Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many Ukrainians have been forced to leave their country. Among them, around 100,000 Roma left their country. Monitoring reports show that in addition to challenges faced during their journey, many Roma face discrimination and a lack of acceptance as refugees. All refugees are vulnerable. Romnja (term for Roma women) from Ukraine face three overlapping forms of discrimination: As women, as refugees and as victims of racism ("anti-Romaism").
There is a lack of research into these intersectional discrimination experiences of Romnja refugees. To address this gap, a team from FU Berlin and Weiterdenken - Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Sachsen undertook a field research in April 2023. The one-week long trip included field research in Budapest and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg. There, they conducted interviews with refugees and civil society organisations, and visited housing facilities at the Ukrainian-Hungarian border (around Tiszabecs). Five expert interviews and four narrative interviews were conducted with fleeing Romnja. They recounted their flight experience and current situation in Hungary.
At the event, the research results were presented. Afterwards, representatives of local and international NGOs gave an insight during a guided panel discussion. Organisations included: RomaVersitas, border-monitoring and Association of Roma women "Voice of Romni". They delivered an update on the current situation regarding discrimination against Romnja from Ukraine in Hungary.
Intersectional Discrimination of Roma refugees in Hungary - Bildungswerk Berlin der Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
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This project is a cooperation between Weiterdenken - Heinrich Böll Foundation Saxony and Bildungswerk Berlin of the Heinrich Böll Foundation Berlin, as well as Heinrich Böll Foundation Prague, the regional office that coordinates the foundation's activities in Hungary.