Romani Political Mobilization from the First International Romani Union Congress to the European Roma, Sinti and Travellers Forum

Abstract

Roma have never united behind or been led by one political body in Europe, nor do they suffer from a lack of political diversity today. Still, there is now more coordination among Romani political activists than ever before. There is one consortium in Europe which provides a political voice to several hundred Romani-run non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across the continent. With the voluntary participation of hundreds of organizations across most of the continent, the European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF) is the closest thing that Roma and other ‘Gypsy’ communities have ever come to a unified voice communicating with European or international institutions. To understand the relationship between Romani civil society and European institutions requires critical reflection upon the ways that Europe addresses and in some cases manipulates Romani politics, and the extent to which Europe listens to Romani political bodies at all. One could discuss at length whether various European bodies take the ERTF seriously. But first, one might ask whether the ERTF merits being taken seriously. One should perhaps look at how the ERTF organizes its own house; does it represent the views and concerns of its affiliated organizations and how are its policies and priorities determined?