Roma reps discuss ways to address issues of their community
Šentjernej, 27 November - The Forum of Roma Local Councillors met behind closed doors on Wednesday to discuss ways to improve the situation of the Roma community and avoid incidents, such as those seen this summer, among them several assaults, shootings and robberies.
Žabjek - Brezje
The Roma settlement Žabjak - Brezje.
Photo: Tamino Petelinšek/STA
File photo
Talking to the press on the sidelines of the meeting in Šentjernej, forum President Darko Rudaš said that the situation was worst in southeastern Slovenia.
He cited analyses that showed criminal behaviour by Roma individuals was on the rise, therefore the law enforcement should adopt a more decisive approach. "It is not good that the matters escalate."
Rudaš warned that the criminal behaviour should not be attributed to the entire community. The individual perpetrators "should be appropriately sanctioned for their actions. It is not right that their actions cast a shadow on the entire Roma community".
While prosecution of crime is above all in the hands of the police and the prosecution, "repression is not everything, much can be addressed with a preventive approach," said Rudaš, saying that better housing conditions would help, as it would be easier for them to adapt and for other people to accept them.
He believes that more jobs should be available to the Roma, as this would lower criminal activity. The state could help, Rudaš said, adding that Slovenia had issued many work permits for foreigners last year for seasonal jobs which could be performed by the Roma.
He believes this would create enough jobs for half of the Roma population in the country.
But above all, kindergarten and school attendance must be improved. "In southeastern Slovenia, a new generation must adopt a different mentality and set different expectations for themselves.
"Until such a generation is built, it will be hard to develop positive patterns among all others. And we all have a role to play in this."