Roma Integration Netherlands, Developments in 2013

Peter Jorna, Consultancy Social inclusion – Roma & Sinti Issues (26 June 2014)
INTEGRATION OF ROMA, SINTI AND TRAVELLERS COMMUNITIES IN DUTCH SOCIETY 20131
I. Implementation of action plans, policies, and measures aimed at Roma integration
After the gradual upgrading on the political agenda since 2009, Roma issues remained on the
radar in the Netherlands. In 2013 , a number of relevant activities took place and several
documents were published following up (in)directly on the Dutch contribution submitted
to the European Commission in 2011 for the EU Framework National Roma Integration
Strategies.
First of all, a national conference took place on March 14, titled ‘Multi Problem Families with
a Roma background, towards a switching between care, law enforcement and investigation’.
The event brought 150 professionals together from all over the country and was organized
by the Ministry of Security and Justice in cooperation with the Association of Dutch
Municipalities (VNG), Police Academy and the Platform Roma Municipalities. On this
occasion a book was presented to the minister, based on a research carried out by the Police
Academy and commissioned by the ministry of Safety and Justice, titled ‘Multi-Problem
approach for families with a Roma background’.
The Police Academy started the programme in January 2011 after consultations between the
ministry of Home Affairs and national chiefs of police. Goal of this study was to build on
knowledge, knowhow and expertise of and for professionals working in this particular field,
in order to improve an efficient cooperation between all partners involved on local as well as
national level. Desk research has been carried out and relevant respondents were
interviewed in four indicated experiments called ‘Proeftuingemeenten’ (the municipalities of
Nieuwegein, Veldhoven, Ede, Lelystad). In addition 21 key persons were interviewed,
selected from the police, educational and social institutions, ministries, Public Prosecution
Service, Child Protection, Platform Roma Municipalities.
The research is part of the programme developed by the ministry of Safety and Justice, titled
‘Combat of crime in general and exploitation of Roma children by members of the Roma
community’, as referred to in the national set of general policy measures on Roma Inclusion.
The programme follows three tracks: 1) Strengthen and safeguarding knowledge by
collecting data and carrying out research in order to facilitate an individualised and
comprehensive approach, 2) Implementation through four experiments (municipalities)
based on the method of ‘Carrot and Stick’, 3) to combat the cross border aspects of child
exploitation and criminality through European cooperation.
Attention to this issue was also raised in parliament, when coalition parties questioned the
minister after media exposure of the involvement of Roma children in criminal activities.
The Ministers of Safety and Justice, and of Social Affairs and Employment responded by a
1
This document by Peter Jorna (Consultancy Social Inclusion, Roma & Sinti Issues) is based on his contribution
to Dutch FRANET in function of the overall FRA Annual Report on Fundamental Rights 2013 (June 2014).

joint letter referring to the findings of the study. The minister referred to the evaluation of
the programme, foreseen at the end of the year, and decided to extend the financial support
(60.000 Euro) of the Platform Roma Municipalities for another year (2013). The Roma
Strategy was conceived as a means to handle international exchange with other European
countries as well as to tackle human trafficking including child abuse. Instrumental to this
are, according to the government, the National Roma Contact Points of the European
Commission and the monitoring study on the four main NSRI domains (education,
employment, housing, public healthcare) added to the initial Dutch priority program.
A corresponding initiative was taken by the Netherlands through the creation of a European
working Group on Child Abuse, announced by the Dutch National Roma Contact Point on the
occasion of the 8th EU Roma-Platform - dedicated to Children and Youth –. This European
Working group chaired by the Netherlands had been joined so far by Poland, Czech Republic,
Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia.
Shortly after these initiatives are mentioned in a letter of the minister of Foreign Affairs to
Parliament discussing the EC (draft) proposal of June 26 for a Council Recommendation on
effective Roma integration measures in the Member States. In this letter the government
expressed its appreciation for the fact that the European Commission explicitly mentions the
combat of child abuse and protection of women in its communications (‘to the contrary of
the earlier communication of 2011’). The minister reiterated the Dutch approach and its
justifications, which is also reflected in budgetary terms. The government sees no cause to
assign additional financial means to the set of policy measures, as it does not support direct
budget allocation to any specific target groups in Dutch society.
Sinti & Roma Inclusion Monitor
At the advice of the European Commission the Netherlands decided to conduct a monitoring
study on Roma inclusion, the minister of Foreign Affairs continued, to be implemented every
two years, taking into account the four EC domains plus the Dutch priority on child abuse
and early marriage. The government underlined that this will be a qualitative study, since
the Roma are not registered as such in the municipal personal records database
(Gemeentelijke Basisadministratie/GBA), which makes quantitative monitoring difficult.
The Monitor, commissioned by the ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, was carried
out in 2013 by Movisie, Netherlands Centre for social issues. This base line research started
in January, its report being delivered in July 2013 and finally published at the end of the
year.
The researchers qualify the results as ‘indicative’ and not ‘representative’, as the Monitor
only follows a qualitative methodology in which professionals and Sinti and Roma are asked
to express their opinions about the social inclusion of Roma and Sinti on the domains
education, work, housing, health and safety.

