Discrimination against Romani people highlighted in Finland report

Discrimination against Romani people is a widespread issue in Finland. In August, a report highlighted an incident where a child of a Romani mother was denied water at a Kotipizza restaurant due to prejudices rooted in a past theft. Kristina Stenman from the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman noted that she handles dozens of cases related to Romani discrimination annually, including incidents where access to grocery stores, campsites, or restaurants has been denied.

Historian Kimmo Granqvist from the University of Helsinki stated that prejudice is prevalent across Europe, affecting both the Romani community and the general population’s perceptions of them. Yle gathered personal experiences from Romani individuals who shared how discrimination permeates their daily lives, including feelings of criminalization associated with their identity.

Examples of negative treatment are numerous. A commonly mentioned situation involves security guards following Romani shoppers in stores, causing discomfort, especially for children who often question these encounters. Ramona Åkerlund-Lehtola from Espoo recalled being unable to enter restaurants as a child, while Dino Roth described being scrutinized due to sharing a name with another Romani individual, and needing to reassure bar staff of his good behavior to gain entry.

Tommi Blomerus emphasized the need for accurate understanding, stating that many Romani individuals do not engage in theft, countering stereotypes with personal lessons he teaches his son. Concerns were also raised about youth in the Romani community facing challenges such as unemployment and substance abuse, with calls for intervention to address these issues. Teresa Stenroth-Nyman stressed the importance of understanding Romani history, advocating for a broader perspective to combat ongoing discrimination.