, etc. It is rare but possible that a Roma will integrate him/herself into society and live in a house or a flat, maintaining an adequate level of socialisation. Unfortunately, it is a very small number of Roma who succeed in doing so.
The Roma do not have access to clean water, electricity, or toilets, due to the fact that they are not seen as worth using resources on. Because the Roma face discrimination in the housing market, they are reluctant or unable to leave their settlements. They are forced to live in squalor conditions throughout the years.
The Roma Speak Out
Below is a quote from Marjan Hudorovič, a resident of the Goriča vas in Ribnica settlement in Slovenia. He describes the challenges that people on the settlement face as a result of being denied access to clean water. The informal Roma settlement (Goriča vas in Ribnica) is home to about 70 people, the majority of them being children.
"We have no water. Every day we have to go fetch water from the nearest gas station, from the cemetery or from the water spring which is 3 and a half kilometers away. Since it is far away we end up paying more for the petrol than we would pay for the water itself. By the time we get home the water is already too warm to drink. In the summer we go to wash ourselves in the local stream; however the police chase us away. In the winter we do not wash ourselves., except the face. The stream is frozen and the water we bring from the cemetery or spring has to be saved for drinking and cooking. It is normal that we smell and that people avoid us. How do you think our children feel when they make fun of them because they smell?"
Mrs. Brajdič from Žabjak gives us a look into the lives of the children on the settlement.
"Children do not want to go to school because they are dirty. It is hard to wash the clothes, especially in the winter because the water is so cold. "
Marjan Hudorovič from Goriča says...
"The state says that children have to go to school but no one asks themselves if they can go there clean. No on asks themselves how they can do their homework in winter- it gets very dark and we do not have electricity."
With the help of Amnesty Slovenia, signing this petition will raise awareness internationally about the disastrous human rights violations that the 6 million Roma throughout Europe face, and will raise demands for change. Simply signing this petition will be a big step in the direction of justice.
Like our Facebook page, "The Roma are Worthy of Water" to get updates on the petition, insightful articles, and debate topics
Petition Closed
Share this petition
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 28 July 2015