PUBLIC STATEMENT
#RomanyLivesImport
It has to be said #Dosta #Enough
The Union Romani
Iternational - IRU/ Office Agency Brazil, through the AMSK/Brazil office and
its delegates/members from Brazil and Argentina, AICRON/Brazil, Observatorio de
Mujeres Gitanas/AR - BR, Leshjae Kumpanja, ZOR/AR, Romani Federation and Romani
Academy of Letters, Urban Nomads and their state representatives,
hereby express their concern over the escalating violence that has been
taking place in the state of Bahia since July 13, 2021 - in the municipality of
Vitória da Conquista and its surroundings.
#VidasRomanyImportam
"These are days of terror" say some, others report scenes
of slaughter, dead and burning of cars and houses. In the middle of this
outburst of yet another episode of violence are: a teenager, women who are
victims of gunfire, children and the elderly.
We need to talk about the media headlines that remove the identity of
these people and cohere with the ever-present headlines, "Gypsies
kill," in a clear reference to the centuries-old racism that we call anti-Gypsyism or Romaphobia.
All of them, including the dead police officers, had
identification, documentation and registration. These people need to be
identified so as not to pre-judge with
condemnatory headlines, even before the conclusion of the police
investigation. It is necessary to turn to the human person (without value
judgment on the fact), but respecting the individual. These men did belong to
an ethnic group, they had children, wives, relatives and friends. The pain of death in such
brutal circumstances is the same for everyone, without distinction.
They asked me today: "Are you a gypsy,
right? I was afraid, I said no".
Multiple, conflicting
information generates fear and panic among the residents, and feeds a culture
of hate that reinforces secular stereotypes.
Some reports are so
serious that it is necessary to build a safe channel for investigation and
support, especially for women and children who, once again, are easily
identified in the region (by the typical clothing of the ethnic family arm) and
are therefore more exposed to threats and intimidation.
"There are rumors
of torture practice ... but nobody wants to talk"
We need to talk about
the countless conflicts involving firearms, with fatal victims, including the
"so-called gypsies". It should be noted that the term
"gypsy" already carries with it a lot of prejudice and
discrimination. It is necessary to think about disarmament.
What happened on July
13, 14 and 15, 2021, in the city of Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, needs to serve
as a warning to all the segments of the Justice System in the country, that we
can't pretend that we do... neither want us to think about safer days.
We need a national
campaign for the "Culture of Peace",
against the "Culture of Hate". The recognition of the Human Person as
an individual, in order to be able to break away from the stigma of murderers,
gangs, among others... again condemning an entire ethnic group to the detriment
of a few.
There are reports of
violations of homes and residences, fires, and destruction of goods and
property. It is necessary to put a stop
to "scapegoating" - several excerpts from the news and headlines
remind us of expressions from the last century, absurd headlines.
It is urgent to activate
the child and adolescent protection network. Enough with the kidnappings, enough with
the public condemnation of an entire ethnic group, where the supposed deeds of
a few condemn everyone and spread panic.
Violence feedbacks on misinformation and we
can no longer accept absurd expressions such as: "CPF Cancelled" in
communication vehicles.
The information of the death of Moraes da
Silva Matos, 14 years old, forces us to take a look at the reality of the
adolescents of Romani ethnicity in the country. Several children, boys and
girls, are orphans today and need to be an absolute
priority term guaranteed by the Federal Constitution of 1988 and by the Statute of the Children and Adolescent, and
need to be respected and welcomed.
"Legal uncertainty vs. controversial
information"
The fact is that this year alone there have
been numerous confrontations with the police envolving "so-called
gypsies" in Brazil.
It is necessary to demand political
responsibility, since "the Gypsies", are holders of voting titles and
are Brazilians. Their lives matter, beyond the electoral period.
It is necessary to obtain reliable and
responsible information. A realistic investigation of the facts and events in
the region of the city of Vitória da Conquista - BA.
We continue to monitor, propose solutions,
and expose the realities of the actions that should already be underway in the
country. Unfortunately and once again, since 2011, we are speaking out and
alerting the competent authorities. Since the year 2019, we are alerting to the
increasing escalation of violence against the "Romani Peoples", not
only in Brazil but also in the world.
And before someone
says "it doesn't affect me". Think about it! Tomorrow it could be
you. Because when you condemn an entire ethnic group, you can't feel safe.
