The Local Germany

Majority of primary school students in Germany can't explain meaning of 'Jew' or 'Roma': Study

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 10:50:07 +0100

The majority of primary school pupils in Germany don’t know what the terms Jew and Roma mean, according to a new study conducted by the International Central Institute for Youth and Educational Television in Munich.

Roma and Sinti: Germans for centuries, but still considered outsiders

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 13:31:52 +0100

Monday marks 75 years since the Nazi genocide against Sinti and Roma started. These communities struggled for decades for official recognition of that crime and still live with daily prejudice.

Frankfurt authorities are ‘trying to drive homeless Roma out of town’, says rights group

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 13:42:17 +0100

An organization which supports the rights of Sinti and Roma in Frankfurt has accused city officials of “scandalous" behaviour for tampering with the passports of Roma migrants.

Roma occupy Regensburg Cathedral to win right to stay

Wed, 06 Jul 2016 10:20:14 +0200

Around 40 failed asylum seekers have taken to occupying the Regensburg Cathedral to fight their deportation.

Germany, Sweden need help with migrants: UN

Tue, 18 Aug 2015 13:51:38 +0200

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said on Tuesday that Europe must work out a fairer way of sharing refugees, days after Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that the refugee crisis would likely prove a greater political challenge for Europe than Greece.

Sinti, Roma are most discriminated against

Wed, 03 Sep 2014 17:33:00 +0200

A new study has found that the Sinti and Roma people encounter more discrimination than any other group in Germany, with more than a fifth of Germans supporting their deportation.

Parliament plans asylum law change

Fri, 06 Jun 2014 11:20:00 +0200

The German Parliament will meet on Friday to discuss plans to restrict immigration from Balkan countries which would see Serbia, Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina classed as “safe countries of origin”.

End anti-Roma racism: German Amnesty boss

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 18:48:00 +0200

Amnesty International released on Tuesday a damning report on Europe's attitude towards its Roma community. The head of the charity's German branch, Selmin Caliskan, said she believed that governments allowed racism to happen.

Hannover finds 'Gypsy' schnitzel tasteless

Tue, 08 Oct 2013 13:50:00 +0200

Authorities in the central German city of Hannover reminded canteen staff this week not to use the term "Gypsy schnitzel" on their menus in support of Roma and Sinti groups who are pushing for the word to be banned on food labels.

Neo-Nazi party must take down election posters

Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:07:00 +0200

Authorities have ordered a neo-Nazi party to take down campaign posters in central Germany for being anti-Romani. The placards lined a street leading up to a former concentration camp.

Roma group: 'Gypsy sauce' is offensive

Thu, 15 Aug 2013 14:40:00 +0200

A Sinti and Roma group are calling for German food companies to change the name of popular Zigeunersauce, “gypsy sauce”. But manufacturers are not rushing to reprint labels.

Berlinale winner returns to poverty at home

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 08:13:00 +0100

Nazif Mujic picked up the Silver Bear for best actor at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this month for his performance in Bosnian director Danis Tanovic's "An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker," one of the highlights of the Berlinale.

Concern rises over Roma slum apartment block

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:31:00 +0100

Concern is rising and complaints multiplying about hundreds of Roma living in a dilapidated apartment block in Duisburg, rented out at seemingly high prices by a red light slumlord, it was reported on Thursday.

Merkel to unveil Roma memorial this week

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 09:56:00 +0200

Chancellor Angela Merkel will inaugurate a memorial to Roma and Sinti people murdered the Nazis on Wednesday, as Europe's largest minority grapples with ongoing discrimination.

'Racism the problem' - 20 years after Rostock

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 12:37:00 +0200

Thousands of people gathered in Rostock over the weekend to mark the 20th anniversary of what is viewed as the worst attack against foreigners the country has seen since the Second World War.

Sinti Auschwitz victim's widow denied pension

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:03:00 +0200

An Auschwitz victim’s widow has been denied a pension after authorities questioned medical reports from more than 40 years ago which said his ill-health was caused by the two years in Nazi camps.

Police probe neo-Nazi link to Roma arson attack

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:24:00 +0200

Police investigating an arson attack on an apartment housing Roma and Sinti families in Leverkusen were continuing Tuesday morning to probe the possibility that neo-Nazis may have been behind the attack.

Housing charity accused of exploiting Roma

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:46:00 +0200

A Berlin charity has been accused of housing Roma families in filthy flats and making a hefty profit from over-charging them for the accommodation – tax free, while speaking about them with a shocking lack of respect.

Roma Holocaust survivor pleads for better treatment in Europe

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:33:00 +0100

A Roma man was for the guest of honour at official Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorations for the first time in Germany on Thursday and made a poignant call for better treatment of his people in Europe.

Berlin’s unwanted Roma

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 15:57:00 +0200

France's expulsions of Roma have caused international outrage, but what's life like in Germany for the people once known as Gypsies? Robert Rigney explored Berlin's Roma community for Exberliner magazine.