Racially motivated violence against Romani asylum seekers in England
03 April 1999
The Roma Refugee Organisation and Dover Residents against Racism have reported cases of racially-motivated violence against Romani asylum seekers in south-east England. In February 1999, a neighbour reportedly attacked a Romani woman, Mrs A.K., in her home in the Primrose Road area of Dover, south-east England. Mrs A.K. has sought asylum in the United Kingdom and is awaiting the decision of the Home Office. Mrs A.K. was bathing one of her children in her home, when her male neighbour came into the house and accused her and her children of making noise. Mrs A.K. came downstairs and asked the man to leave. There was some pushing and shoving and as he left, he broke a window pane in the front door. Mrs A.K. has not pressed charges.
The Roma Refugee Organisation reported other cases of violence against Romani asylum seekers in Dover. In July 1998 and again in September - October 1998, the Romani family of Mr and Mrs D. reportedly received hate mail and had windows broken in their house. Three men with dogs reportedly called on Mrs D., threatened her and threw eggs through a broken window. In October 1998, the house of a Romani family was allegedly set on fire with a one-year-old baby inside. In the same month, Mirek, a Romani man in his twenties, was allegedly punched in a bar after being asked if he was a refugee. In late December 1998, lit paper was pushed through the letter box of Mr J. and Mrs B., a Romani couple living in London Road, Dover. Fortunately, the paper was discovered immediately and little damage was done. The police were called but did not open an investigation, reportedly due to a lack of witnesses. The police have reportedly responded to complaints but according to local organisations have made no arrests.
Romani asylum seekers continue to be harassed in other ways. In spring 1998, locals accused the children of Mrs B. living in Westbrey Road, Dover, of stealing milk from their doorsteps. Although Mrs B. was able to satisfy police investigators that she had not stolen the milk, residents living along the same road signed a petition to the local Council against her.
The Roma Refugee Organisation reported cases of hate mail against Romani asylum seekers, as well as posters in windows of houses declaring "no asylum seekers here" and other forms of harassment, such as broken windows, name calling and bell ringing. Both Dover Residents against Racism and Refugee Link claim to have received hate mail. Anti-Romani sentiment was fuelled after the arrival of Romani asylum seekers in the period since summer 1997 by a negative and exaggerated media campaign, both in the local and national press.
(Dover Residents Against Racism, Roma Refugee Organisation)
