Indicator history

There is no quantitative data on the level of segregation of Roma, however some reports make evident the fact that Roma experience higher levels than any minority group. Besides being victims of stigma and prejudice from the majority population like other minority groups, Roma are much more likely than the others, to suffer discrimination by public authorities, especially local ones.

The 2002 report on Portugal of the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) refers alleged cases of discrimination of local authorities against the location of Roma accommodation. In 2007 it still lamented that “some Gypsy communities live in the most basic encampments on the outskirts of towns, sometimes without any access to the essential services such as water and electricity”. Furthermore, allegations of discrimination against Roma by some local authorities persisted: some of the latter “have deliberately cut off access for Gypsy communities to water in order to intimidate and humiliate them into leaving”.

A report resulting from a public hearing made by the Assembleia da República [Portuguese Parliament] on the situation of the Portuguese Roma concluded that “the housing situation of the Roma community is very precarious and difficult to solve” and that there is widespread discrimination against Roma citizens: people are generally unwilling to have Roma citizens as neighbours, or to rent or sell them a house and it is usually difficult for Roma citizens to access to mortgages. As to re-housing process the report point to problems like the “concentration of Roma families in council estates, far away from the urban fabric, with poor transport accessibilities” and the “concentration of Roma families with other vulnerable groups”.

Sources:

European Commission on Racism and Intolerance (2002), Second Report on Portugal

European Commission on Racism and Intolerance (2007), Second Report on Portugal

Assembleia da República (2009), Relatório das audições efectuadas sobre Portugueses Ciganos no âmbito do Ano Europeu para o Diálogo Intercultural, Comissão Parlamentar de Ética, Sociedade e Cultura, Sub-Comissão para a Igualdade de Oportunidades e Família, Assembleia da República. [Assembly of the Republic, Report on the public hearings held on Portuguese Roma within the scope of the European Year for Intercultural Dialogue, Parliamentary Commission of Ethics, Society and Culture, Sub-Commission for Equal Opportunities and Family]. Available at http://www.parlamento.pt/sites/COM/Paginas/DetalheNoticia.aspx?BID=2622