All in all the research reached 99 unique respondents, of which 68 took part in organized
meetings (‘work sessions’): 60 professionals and 8 respondents from the category of ‘Roma /
Sinti’. Additionally, in-depth interviews were held with 36 respondents, 14 of which were
professionals and 22 ‘Roma / Sinti’. Furthermore, a questionnaire (‘a list of topics and
statements’), including ‘expectations for the next five years’, was filled in by 68 out of the 99
respondents (13 Roma/Sinti, 55 professionals). In addition the researchers consulted
relevant literature. The research was accompanied by an Advisory Committee in which
central and local authorities were represented. Initially, one Roma representative was part
of the Advisory Committee, but she left the Committee after two preparatory meetings
because of ‘mixed feelings’.
Compared to the initial Dutch EC contribution on policy measures relating Roma (December
2011), the Monitor defines the target group more inclusively, namely Roma as well as Sinti.
However, Roma-newcomers such as the refugees in the nineties of the twentieth century
and those immigrating since the EU enlargement period, have been largely left out. In
addition to the indicated research fields (education, employment, housing and health/care) ,
the Monitor introduced the additional domain Safety, a common denominator referring to
various forms of law offending behaviour. Criminality is treated (including child abuse and
early marriage, but also discrimination (in relation to Dutch society as well as ‘intra group’,
towards Romani women and children). The Monitor added a chapter too on contacts and
relationship with public authorities.
Main findings of the Dutch Roma and Sinti Inclusion baseline Monitor (not translated in
English yet) are described in its Summary. Only Monitor observations taken over and
provided with measures in the ministerial letter will be treated briefly here.
As there is no mentioning of the existence of an English version of the Monitor, major
findings will be briefed here, including – where relevant – the descriptions or qualifications
used in the text of the Summary between quotation marks.
The Monitor classifies Education as the domain ‘most extensively researched when it comes
to social inclusion’. Primary education is judged by most respondents as proceeding
‘reasonably’ when it comes to enrolment, participation and finishing, Although participation
in secondary education is ‘growing’, school dropout among youngsters of 15/16 years
especially remains to give reason for concern. A variety of influencing factors are mentioned:
a lack of perspective on the labour market (boys) and the focus on house holding (girls),
scarcity of trainee posts, outright discrimination and ‘attitude’. Early childhood education
leaves room for improvement too (participation in pre-school arrangements).
Education and (perceived) discrimination is mentioned to have an impact on Work
(perspectives). However, ‘more and more’ Sinti and Roma acquire a job, as is notified by the
respondents. Undefined is the extense of this trend. Employed Sinti and Roma prefer to hide
their identity avoiding discrimination. Preference, still, is given to self-employment but

regulations and administration hamper a sound start or are conducive to operating in the
margins (‘grey circuits’ or ‘black markets’). Dependence on social benefits is mentioned as an
alternative income and poverty occurs within ‘certain Sinti and Roma circles’.
Poverty and debts are affecting (access to) Housing, states the Monitor, even more so when
administrative obligations are intensifying. Residents might protest to ‘gypsies’ settling in,
referring to expected or existing nuisance. Differing ‘style of living’ is mentioned, coming to
the surface for example on special family occasions (extensive visits, from other places and
abroad) and because of small, nuclear family based housings. ‘Living together’ is reported as
an important factor, especially on a campsite and in a mobile home. Some municipalities
participating in the Monitor continue maintaining one or more campsites, others discourage
this life style.
Increased poverty observed among Sinti and Roma has its impact on Health in its mental and
physical aspects as well as in terms of healthcare, the Monitor states. Respondents refer to
obesitas and depression, and a lower life expectancy among Sinti and Roma as compared to
the Dutch population at large. Topics related to sexuality, disease and death are difficult to
touch upon and occasionally tabooed. On the other hand, changes are reported as well, for
instance relating teenage pregnancies (the age tends to rise gradually).
Safety is the most extensively treated domain in the Monitor. Relating this domain, crucial
changes in traditional patterns are reported (between men and women, between elder and
younger generations). Generation- and role conflicts come to the surface, for instance when
alternative options and available choices concerning mates and marriage partners occur.
Other topics are treated such as the occurrence of (honour related) violence, variable forms
of police performance, accessibility of housing and work (especially in case of statelessness),
(underreporting of) discrimination and negative stereotyping of Roma and Sinti in Dutch
society.
Criminality is specified by respondents as petty crime, shoplifting, swindle and black market.
Respondents consider human trafficking and forced prostitution (reported in literature)
more of an ‘eastern European matter’ than occurring among Dutch Roma and Sinti.
Involvement of children in petty crime ‘might occur among certain Roma-families indicated
as multi problem families’.
Finally, the Monitor introduced a separate chapter on Contacts and relations with public
authorities. Considering the challenges that lie ahead of both Sinti, Roma and municipalities,
the Monitor states that ‘there is an effort to be made’. Despite the progress made, contact is
‘sometimes stiff’. Relating the national government, the attitude of Sinti appears to be
coloured by the process of World War Two compensation, specifically concerning the
allocation of the remaining funds. On the local level, the situation in municipalities shows a
large deal of variety. Generally Sinti and Roma don’t feel taken seriously or involved in
policies to them concerned, while public authorities and professionals consider Sinti and

Roma as ‘closed’. The Monitor ends with the observation that ‘investment in a good contact
between Roma and Sinti and (local) public authorities is very important on all domains –
education, work, housing, healthcare and safety’.
Examples of such investments in good contact are mentioned by the Monitor elsewhere in
the report, for instance profiling Roma and Sinti role models , or employing mediators and
facilitating organisations . These good practices, the Monitor states, appeared not
sustainable, mainly due to lack of continued financing. In an Epilogue the Monitor refers to
currently existing projects: the supralocal Platform Roma Municipalities and the related local
experiments on multi problems in the four municipalities.
As the Movisie project group stated already in its Memo to all persons interested, Sinti and
Roma inclusively (February 2013), the Inclusion Monitor does not pretend to ‘provide
solutions to the problems and bottlenecks experienced’, referring to the descriptive
approach. However, in a paragraph titled ‘How could Roma and Sinti possibly benefit’, the
project group defines explicitly a threefold answer to ‘how this information could contribute
to an improvement of the position of the Roma and Sinti in the Netherlands’:
• ‘Interest-organisations could use the description to address public authorities
concerning their situation. They could use the information in a project proposal, for instance
to be submitted to a private funds.’
• ‘National as well as local governments can use the description to make an effort in
order to improve the position of the Roma and Sinti’.
• ‘Movisie inquires people with a Roma and Sinti background as well as others involved
about their wishes for the future’.
Although the project group came up with several recommendations, in the end the Monitor
has been ‘restricted to its descriptive assignment’. According to the project group, the main
recommendation – the one already mentioned - shows up in the Summary: to ‘invest in the
good contact between Roma and Sinti and the (local) public authority, on all domains:
education, housing, health and safety’. In the Epilogue, when it finally comes to ‘Future
challenges’, another recommendation might have been implicitly built in: ‘Changes seem to
have a chance when Roma and Sinti are pivot in this process’. Publication of the Monitor
was pending since Summer 2013, dependent on the accompanying interdepartmental
letter. Although this letter - dated 11 October 2013 - remained unchanged, it took another
timespan before the letter and the report were sent to Parliament (2 December 2013).
Ministerial Letter to the Monitor (December 2013)
The letter is a joint response to the Monitor by the minister of Social Affairs and
Employment (National Roma Contact Point and coordinating the Dutch Integration Agenda
in general), the minister of Safety and Justice, and the state secretary of Education, Culture

and Science. The letter states in its introduction that the Monitor is the result of the
European Commission’s advice to measure every two years ‘the impact of Dutch mainstream
policies on the situation of Roma and Sinti’. The ministry of Social Affairs and Employment
commissioned Movisie to carry out the baseline Monitor as far as the qualitative
methodological aspects are concerned. The decision to not include the quantitative aspect
of monitoring is argued as ‘not really possible, among others because Roma and Sinti are not
registered in the local administrations (Gemeentelijke Basis Administratie/GBA’). The
implication of this decision is mentioned (‘the results of this Monitor are indicative, not
representative’) and underlined is that the annexed report ‘provides insight how different
people, professionals as well as Roma and Sinti, think about the situation of Roma and Sinti’.
Finally, the letter states in its introduction that ‘Roma and Sinti don’t know of representative
organisations’ and that the Monitor takes, ‘the diversity of Roma and Sinti in the
Netherlands as much as possible into account’.
In the next paragraph called ‘The position of Roma and Sinti in Dutch society’ the letter
focuses on the findings of the Monitor. According to the government the Monitor shows in
its essence ‘a large gap between some Roma and Sinti groups and other groups in the
Netherlands, in terms of lifestyles and views, such as young people need to go to school and
criminality is punishable as well as undesirable in society’. Key message is that ‘a large part
of the Roma and Sinti population has not internalized the core values of Dutch society (yet)’,
which ‘hampers a quickly making up the backlog’. The gap mentioned before is explained by
a ‘cultural-historical background, partly due to the characteristic of the closed Roma and
Sinti culture’. This presumed closed Roma and Sinti culture is ‘based also in the traumatic
experiences from the past, such as the persecution of Roma and Sinti during World War
Two, and the concomitant mistrust of some Roma and Sinti against public institutions’.
The letter refers as well to ‘a number of positive developments’ pointed out in the report ,
but concludes that (the summarized) problems are predominating in the Monitor. The letter
treats in its final paragraph, titled ‘Participation and setting boundaries’, measures tackling
the problems considered.
At forehand, the national government mentions the Platform Roma Municipalities to be key
partner, generating ‘perspectives and sharing best practices regarding law enforcement and
integration’. This governmental body of mayors and aldermen is linked to the overall
Association of Dutch Municipalities (Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten/VNG).
Members of this Platform are Amsterdam Zuid-Oost, Capelle aan den IJssel, Ede, Enschede,
Lelystad, Nieuwegein, Oldenzaal, ’s-Hertogenbosch, Utrecht, Nuenen and Veldhoven.
In short, the government draws five conclusions from the Monitor and connects the
following measures to the problems derived:

- ‘The Monitor shows that Roma and Sinti participation falls short in early childhood
education (Voor- en vroegschoolse education / VVE)’.
In 2013 all Dutch municipalities will have agreed upon a covenant with partners concerned
(such as health centres and Inspection Healthcare), to trace targeted (‘vulnerable’) children,
refer them to VVE institutions for participation in VVE (2015), as indicated by the state
secretary of Education, Culture and Science.
- ‘According to the Monitor, school dropout among adolescents from 15/16 years on is
relatively high’.
The minister of Education, Culture and Science is responsible for the Program Offensive to
School dropout (2006), aiming to reduce the number of adolescents leaving school without
start qualifications to 25.000 individuals (2016). Currently this program is halfway (35.000).
Another Action plan (Youth Unemployment) aims to upgrade the number of Apprenticeships
/ Trainee posts in vocational training.
About the combat of fraud (inclusively registering Roma and Sinti either in or leaving
municipalities in order to escape compulsory education, youth care or social security
supplements) a national approach will be published at the end of 2013.
- ‘The experience of discrimination, especially on the labour market, appears to be one
of the conclusions most often mentioned in the Monitor’.
Local provisions and facilities are at place for reporting discrimination, the letter states,
according to the Law Municipal Anti-discrimination Provisions (Wet Gemeentelijke Anti-
discriminatievoorzieningen).
- ‘Explicitly mentioned in the Monitor is the unsafety among Roma and Sinti
themselves as well as the alleged forms of criminal behaviour’.
The ministry of Justice is implementing (2011-2013) the Program Approach exploitation of
Roma children together, with the police, public prosecutor, Councils of Child protection and
Youth Care. Jurisprudence is generated: ‘theft in association’ and forced marriage relating
minors, possibly indicated as human trafficking; cases of serious truancy are brought to
court.
Reference is made, too, towards another program called Multi-problem families with a
Roma background, inclusively the book published in March 2013 under the same title. This
publication is meant to be a tool for professionals (‘chain partners’) working on the local
level. Four of the Roma municipalities are selected as experimental (‘proeftuingemeenten’)
in this program, being Lelystad, Ede, Nieuwegein and Veldhoven.
- ‘The Monitor ascertains among Roma and Sinti that forced marriages and cast off
occurs, and the rights of self-determination are under pressure’.

