Between Past and Future: The Roma of Central and Eastern Europe

This book brings together opinions and interpretations that focus on the reality of the Romani situation in Central and Eastern Europe. It analyses why and how the Roma have become victims of political and economic post Communist restructuring and explains the background to the mass unemployment, increasing segregation, racism and attempts at ethnic cleansing. At the same time it charts Roma political mobilisation and growing resistance to oppression. The book also examines the difficulties of conceptualising Roma, a multicultural diaspora with overlapping identities. For former communist states applying to join the European Union, the situation of Roma has become urgent since their entry requires a guarantee of respect for minorities. The contributors fear that such political concerns may override those for human rights and emphasise the need for a new political resolve to address the integration of the Roma. The book includes a full account of the Fifth World Romani Congress held in Prague in July 2000.