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Discrimination and the Roma Community 2014
Cases of discrimination in the area of citizen security
1.
Seville.
Citizen security.
Direct discrimination.
The FSG received an email from a Roma youngster telling of
disproportionate and violent action on the part of the state police and security forces in a district of Seville with
about 3000 homes where many Roma families live. He reported that police attacks in the neighbourhood were
broadcast by a private television station without any respect for the Roma families living there or for the Roma
community in general.
The FSG’s Equality Department analysed the TV news broadcast and, while it is true that at one point the pro-
gramme pointed out the importance of avoiding generalizations and reported on the police action and not the
groups they were acting against, we took note of the discriminatory, prejudiced and stereotyped tone that the
ensuing debate took towards the Roma Community.
2.
Linares.
Citizen security.
Direct discrimination.
A Roma family from Linares wanted to lodge a complaint
against the raids police were making in their neighbourhood. They told us that the police were acting dispro-
portionately and with no apparent reason, and in many cases assaulted people who had nothing to do with the
police action.
The FSG’s Equality Department proceeded to confirm this information and discovered that the family filing the
complaint had legal representation as several of its members were directly affected by these actions. The trial
is still pending.
3.
Malaga.
Citizen security.
Direct discrimination.
An FSG worker in Malaga informed us that a young Roma man
was arrested at the Malaga airport because he was carrying gold. The young man told us that he was arbitra-
rily detained at the Malaga airport while he was trying to catch his flight to London to pursue his professional
activity (sale of gold) and was subjected to degrading treatment and discrimination by several police officers
who participated in the detention. The young man felt that he was being treated poorly because he was Roma.
Despite repeatedly stating that his activity was completely legitimate and that he could provide invoices and
documents certifying the legal origin of the samples and merchandise he was carrying, he was not permitted to
defend himself or make any arguments but rather was taken directly to the police station where he was held for
72 hours before appearing before a court.
4.
Malaga.
Citizen security.
Direct discrimination.
We received information from a Roma man who is national
police officer. He told us that ever since the chief inspector of the National Police met his mother and realized
that he was Roma, he has been suffering discrimination to the point that the chief filed charges against him for
stealing confiscated steroids and burglary.
According to his testimony this was not true and he proved that it was not true. Moreover, five of his co-
workers vouched for him at the hearing highlighting his work merits.
5.
Zaragoza.
Citizen security.
Direct discrimination.
A young Roma couple told us that they went to the Utebo
police station to report a traffic accident that they were involved in. The police officers went with them to the
scene of the accident and told them that:
“There are so many skid marks that it is impossible to tell where the
accident took place”.
Later the couple returned to show the police their medical reports to which they responded:
“Ah, this is what happened to your wife and nothing happened to you. How are you going to get hurt if you were
driving at 50 km/hour. If that were the case, the injuries would not be this serious.”