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Cases of discrimination in other areas
Cases of discrimination in other areas
1.
Almeria.
Others.
Direct discrimination.
A Roma man came to the Almeria office of the Fundación Secretariado
Gitano to request help in buying a car. He decided to search the Internet. He found an interesting offer and con-
tacted the seller by telephone. When they met to do the paperwork, the seller informed him that he had decided
not to sell it because his wife wanted it.
The man did not understand this explanation because he could have decided that before they had made the
effort to meet. He believed that it was because he is Roma.
2.
Jaen.
Others.
Direct discrimination.
An FSG mediator and a coordinator from the Jaen office met at a store
where they were looking at bracelets when another customer referring to the bracelets in a derisive tone said:
“they’re very Gypsy-ish”.
The two friends looked at one another as they decided whether they should say something or not when a
bracelet from another counter fell to the floor and broke. The girl was distracted and missed the opportunity
to say something.
The use of the expression “Gypsy-ish” in this context in reference to the bracelets is another stereotype of the
Roma community which has nothing to do with Roma culture.
3.
Jaen.
Others Direct discrimination.
A young FSG staff member from Jaen told us that in January 2013 while
at a religious service in Torredonjimeno (Jaen) of the Evangelical Church of Philadelphia, the children of
some of the worshippers left the service during one of the religious activities.
Next to the church there is a
wall where the children of the churchgoers often go to play. The owner of the property where the children were
playing came out of his house and threw a bucket of water on the stone ledge to keep the children from sitting
there. He intentionally splashed one of the children saying: “you Gypsies are all the same”.
The children told their parents and everyone came out of the church and some words were said.
The young man decided it was best to let things be to keep them from shutting down the premises they use
as a church for their daily service.
4.
Malaga.
Others Direct discrimination.
A young Roma man was in the process of becoming separated from
his spouse.
She made a habit of speaking to her husband and his relatives in a disrespectful and racist manner.
These incidents even took place in the police station and the court but no action was ever taken by the authori-
ties. The family was concerned about what would happen to the couple’s two young children. Despite the many
complaints filed before the family court and the orders issued by that court (for failure to comply with visitation
rules, child support and other elements of the order), no action had been taken to execute the legally binding
measures to ensure the best interests of the children.
5.
Valencia.
Others Direct discrimination.
A Romanian Roma woman came to the FSG’s offices in Valencia
to report discrimination against her for being Roma and Romanian.
She had applied for a disability pension
and after five years had still not received any response.
We went with all of the documentation and requested information at the local health clinic. The staff there told
us that there was no file opened under that name.
The woman told us that she was going to file another pension application with more recent documents (medical
reports, etc.).