Frankfurt –Auschwitz, ANTIGYPSYISM AND RACISM IN PAST AND PRESENT

*Mark Bannermann: Gypsy child crime wave grips Europe, ABC News, 29 March 2010

Programme, 11 May 2010

15.30 Registration

16:00 Welcome

16:10 Keynote Speech by Romani Rose, Head of the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma

16:30 Opening of the Exhibition “Frankfurt Auschwitz” Moderated talk between Joachim Brenner (Roma e.V.), Bernd Rausch (artist), Ursula Rose, Maria Strauss and Patrizia Siwak (relatives of Nazi victims)

17:30 Coffee Break

18:00 Antigypsyism: an accepted form of racism in modern Europe? Debate with Dr. Udo Engbring-Romang (Society for the Research of Antigypsyism), María Fernández Molinero (European Commission, Unit Fundamental Rights, DG JLS) and Ivan Ivanov, Director of ERIO (European Roma Information Office)

19:20 Closing remarks by Dr. Cornelia Ernst, Member of the European Parliament, GUE/NGL Group

19:30 Reception

Antigypsyism is deeply rooted in European society. Still today hate-speech against Roma is widely accepted in the media and in public speech. The public conference aims to highlight examples of modern Antigypsyism, experts are going to speak about its background and its worst consequences. The conference aims to give as well a perspective of what can be done to overcome this century-old phenomenon. It will take place on the 11th of May, 2010 in Ave. Michel Ange 11 in Brussels. On the same date the European Parliament holds a Hearing on the genocide of Roma and Sinti in National Socialism (for further information on the Hearing please scroll down).

The conference will be opened by Romani Rose, Head of the Council of German Sinti and Roma. Romani Rose had to experience himself the worst consequences of Antigypsyism: Several members of his family, including his grandparents, were murdered in Nazi concentration camps.

Joachim Brenner from Förderverein Roma e.V., artist Bernd Rausch, Maria Strauss, Ursula Rose and Patrizia Siwak, relatives of victims of National Socialism, will open together the documentary-artistic exhibition "Frankfurt Auschwitz". The exhibition was presented for the first time at the 65th anniversary of the liquidation of the so called "Zigeunerlager" in Auschwitz in August, 1944. It names the culprits, speaks about the fate of Roma and Sinti in Auschwitz and highlights the memories of victims and survivors. Pictures by the German artist Bernd Rausch speak about the effacement of individuals as well as of the community Roma and Sinti in National Socialism. The exhibition can be visited in the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation until the 11th of June, 2010. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Further, there will be a debate on “Antigypsyism: an accepted form of racism in modern Europe?” In the debate Dr. Udo Engbring-Romang from the Society for the Research of Antigypsyism will show examples of Antigypsyism in contemporary research and in the media. María Fernández Molinero from the European Commission, responsible for the implementation of the Framework Decision on combating racism and xenophobia, will give an overview on the most recent developments of the EU legislation in the fight against racism. Ivan Ivanov, director of the European Roma Information Office (ERIO), will share his personal and professional experiences in fighting Antigypsyism from the European level.

The conference will be closed by Dr. Cornelia Ernst. In her work as a member of the European Parliament Cornelia Ernst is vigorously fighting the current deportations of Kosovo Roma in Germany, thereby emphasizing Germany´s historic responsibility towards the Roma.

ROSA LUXEMBURG FOUNDATION BRUSSELS OFFICE "Some […] want the Gypsies killed*" ANTIGYPSYISM AND RACISM IN PAST AND PRESENT EUROPE Conference and exhibition

ROSA LUXEMBURG FOUNDATION BRUSSELS OFFICE

"Some […] want the Gypsies killed"

ANTIGYPSYISM AND RACISM IN PAST AND PRESENT EUROPE

Conference and exhibition*