Roma and Sinti communities are considered to be key in realising a change in mentality, by
bringing these subjects to their agenda and communicate them. Capacity building is aimed at
professionals in healthcare and education. Recently, the penal approach of forces marriage
has been expanded.
International cooperation is considered another important measure relating these five
Monitor conclusions. To affirm this, the letter refers to the recently published Dutch
research (2011-2013) carried out by cultural criminologist professor Diena Siegel on itinerant
(mobile) bands from eastern- and central European origin operating in the Netherlands.
The importance and membership of multilateral networks is stressed at this point: the
European Multi-disciplinary Platform against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) in which the
Netherlands is leading together with the UK (project Human Trafficking), the National Roma
Contact Points Network and the Working group on Roma Child Abuse of which the
Netherlands is chair.
The letter ends by stating that the situation of the Roma in Romania and Bulgaria to be
‘reason for concern’ and ‘an important push factor’.
II. National Roma integration Strategies
In 2013, projects nor any earmarked funds are directly related to the NRIS. However, some
activities explicitly related to Roma and Sinti do exist in some of the domains mentioned
below (especially education). Justice will be briefly dealt with in the funding paragraph (7.4).
Directly related to the NRIS (or: ‘Dutch set of general policy measures’) is the development
and implementation in 2013 of the qualitative baseline Monitor Inclusion Roma and Sinti,
budgeted by the national government at 120.000 Euro.
EDUCATION
No specific Roma related measures can be reported to improve access to early childhood
education and care. The same goes for preventing segregation in education and for
additional support measures for Roma in education (for example, teaching, and learning
programmes in the Romani, language, mediation, after-school learning, parental education,
second-chance classes, awareness raising, etc.), nor specific Roma related measures
concerning tertiary education and/or vocational training (promotion, access, increase
enrolment).
However, regarding primary education there are measures ensuring Roma children to
complete at least primary school education.
Still in existence in 2013, for instance, is the phenomenon of ‘Class assistants’ on primary
schools, recruited from the (Sinti) communities: usually called intermediairs (‘mediators’)
because of the outreaching work (helping hands in classrooms and extracurricular activities,

homework, preschool class, and mediating between schools-pupils-parents). Of the several
educative part-time mediators starting in 2002 (all Sinti cultural background and female)
three are still employed and budgeted by both primary schools and municipalities (2013).
Two positive examples in this respect can be reported, in the ‘Sinti- municipalities’ of
Nuenen-Gerwen and Gemert. Whereas in Nuenen this part-time mediator function -
implemented by the same Sinti-woman since 2002- is budgeted by the school since 2010. In
Gemert the funding (12.000 Euro a year) is a three-way construction maintained by the
school, the municipality and the then existing Netherlands Institute Sinti and Roma (NISR,
extinct in 2012). In 2013 the latter part is even paid for by the mediator herself with her
NISR-redundancy compensation (on her own decision), in order to continue the work she
considers important. One searches for more structural solutions in 2014, expanding towards
preschool and secondary education.
A network exists of 10 education-counsellors for Sinti, Roma and Travellers, mediating
between schools-pupils-parents and employed by education supporting services (facilities
provided / maintained by municipalities).
Besides, the Ministry of Education offers primary and secondary school boards the
possibility (at a yearly base) to apply for extra state budgets relating pupils in need, to be
allocated for purposes of personnel, pupils and material. Among the seven groups
distinguished for targeted budgeting are ‘Zigeunerkinderen’ ('Gipsy children') (Art. 28),
conditioned by: ‘a minimum of 4 pupils with a cultural background of Roma and Sinti,
registered at that particular school’ at the beginning and the end of the year’.
At request the ministry of Education, Culture and Science informed on the number of
primary schools (32) benefitting from the measure in 2013 as well as about the amount of
money involved (612.450 Euro).
- In addition: a National Information and Support Point Specific Target groups (Landelijk
Informatie- en Steunpunt Specifieke Doelgroepen / LISD) is safeguarding expertise, networks
and monitoring, targeted to the following specified vulnerable groups: children of asylum
seekers, scippers, Travellers, Roma and Sinti. This function is jointly carried out by KPCgroep
(former Catholic Pedagogical Centre) and the expertise centre on Curricula Development
(Stichting Leermiddelen Ontwikkeling / SLO).
- Monitoring Travellers, Roma and Sinti: Monitor 2010 – 2011, KPCgroep (ten primary
schools with education-counsellors). Next monitor is foreseen in 2015. The facility (in
operation since 1985) was due to disappear in 2013 (budgetary cuts) but has been extended
to 2013-2018. For the education monitoring study no specific governmental funds are
involved. SLO will take over the website from KPCgroep, acquiring to this end 21.000 Euro
per year from the national government.

