Romania apologizes to Roma community

The Romanian government has apologized for the deportation of thousands of Roma to death camps during World War II.

Izvor: Tanjug

Wednesday, 24.10.2007.

10:36

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The Romanian government has apologized for the deportation of thousands of Roma to death camps during World War II. President Traian Basescu yesterday offered an apology on behalf of Romania to the Roma community. Romania apologizes to Roma community It was the first public apology from a Romanian public official since the persecution of Roma during the holocaust. Romania had previously apologized for its role in the murder of Jews. Basescu also presented honors to three Roma holocaust survivors for their faithful services. “The government was merciless. It forced Roma from their homes, cities and the military, sending them out in order to cleanse the nation,” Basescu said. “We have to tell our children that the Romania of six decades ago sent children like them to die of hunger and cold,” Basescu said. More than 25,000 Roma, half of whom were children, were deported from Romania to death camps in Moldavia’s Trans-Dniester region. Between 220,000 and 500,000 Roma were killed during the holocaust. There are 500,000 Romas officially living in Romania, though unofficial estimates put the figure closer to a million. Most Roma live in poverty and face discrimination, not only in Romania but in the majority of European countries. Basescu called on Europe to take steps to integrate Roma into its community. Romania has begun a process of strengthening minority rights, but many Roma still do not have personal identification and are unable to receive social security or healthcare services.

Romania apologizes to Roma community

It was the first public apology from a Romanian public official since the persecution of Roma during the holocaust.

Romania had previously apologized for its role in the murder of Jews. Basescu also presented honors to three Roma holocaust survivors for their faithful services.

“The government was merciless. It forced Roma from their homes, cities and the military, sending them out in order to cleanse the nation,” Basescu said.

“We have to tell our children that the Romania of six decades ago sent children like them to die of hunger and cold,” Basescu said.

More than 25,000 Roma, half of whom were children, were deported from Romania to death camps in Moldavia’s Trans-Dniester region. Between 220,000 and 500,000 Roma were killed during the holocaust.

There are 500,000 Romas officially living in Romania, though unofficial estimates put the figure closer to a million. Most Roma live in poverty and face discrimination, not only in Romania but in the majority of European countries.

Basescu called on Europe to take steps to integrate Roma into its community.

Romania has begun a process of strengthening minority rights, but many Roma still do not have personal identification and are unable to receive social security or healthcare services.

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