Recognition of the Holocaust of Sinti and Roma in Europe

April 15, 2015 marked a historical moment. The European Parliament voted with an overwhelming majority to finally adopt a resolution which recognises the historical fact of the genocide of Sinti and Roma that took place during World War II. It also acknowledged that at least 500,000 Sinti and Roma were exterminated by the Nazi regime and their allies, whereby in some countries more than 80 per cent of the Sinti and Roma population was killed. The resolution established 2 August as the European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day.

2 August had been chosen by Sinti and Roma organisations as the day to commemorate all Sinti and Roma victims of the Holocaust. On 2 August 1944, the last remaining 4,200 – 4,300 Sinti and Roma in what the SS called the “gypsy family camp” in Auschwitz-Birkenau were killed. The recognition by the European Parliament constituted an important symbolic step in the fight against antigypsyism and contributed to general knowledge of Roma history in Europe.

The Parliament also called on the Member States to officially recognise the genocide and other forms of persecution of Sinti and Roma such as deportation and internment that took place during World War II. Already in 2011, the Polish parliament had recognised 2 August as a memorial day, and Croatia followed in 2012. In 2016, former French President Hollande acknowledged a “broad responsibility” of France for its collaboration to intern some 6,500 Roma in 31 French camps before being deported to concentration camps. Nevertheless, around Europe much remains to be done regarding recognition, remembrance, research and education about the Genocide of Sinti and Roma, in particular to preserve endangered memorial sites such as in Lety u Pisku in the Czech Republic and Komárom in Hungary.

Link: Resolution of the European Parliament of 2015