EMPLOYMENT
No specific measures have been implemented under the principle of equal treatment to
reduce the employment gap between Roma and non-Roma. For instance measures to
encourage Roma integration into the workplace (for example, mediation, tailored activation
measures, access to open labour markets, social enterprises, etc.).
Due to cuts in local and national budgets (2012), promising practices were reduced in 2013,
e.g. the one good practice proven effective for a decade among Sinti and Roma, developed
by integration consultancy company WSD Group in Brabant region and based on coaching
towards (self) employment.
Also no specific measures are to be found, providing/promoting financial inclusion of Roma
through for example, micro-credit loans, and particularly for Roma entrepreneurs. Nor
specific or explicit Roma-related measures to encourage employment of more qualified
Roma civil servants in the public sector (public work).
The same goes for specific measures to provide personalized employment services for Roma
(for example, job search assistance, on-the-job training and life-long learning of Roma), as
well as for measures to eliminate the barriers, including discrimination, to re-enter the
labour market, especially for Roma women.
HEALTH
No specific measures have been implemented to increase access to quality healthcare, for
example for Roma women and children (such as training health professionals to work with
people from different socio-cultural backgrounds), nor to improve the access of Roma to
basic emergency and specialized services, increase awareness among Roma of the
importance of regular medical check-ups, pre- and post-natal care, family planning, and
immunization; nor specific measures have been implemented to ensure that preventive
healthcare measures reach out to Roma, or to prevent prejudiced behaviour of health
professionals towards Roma.
HOUSING
No key specific measures implementing the NRIS with respect to housing are reported, for
example relating the promotion of non-discriminatory access to housing for Roma, including
social housing, desegregation, to facilitate local integrated housing approaches with special
attention to public utility and social service.
Concerning measures to improve the availability, affordability, and quality of social housing
and halting sites: it is considered the responsibility of municipalities and housing
corporations to providing and maintaining campsites / locations for mobile homes.
Generally, little progress in this field is reported, also in 2013, due to budgetary cuts and
‘tug-off’ frictions between municipalities and housing corporations.

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS & NON-DISCRIMINATION
The following measures and their implementation could be reported aimed at to step up the
fight against discrimination and racism affecting also Roma people.
1. In the framework of the EC Progress Call for Proposals in the year 2013-2014
(JUST/2013/PROG/AG/AD, likewise for 2012-2013): by the Dutch government the Roma
issue is classified among the priorities for a number of arguments: 1) the Dutch NSRI 2011,
2) EC-Assessment 2012, 3) Platform Roma Municipalities, 4) Roma themselves and 5)
(expected) political interest for this issue.
Available budget: 250.000 Euro for one or two projects (College/Institute Human Rights
gained the grant).
2. Racism Monitor (Verwey Jonker Instituut, March 2013). Financed by the Anne Frank
Foundation (not by government). Methodology differs from the first nine reports (University
Leiden/Anne Frank Foundation): mainstreamed into reporting racial, religious, anti-Semitism
and based on police data, for reasons of comparability. Roma used to be part in the earlier
reports or reported specifically (See Roma and Sinti Cahier, Anne Frank Foundation,
Amsterdam, 2005). See also chapter, 7.5, page 88.
To step up the fight concerning anti-Gypsyism and/or hate crime against Roma, no specific
measures can be reported, nor measures to raise awareness of the societal interest of Roma
integration, for example opportunities for intercultural encounters that may support such
awareness and facilitate de-stigmatization.
III. Involvement of local authorities and civil society in the development,
implementation, and monitoring of NRIS
Since 2009, several of the Dutch municipalities dealing with Roma related policies operate
together in what is called the ‘Platform Roma Municipalities’. This governmental body of
mayors and aldermen, assisted by their officials, is linked to the overall Association of Dutch
Municipalities (Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten/VNG). Members of this Platform are
the ‘Roma municipalities’: Amsterdam Zuid-Oost, Capelle aan den IJssel, Ede, Enschede,
Lelystad, Nieuwegein, Oldenzaal, ’s-Hertogenbosch, Utrecht and Veldhoven. In 2013 one of
the ‘Sinti-municipalities’ joined the Platform. The national government considers the
Platform Roma Municipalities as key partner for cooperation, allocating 60.000 Euro a year
since 2010, for developing perspectives and sharing best practices concerning law
enforcement and integration.
In 2013, the Platform Roma Municipalities was involved in the organization of the national
conference (14 March) on Multi Problem Families with a Roma background. On that
occasion the report of the Police Academy (mentioned under 7.1) was presented and

