Attacks against Roma in Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic

15 July 2012

Anti-Roma violence has gained significant prominence in the media in Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic and Bulgaria.

The attacks listed below, involving firebombing, shooting, stabbing, beating and other acts of violence, have already taken the lives of eight people and have left dozens of others with serious injuries. Many of the attacks have targeted families and children.

The attacks in these countries since have occurred in an increasingly racist climate. These countries have seen a strengthening of extremist and openly racist groups, which spread hate speech and organising anti-Romani marches through the very same villages where people are being attacked or killed.

For the most part, there have been no successful prosecutions of offenders in these attacks. This list of attacks is not exhaustive and does not address the state response to the attacks. The ERRC has not independently verified all of the information contained in these media reports.

Attacks against Roma in Hungary January 2008-September 2012

Attacks against Roma in the Czech Republic January 2008-July 2012

Attacks against Roma in the Slovak Republic January 2008-July 2012

Attacks against Roma in Bulgaria September 2011-July 2012

For further information, please contact: Sinan Gokcen, ERRC Information Officer, +36.1.413.2244