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Cases of discrimination in access to goods and services
We are particularly sad to hear of these exclusions by non-profit social organisations as, unfortunately, there
are still Roma families in risk of social exclusion. This case goes to show that prejudices towards Roma have a
bearing on social services such as this food distribution programme.
5.
Almeria.
Access to goods and services.
Direct discrimination.
A young Roma girl in Almeria came by the
local FSG office to report the following:
“I was with a few friends (all Roma) and we were about to go into a pub-cafeteria when the doorman
stopped us saying that we couldn’t go in because one of us was wearing shorts.” We were surprised,
to say the least, and started laughing because we didn’t know how to react to such an absurd prohibi-
tion. We asked him for the complaint form but he refused because we had laughed at him. We said we
wanted to speak to the owner but were told that he was busy and couldn’t see us. We left because
we didn’t know what else to do and we didn’t want any trouble. Not letting Roma girls in these places
is quite common.”
We informed the young girls that by law these places must provide a complaint form upon request and if they
refuse you can call the local police and lodge a formal complaint against the establishment.
The girls decided to not take any further action.
6.
Huelva.
Access to goods and services.
Indirect discrimination.
The FSG office in Huelva received calls from
Roma complaining about the situation they face particularly in the areas of employment, education, housing and
social services. They claimed that their town halls do not include them in any type of social action (educational,
employment, social services, etc.).
This information was corroborated by the FSG coordinator who monitors these situations.
7.
Almeria.
Access to goods and services.
Instruction to discriminate.
A young Roma man who participates in the ACCEDER Employment programme reported the following:
“A group of five friends went out on the town in Aguadulce to celebrate one of our birthdays.
We were about to go into a pub where the doorman was a friend of one of the blokes in our group and
the doorman said to him:
‘Juan, I hate to have to tell you this but my boss told me that I can’t let any Roma in. And don’t bother
trying to get in to any of the other pubs. They all have the same policy.
I know it’s unfair but I’m just following orders.’
We were pretty angry when we left that place because we felt discriminated for being Roma; we were
paying the price for the actions of a few.
We didn’t do anything because we simply had no idea what to do.
The Department gave the young men legal advice. We explained that they could have requested a complaint
form and that the person in charge is under obligation to give them one. Also, they could lodge a complaint at
the consumer office or the closest police station.
8.
Zaragoza.
Access to goods and services.
Direct discrimination
A few days before Columbus day (October 2014) a young Roma girl went into a department store and was
followed around the shop by a security guard.
The girl turned around and asked the security guard why he was following her and he told her he was doing his
job. The girl told him that his job was to watch all shoppers and not only her.