discussed in four workshops with and among 150 professionals from all over the country
and from different institutions .
The platform is involved in the implementation of both programs (on child abuse and multi-
problem families), in which the ministry of Safety and Justice is leading. In these programs,
four platform members are indicated as ‘experimental areas’: Nieuwegein, Lelystad,
Veldhoven and Ede (see also 7.4). Moreover, the platform liaises directly and indirectly with
the Council of Europe and the European Commission, for example through the Dutch
representative in the Ad hoc Committee of Experts on Roma (Cahrom, Council of Europe).
Municipalities and institutions are in the position to ‘call the ministry of Home Affairs and
Kingdom relationships for support in terms of general knowledge and expertise in cases
relating upbringing, safety, going to school, violence, debts, health problems, etcetera’. For
this mainstream project titled Comprehensive Approach (Integrale Aanpak), aimed at
‘transformations and innovations in the social domain’, the ministry of Home Affairs and
Kingdom relationships has an expert on Travellers issues at one’s disposal on an ad hoc
consultancy base. Moreover, expert meetings are organized at local request, in which the
ministries are participating (Safety and Justice, Social Affairs and Employment, Home
Affairs), together with the Association of Dutch Municipalities, the Platform Roma
Municipalities and the Police Academy.
Involvement and consultation of Sinti, Roma and Travellers in the development,
implementation and monitoring of NRIS do not take place at a structural and regular basis,
nor on all levels and at all stages – as is also observed by European monitoring and
assessments. Incidentally, for instance relating to the Police Academy research and its
presentation on the national conference, one Rom professional – although not a member of
the Roma group under investigation - can be reported to have been consulted relating the
draft report and participating at the conference.
More frequent and formalised consultations -on an individual base or in group sessions- took
gradually place in the course of 2013. Already mentioned is the Monitor (Spring 2013) and
its work sessions (8 Roma and Sinti participating), in-depth interviews (22 Roma and Sinti)
and questionnaires (filled in by 13 Roma and Sinti).
At the same time, in the (political) sensitive framework of the World War Two II Reparation
Funds (Afwikkeling van het Naoorlogs Rechtsherstel voor Sinti en Roma), the ministry of
Public Healthcare, Welfare and Sport intensified the dialogue - on a face to face basis and
bilaterally – with Sinti and Roma key persons and professionals,.
On 29 November this department officially invited 25 Roma and Sinti in person for a Round
Table (12 December 2013), based on an agenda (goals and activities for remaining funds,
next steps in 2014) and in attendance of the state secretary responsible for this issue.

IV. Funding for Roma integration
Concerning the topic of funding for Roma inclusion, this overview is necessary restricted to
policies, programs, projects or activities directly and explicitly related to Roma, Sinti and
Travellers integration, in so far as relevant information could be gathered from accessible
resources and from contact persons responsible during the short time span available to this
end. So, generic funding’s which may be beneficiary to Roma populations too have not been
elaborated at this place, such as early childhood programs for vulnerable groups, the
Program Offensive to School dropout, the Action plan Youth Unemployment (ministry of
Education), or the local Anti-discrimination provisions (ministry of Justice), and the ministry
of Home Affairs program called Comprehensive Approach (Integrale Aanpak).
As mentioned before, the research monitoring the Dutch general set of policy measures
concerning Roma and Sinti (‘baseline Monitor’), advised by the European Commission, has
been budgeted in 2013 to an amount of 120.000 Euro (see page Chapter, 7.1).
Another 60.000 Euro –on a yearly base since 2010- was allocated by the same ministry
(Social Affairs and Employment) to the Platform Roma Municipalities, in function of
exchanging knowledge and expertise between the eleven members of this governmental
supra local body.
The ministry of Safety and Justice funded the research carried out by the Police Academy
(2011-2013) resulting among others in a book for professionals, which was presented at the
aforementioned conference in March 2013. Information on the funds allocated to the Police
Academy project (2011-2013) could only partially be acquired, being the conference
organisation (18.000 Euro) and 3.900 Euro for the editor of the book.
Funding of the four local experiments (Proeftuingemeenten), however, can be estimated to
be 300.000 Euro. The municipalities of Lelystad (250 Roma), Ede (170), Nieuwegein (400)
and Veldhoven (335) are funded in the framework of Multi problem families with a Roma
background and the Combat of exploitation of Roma children by Roma – both programs
currently evaluated on its effects and possible continuation. Roughly, these four pilots were
yearly funded with similar amounts to be locally allocated to similar coordinating functions.
To this end, the municipality of Lelystad - known for its long term and locally funded
approach on education, healthcare and law enforcement (since 2006) - attributed the
acquired 75.000 Euro in 2013.
The municipality of Veldhoven, was likewise boosted by this pilot (80.000 Euro in 2013) ,
managing to maintain its long term policy mixture of law enforcement and socio-
educational projects. The social domain (‘Samenlevingsopbouw’) of Roma-policies in
Veldhoven is funded locally and usually budgeted to an amount of 180.000 Euro per year
(2010: municipality staff as well as of subsidized organisation Stimulans and its activities).

Meanwhile, in 2012, Nieuwegein redefined its Roma-focused project called Wisselgeld
(‘loose’or exchange money) into the Multi problem project including families with a Roma
background.
Additionally, the municipality of Nieuwegein is leading in a transnational EU Labour Plus
project funded by the European Commission (DG Regions, INTERREG IVC), in cooperation
with the European Towns and Pilot cities Platform (ENTP, Brussels), and in partnership with
nine other members from EU states. The project is dedicated towards exchange of
knowledge and expertise on Roma and Participation (best practices, case studies). This
project was submitted and approved in 2011 and is due to be finished in 2014. The total
budget for Nieuwegein is 335.000 Euro, out of which 250.950 Euro from European funding
(75%) and 84.000 local funding (25%). This year, the preparations for a local action plan are
prepared for a next Labour Plus proposal on vocational training and employment for
vulnerable youth, including Roma.
Several cities with Roma and / or Sinti populations are listed as members of EU networks
(Eurocities, EU) and Council of Europe alliances (European Alliance of cities and regions for
Roma Inclusion, Council of Europe): Amsterdam, Brabant Stad, Eindhoven, Rotterdam ,
Utrecht respectively Capelle aan den IJssel, Nuenen, Lelystad, Nieuwegein, Veldhoven. Not
for every city it remains clear, however, to which extend, stage of activity or European
funding is involved.
V. Discrimination, anti-Gypsyism, hate crime and the protection of fundamental rights
The monitor on racism, anti-Semitism, extreme right violence and discrimination in the
Netherlands mentions discrimination on racial grounds but made no reference to any Roma
groups in particular. Of all local Anti-discrimination Offices, Art 1 Midden-Nederland is one
of the few recording Roma-related complaints specifically since 2009. In 2013 four ‘Roma
related’ complaints were filled, connected with assurances and housing issues, and reported
by Roma themselves,
The Dutch Complaints Bureau for Discrimination on the Internet (Magenta/Meldpunt
Discriminatie Internet) notified that Roma, Sinti and Travellers themselves hardly report. In
2013, of all appearing expressions / statements relating Roma, Sinti or Travellers, 15
complaints were filed. Of these 15 reportings, Magenta/MDI considered 11 liable to
punishment according to article 137, C up till G, Dutch criminal law.
The 11 punishable statements on internet contains hate speech such as ‘All Roma are scum,
to be thrown out of the country’, ‘Roma are liars, thieves and cheats, not having any good
properties as these have been bred out’ (2 times), ‘dirty folk those gypsies, creating

