Feedback On International Roma Rights Day, the Anti-Discrimination Centre “Memorial” continues to highlight the challenges faced by Roma communities in Ukraine. This year, we are organizing a meeting in Brussels with Roma veterans who voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
This conversation follows a series of publications and studies by ADC “Memorial” dedicated to the situation of Roma in Ukraine throughout different stages of the ongoing war caused by Russian aggression. Previous work includes the animated documentary “Chavoreskero Drom Mariupolestyr” / “Travel of a Roma boy from Mariupol”, about a Roma child who fled from Mariupol, as well as human rights reports such as “Roma from Ukraine: A Year of War and Flight” (2023), “Romani Voices from Hell” (2022), the photo report “For Today, They Don’t Seem to Be Shooting…” (2016–2017), and the early report “Roma and War” (2015).
The event in Brussels is organized by ADC “Memorial” in partnership with the Ukrainian Centre of Romani Studies at Kherson State University. The aim is to bring to the EU capital the voices of Roma residents of Ukraine, who share the hardships of war alongside other Ukrainians—many of whom have chosen to defend their country in uniform. The discussion will focus on how civil society and international organizations can support Roma communities, protect their rights, and offer assistance in these difficult times.
Among the participants are Arsen Medyka, a veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine of Roma origin, and Yanush Panchenko, an expert, researcher, and co-founder of the Ukrainian Centre of Romani Studies at KSU. Yanush was forced to flee the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson region and continues his human rights work in exile.
The event will include a screening of a fragment from a documentary film about Arsen Medyka.
Details about the time and location of the event will be announced soon. Follow ADC “Memorial” on social media for updates.