Antiziganism in Rhineland-Palatinate: Reported Incidents Nearly Doubled

Call for More Education in Schools

The state's commissioner for anti-Ziganism, Michael Hartmann, said: "There is too much ignorance about the minorities." He therefore wants to firmly anchor the topic of Sinti and Roma in school curricula. "Both the persecution and the culture of Sinti and Roma should play a greater role in lessons," said Hartmann. Teachers also need to be sensitized in their initial and further training.

A documented case shows how urgently education is needed: A student was repeatedly insulted by a classmate with phrases such as "Hitler should have gassed you," "dirty Gypsy woman," and "Gypsy bastard." The family turned to the teachers but received no support – the daughter was advised to simply ignore the remarks.

A Case from School Life

When the girl finally became physically aggressive herself, the school portrayed her as the perpetrator and not the victim. According to MIA, the case illustrates that discrimination often begins early, especially in school or during young people's leisure time. About a quarter of the registered anti-Ziganist incidents are directed against minors.

The Reporting Office for Antiziganism has existed in Rhineland-Palatinate since 2022. Affected individuals can report incidents by phone, online, or in person. MIA anonymizes incoming reports and operates independently. According to Hartmann, the funding is shared equally by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and the federal government.

Reporting Offices as Light in the Darkness

In addition to Rhineland-Palatinate, there are five other MIA reporting offices in Germany: in Bavaria, Berlin, Hesse, Schleswig-Holstein, and Saxony. Discussions about establishing further offices in additional federal states are already underway. Managing Director Ruiz emphasized the importance of minority members acting as contact persons at the reporting offices to build the necessary trust.

Hartmann praised the work of the reporting office: "Thanks to the reporting office, more light is shed on the events, and not everything remains in the dark any longer." In Rhineland-Palatinate, around 10,000 people belong to the Sinti and Roma minorities. MIA board member Kling expects the number of reported attacks to continue to rise in the current year.