problems in all countries where they settle; workshy criminal scum of the earth’, ‘Gypsies
should be sterilized so they can’t have 20 ones’ (2); ‘Roma are gangsters, thieves and
rapists’, ‘Roma destroy our culture, they’re all criminals’, ‘It’s an illusion to think of solutions
for the structural problems of any European country with gypsies. They don’t give a shit
about society, want to roam, like a plague of grasshoppers, and our ancestors already always
chased and routed them away when they settled in their environment. That’s the only way
to deal with gypsies’. ‘Roma and Sinti are disgusting, un-adapted, criminal scum’, ‘Roma are
disgusting scum, when will they finally be exterminated’ and a radio broadcasted song about
Gypsies and Travellers campsites (‘all unemployed, growing cannabis, criminal and
dangerous’).
When Magenta/MDI evaluates an expression as punishable, next step in the procedure is
sending a request for removal to the website on which the expression is located (Art. 8). If
the website complies with the request from MDI for removal, the complainer will be
informed that the content is removed (Art. 9). If a website does not comply with the request
for removal, this will not automatically lead to a criminal case. The MDI will only press
charges if the MDI deems it necessary.
Another point of concern is the access for people living in a mobile to assurances and
mortgages due to their backgrounds. In 2013, an important judgement has been published
by the Dutch Committee of Equal treatment / College Human Rights, stating that AEGON
assurance and mortgage company has unrightfully denied a mortgage to a couple ‘on racial
grounds’ (College Human Rights, 5 September 2013).
VI. Any other significant developments in relation to Roma integration
In 2013, in terms of media and political interest, criminality surpassed discrimination by far
as an issue in the Netherlands in 2013.
Significant in connection with Roma-related developments was the ongoing stream of news
clippings on (the presupposed negative impact of) labour migration from Bulgaria and
Romania, added by the media attention to a research on mobile banditry The research was
carried out by the Centre for Information and Research on Organized Crime (CIROC, Utrecht
University). This program, financed by the ministry of Safety and Justice, was launched in
2011 with an open-to-the-media seminar and ended likewise with the presentation of the
results on 18 September 2013. The seminar was introduced by the head of the program,
referring to three categories of perpetrators, one of which classified as ‘Romanian and
Bulgarian criminal networks, many of whom are Roma’.
Immediately the Minister for Safety and Justice was requested by Parliament to react on the
findings of the research on mobile banditry , which request was met in the form of a letter
accompanied by the draft research.

The minister stated in his letter that insights into ‘how family clans operate internationally,
lead to an efficient approach in order to dismantle such an infrastructure’. He stressed that
crimes committed by Roma get no more and no less attention than other crimes.
Furthermore, child abuse was mentioned as an issue to be addressed by a programme jointly
implemented with the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment in cooperation with the
municipalities. Petty crime is expected to be combatted in a comprehensive Multi-Problem
Approach towards families with a Roma background. The issue of begging was linked to the
possibility of penalties imposed through its incorporation in local by-law (Algemeen
Plaatselijke Verordening/APV) and soon -connected to human trafficking- and part of the
Penal code.
ECRI
Shortly after, discrimination turned publicly an issue again, triggered by a Council of Europe
report on Racism and Intolerance in the Netherlands (ECRI). Since the start in 1998, these
monitoring cycles classify Roma, Sinti and Travellers communities among the several groups
in the Netherlands identified as ‘vulnerable’. The ECRI report ‘welcomes activities carried out
at local level and in the context of the Platform for Roma municipalities’. However, he
Committee of independent experts added, five recommendations to improve the Dutch
approach towards Roma integration. These recommendations included taking up central
responsibility for Roma issues at national government level, the promotion of Roma role
models, a needs assessment with regard to living in caravans and the unequivocal out ruling
of Roma-related ethnic registers. Finally, settling the issue of statelessness –with special
reference to (Roma) children - has been recommended to the Dutch government.
In its communication to the parliament the Dutch government referred to the Roma stating
that ECRI appreciated the creation of the ‘Roma Platform’ in which municipalities are able to
compile their knowledge and expertise. The ECRI recommendations – including the five
Roma related ones - were treated subsequently in an annex to the letter. In connection to
the recommendation on central government responsibility the minister referred to the
Platform Roma Municipalities and the ministry of Safety and Justice Programme on
exploitation of Roma children. The recommendation on role models and affirmative action
is considered not to comply with the Dutch (mainstreamed) integration approach, whereas
the recommendation relating to halting sites for mobile homes is stated not to be in
accordance to Dutch law after the repeal of the Caravan Act in 1999 and is a municipal
responsibility since. The recommendation on separate ethnic registers is endorsed
(prohibited by law), whereas in relation to a recommendation on statelessness, especially
when transferred to children, reference is made to the current legal practice.
Civil Society
Several other, mostly one off, activities related to Roma, Sinti and Travellers are – although
not linked to the NSRI - reported to have taken place in 2013, many of which organized by or

