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Cases in police services
11.
Madrid.
Police services.
Direct discrimination.
An association in Madrid informed us of an incident of dis-
crimination against a young Roma man who was collecting scrap metal. The Civil Guard arrested the man and
put him in a holding cell. During the arrest, the Civil Guard apparently assaulted him. This was not the first time
he was subjected to this sort of treatment.
The Equality Department asked the person to contact us directly to see what we could do in this case. He has
still not responded.
12.
Madrid.
Police services.
Direct discrimination.
We received an email from a young Roma man who com-
plained of police abuse against Roma youth who were out in the wee hours of the morning but were not involved
in any sort of wrongdoing.
The Department tried to contact him to gather more detailed information but did not hear back.
13.
Madrid.
Police services.
Direct discrimination.
The Fundación Secretariado Gitano and other social NGOs
carry out education, employment and other programmes in the area of Cañada Real. At one of the meetings we
organise to provide information to Roma families from Romania, many families living in Cañada complained that
they were suffering disproportionate aggression and police brutality on a number of occasions and that no one
would come to their aid.
Unfortunately the situation of these families is quite complicated. The organisations working in the Cañada are
trying to design an intervention protocol with the local police forces and with other professionals to improve
co-existence and the quality of life of these families.
14.
Murcia.
Police services.
Direct discrimination.
The FSG’s Murcia office filed a request in writing for use of
the Plaza de la Constitución (La Fama neighbourhood) to celebrate the FSG’s open doors day and were verbally
informed that they could use the plaza on 27 June from 18:00 to 22:00 (we requested it until 23:00). They were
not permitted to set up a canteen which they had requested for the concert.
When they were assembling the stands, the local police asked to see their permit. They answered that they
didn’t have a permit in writing but were given permission on the phone and showed them the request form.
The police said that they “hadn’t been informed” and left without further discussion, the assumption being that
everything was in order despite not having a permit in writing.
The music started at approximately 21:00. At 21:45 two local police officers drove their vehicle into the middle
of the concert, close to the group that was about to perform, sending everyone scurrying as they emerged
from their vehicle with an air of arrogance.
The police cancelled the activity and drove their van through a garden area narrowly missing several small
children who were there enjoying the concert. They claimed that the permit was until 20:00 according to the
notification they received (which they initially said they had not received).
The FSG’s Murcia office believes that these two police officers were abusive judging from the way they ended
the festivities.
The Department sent a letter of complaint to the government delegation but received no response.