Romano Missio condemns violence against Romani women following murder in Tampere

Romano Missio and the Finnish Roma community are profoundly disturbed by recent acts of violence, particularly incidents where Romani women have lost their lives. In a recent case in Tampere, a Romani man is suspected of murdering a Romani woman last week, with proceedings regarding the suspect’s detention scheduled for Monday, September 16.

As Finland’s oldest national Romani organization, Romano Missio issued a statement condemning all acts of violence. “Violence against innocent people, especially women and children, is not just a crime against individuals—it is an assault on society as a whole,” the organization stated in its release.

They emphasized that violence never resolves issues but only deepens wounds. The organization also highlighted that each individual should be recognized as such, asserting, “The actions of one individual do not represent the entire Romani community. Isolated acts of violence should not lead to the stigmatization of the entire community or the directing of hatred towards the innocent.”

Currently, members of the Romani community are living in fear and uncertainty. Romano Missio has received hundreds of calls and messages from Romani families across Finland expressing their concerns for their own safety and, particularly, their children’s future. Many feel that these troubling events threaten their status and rights within Finnish society.

The organization noted that marginalization, feelings of exclusion, and societal challenges may drive individuals toward desperate and destructive actions. This is not a defense of violence, but rather a call to society to address these issues before they escalate. “As marginalization deepens, it fosters an environment ripe for radicalization and extreme actions,” the statement cautioned.