In spite of the new political climate in Belgrade, nationalism has not disappeared—it's just well disguised. And the new authorities are ill-prepared to deal with the situation, which is growing increasingly out of control.
The change of regimes in Belgrade has brought on, among other things, a new policy towards national minorities. With an eye towards EU membership, the new leadership has taken a markedly different approach and is pushing to bring minority laws in line with European standards. On the other hand, the policies of Milošević's regime that gripped the country for ten years have proven difficult to get rid of.
The rock, the hard place and the Roma
Stuck in the middle of this dichotomy is the Roma community. In the last few months, several nationalist-motivated attacks have been carried out against Roma citizens.
For example, several such incidents were reported during the week of Romani culture, "Vareso aver," which was organized by the Federal Ministry of national minorities. A radical nationalist group sprayed anti-Roma graffiti around Belgrade. A few days later, skinheads attacked artists from one Romani theater in Belgrade. Another Rom was attacked in Vojvodina, because he had a Serbian girlfriend.
The main issue facing the Roma in Yugoslavia is the recognition of their national status. Officially, there are approximately 150,000 Roma in Yugoslavia; however, unofficial estimates put the number closer to 500,000. Until now, the Roma were an ethnic group, and not a national
minority, according to the law, and this has been the main problem. Under the law, ethnic groups do not have the possibility to study officially in their language, and this has contributed to the alienation of the Roma people in Yugoslavia.
Political division has further weakened the Roma. The community is divided into several different political parties. Instead of taking advantage of the synergy of joining forces, they continue to disagree. Currently, there are only two Roma in leadership positions in the country. Dejan Marković is a member of the Belgrade city government, and Osman Balić is a member of the Niš city government.
Making a difference elsewhere
Domestic political ineffectiveness has not stopped Yugoslav Roma from playing a very important role in the International Romani Union (IRU) during the past 20 years. Several Yugoslav Roma are involved in the internal structures of the IRU, including the first president of the organization, Slobodan Berberski. Sait Balić and Rajko Djurić, both Yugoslav Roma, have also held the presidency of the IRU.
Politics aside, cultural initiatives are spreading rapidly through the region. One of the most ambitious projects is the European Roma Cultural Center, which is the result of initiative by the Roma from Yugoslavia. The Center's goal is to create an international institution for the creation, promotion and dissemination of Romani arts, with the aim of their full integration among other European cultures.
Dragan Ristić, 21 May 2001
Moving on:
