Remembering the Roma Holocaust: Honouring a Forgotten Tragedy
On this solemn day, we pause to honour the memory of the hundreds of thousands of Roma men, women, and children who perished during the Holocaust under Nazi rule — a chapter of history that remains gravely under-acknowledged.
The Roma Holocaust, also known as the Porajmos (meaning “the Devouring” in Romani), led to the murder of more than 500,000 Roma people across Europe. From forced sterilizations and deportations to mass executions in concentration camps like Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Roma community was subjected to unimaginable brutality and systematic persecution.
️ A Decade of Recognition
Today marks 10 years since the European Union officially recognised August 2nd as the Roma Holocaust Memorial Day. This acknowledgment was a significant step toward justice and remembrance, ensuring that this dark history is neither forgotten nor repeated.
While the recognition is a milestone, it is only the beginning. Awareness and education remain critical, as Roma voices continue to be marginalized and the community still faces discrimination and exclusion across many parts of Europe.
Standing Against Antigypsyism
The Roma Holocaust is not just a tragic memory — it is a warning. Antigypsyism, or prejudice and hostility toward Roma people, still thrives today in various forms: racial profiling, hate speech, unequal access to education and healthcare, and political scapegoating.
On this day, and every day, we stand united against antigypsyism. Honouring the past must go hand-in-hand with creating a future grounded in equality, dignity, and justice for Roma communities across the globe.
️ Let remembrance be our responsibility, and justice our shared mission.
