Roma Integration in Europe: Why Minority Rights are Failing

Abstract

This article aims to show the current dysfunctional dialogue between the Roma community and activists, national governments and political majorities, and European institutions. Despite the fact that these entities apply a multi faceted approach toward the common goal of improving the situation of the Roma in Europe, their efforts are caught in the vortex of, and to a large extent are immobilized by, the powerful, morally charged social tension between Roma and non-Roma. As this Note will show, the Roma community lacks a unified ethnic identity or strategy, national governments operate under a pervasive lack of political will for Roma integration, and the European authorities advocate and invest in a formalistic application of minority rights, while all ignore the core social tension around the issue of Roma integration. This social tension, formed and solidified over centuries, defines the two-sided animosity and mistrust between Roma and non-Roma and forms a powerful shield against the successful application of legal norms and effective social policies for Roma inclusion.

Keywords: Roma Integration, Minority Rights, European Union Minority Rights

JEL Classification: K33