In the recent years

The post-1989 era in Europe has seen an outbreak of intense anti-Romani sentiment in both Eastern and Western Europe.
Systematic persecution of Roma took place in countries including Albania, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine and Yugoslavia. Racist movements have also arisen and targeted Roma for attack.
Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom have all featured episodes of public panic, fuelled by alarmist media reports of "Gypsy invasions" and similar.

In 1999, the Romani community of Europe suffered the worst catastrophe it has endured since World War II when, following the end of NATO military action in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the withdrawal of Yugoslav forces from Kosovo, ethnic Albanians undertook a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Roma and other persons perceived to be "Gypsies".

At present, anti-Romani sentiment is present in most, if not all, European societies and is extremely high in some countries. In the last decade, the number of episodes of violence and razism against the Roma increased, in a clime of impunity. In both new and old Member States, these communities continue to experience marked discrimination and social exclusion, and to encounter difficulties in gaining unhindered and equal access to employment, education, social security, healthcare, housing, other public services and justice. Romani women face even more difficulties.

The treatment of Roma is today among the most pressing political, social and human rights issues facing Europe.

Source: "The situation of Roma in an enlarged European Union", publication of the European Commission.

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