Public attitudes toward Roma in Ukraine

10 September 1998

The Ukrainian daily Respublika Krym reported on August 15, 1997, that a sociological survey had been conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KMIS) in cooperation with the Kyjevo-Mogiljanska Academija, the national university. According to the results of the research, 29% of Ukraine's population agree that Roma should not be allowed to enter the country. The study solicited the opinions of 1973 people over the age of 16, representing all categories of the population. On May 29, 1998, the Ukrainian daily Slovo reported the publication of another study by the KMIS in which researchers measured xenophobia and tolerance in Ukraine. According to the findings, 30 to 40% of the population of Ukraine has some prejudice against the various ethnic groups of the country, a rise compared to four years ago. The level of ethnic tolerance is falling, said Mr Paniotto, director of the KMIS. Among all ethnic groups living in Ukraine, the level of intolerance is highest towards Roma: more than half of Ukraine's population do not wish to see Roma as citizens of Ukraine and nine out of ten people would not want Roma as members of their family. The sociologists also conducted research into which social groups display the highest level of ethnic intolerance. According to the study, the leading factor is education; the lower the level of education, the higher the level of xenophobia. Villagers are also less tolerant than city dwellers.

(Respublika Krym, Slovo)