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Cases of discrimination in the area of citizen security
The young couple told us that they felt vulnerable. They thought that the officers were going to help and tell
them what they needed to do after a traffic accident. However, that was not the case at all. This police did not
believe them and they didn’t know what to do.
For fear of possible reprisals, they decided not to take any action.
6.
Badajoz.
Citizen security.
Direct discrimination.
The alleged victim in this case, a Roma man, told us that he
was sitting in Ave Maria de Don Benito Park with an acquaintance when a National Police car stopped and two
officers got out, approached the man and ordered him to stand against the wall. They then frisked him and tried
to handcuff him. He objected and told them that he was not a criminal and asked them why they wanted to
put handcuffs on him. The officers warned him not to resist and said: “like all gypsies you have a bad temper.”
One of the officers asked the other for help and used physical violence to put the handcuffs on him. Once the
handcuffs were on him, they pushed him hard and he fell and hit his face giving him a serious black eye and an
open wound on his eyelid requiring three stitches.
Following that incident, he was taken to a medical clinic where he received initial treatment. He was then imme-
diately put in a police station holding cell where he remained overnight, with the aggravating circumstance that
the victim is asthmatic and disabled.
The young man informed us that throughout the process he felt morally and physically abused for no apparent
reason. He is a respected citizen and nothing like this has ever happened to him before.
The Equal Treatment Department contacted the lawyer handling the case who told us that she assisted the
detainee and lodged the complaint reporting the facts. The officers involved in the incident were identified in
the complaint. She also told us that she requested an examination of the alleged victim by a forensic doctor and
is still waiting. She advised the detainee to gather all the medical reports he has.
Also, when she offered him further assistance she informed us that the alleged victim had decided to request
legal aid and therefore she would no longer be representing him (she alluded to her legal fees as the reason).
7.
Badajoz.
Citizen security.
Direct discrimination.
A Roma family living in Merida decided to travel to visit a sick
relative in Zalamea de la Serena. On the way they stopped to ask directions when suddenly they were stopped
by two Guardia Civil vans. They told us that everyone was frisked, even the young family members travelling
with them.
When they told the policemen that they were on their way to visit a sick family member, they allowed them to
continue their journey.
The police refused to respond when they asked they why they had been frisked.
The victims told us that they felt very bad because the police stopped them because they were Roma.
They were unable to identify the vehicles or the officers because it was night and they were afraid.
8.
Naron.
Citizen security.
Direct discrimination.
A group of women, six Roma and one non-Roma, were exer-
cising together in the A Gandara district when a national police patrol car pulled up beside them. The driver of
the vehicle rolled down the window and, in a derogatory and mocking tone said: “Now that’s quite a little group
you have there.”
The driver then rolled up the window and drove on.
The group of women had not time to reply or make a comment. They told us that the police officer made them
feel uncomfortable. .