in cooperation with representatives of these communities. These include chronologically the
following:
• In the framework of the ROMED programme (Council of Europe and the European
Union) the Netherlands was selected among five countries for the second round of training-
of-trainers, resulting in the certification of two trainers at the closing ROMED Congress. A
kick start for training (candidate) mediators recruited from Sinti, Roma and Travellers
communities is not feasible yet, as the required Dutch letter of commitment to the Council
of Europe and EU ‘will be taking a long time’.
• Nevertheless, also in 2013, interest in participating in such a training programme in
the Netherlands was shown by candidates and civil society.
• Involvement and commitment to Roma issues was occasionally shown by civil society
in letters to departments and members of the Dutch Parliament, for example asking the
Dutch human rights approach abroad to be applied also to the Roma at home.
• The CIROC-research on mobile banditry raised a lot of attention from the media, in
particular referring the reported Roma involvement. Individual letters were written to the
media and to the minister of Safety and Justice criticizing the research, its methods and its
impacts on Roma in particular as well as on society in general. Other articles followed
presenting a supposed causality between (Roma) culture, criminality and prostitution. A
counterbalancing response was published again in newspaper.
• A radio evening programme called Close to the Netherlands (Dichtbij Nederland),
broadcasted a discussion between the chair of the Association of Sinti, Roma and Travellers /
VSRWN) and a cultural criminologist.
• Sinti, Roma and Travellers representatives participated in European events. The chair
of the Platform Roma Netherlands, Kostana Jovanovic, participated at the 4th International
Romani Women Conference (Helsinki, 16-17 September). The chair and two other
representatives of the Association of Sinti, Roma and Travellers Netherlands / VSRWN
participated at the Joint EP Meeting Committees Fundamental Rights and Gender relating
Roma, 18 September in Brussels, presenting their organization and making interventions at
the meeting advocating the lifestyle and corresponding need for sufficient campsites for
mobile homes. Letters were sent subsequently (24 October 2013) to the European
Commission of Justice, European Parliament and Fundamental rights Agency.
• The association Vereniging Sinti, Roma en Woonwagenbewoners Nederland
(VSRWN), created in 2012, advocates a continued way of life in mobile homes and tries to be
a partner for dialogue with public authorities in the domain of housing, education and
employment. This national initiative is connected to other grass roots initiatives by Sinti,
Roma and Travellers in this respect.

• Through the year, several activities are reported concerning Roma and Sinti relating
Second World War commemorations . Among others the Sinti and Roma Round Table on
the occasion of the International Holocaust Memorial Day (27) January. Other related
initiatives took place in the field of (holocaust) education. Royal appreciation (Princess
Beatrix) was shown at the final performance of the Requiem for Auschwitz in presence of
school teenagers (29 October 2013).
RESOURCES
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2012, Chapter 7Active Citizenship / Rights Awareness, pp. 34-36, Rotterdam, Art. 1, Dutch
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Association of Dutch Municipalities (Vereniging van Nederlandse gemeenten) (2013),
Landelijke kennisbijeenkomst Multiprobleemgezinnen met een Roma achtergrond.
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proposals and initiatives by the EU Memberstates’ (‘Nieuwe Commissievoorstellen en
initiatieven van de lidstaten van de Europese Unie’), Letter to The House of Representatives
(Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal), 30 August 2013, Parliamentary document
(Kamerstuk) 22 112-1675, available at https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/kst-22112-
1674.html.
Minister of Security and Justice (Minister van Veiligheid en Justitie) (2013), ‘Mobiel
banditisme, aanpak sinds 2012’, Letter to the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer der
Staten-Generaal), No. 43 6485 , 9 October 2013, available at
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publicaties/kamerstukken/2013/10/10/mobiel-bandtisme-aanpak-sinds-2012/lp-v-j-
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‘Kabinetsreactie ECRI rapport Nederland’. Letter to the House of Representatives (Tweede
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Veiligheid en Justitie and minister voor Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid), (2013) ’Reactie

op het rapport 'De aanpak van multi-probleemgezinnen met een Roma achtergrond', Letter
to the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal), No. 398526, 4 July
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(2013), Letter to the House of Representatives (brief naar de Tweede Kamer van de Staten-
Generaal), Parlementairy document 32 824, nr. 46 and Monitor in Annex nr. 269786
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professionals on the social inclusion of Roma and Sinti on the domains of education, work,
housing, health and safety’ (Nulmeting. Ervaringen en meningen van Roma, Sinti en
professionals over de sociale inclusie van Roma en Sinti in de domeinen van onderwijs, werk,
wonen, gezondheid en veiligheid), Utrecht, Movisie, 2013 (put to the disposal under
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at http://www.stimulansveldhoven.nl/intermediair_roma ; See ass well the Yearreport 2012,
Veldhoven, April 2013, pp. 9-20; A Romani-women activation project was mentioned in the
national newspaper NRC, 10 December 2013.
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Stick’, in the EC Newsroom sery ‘Roma stories from around the EU’, 2013, available at
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Municipality Nieuwegein (Gemeente Nieuwegein) (2013), Removing Barriers, available at
http://ris.nieuwegein.nl/Archief/2013/2013-333%20Brochure%20Labour%20Plus.pdf
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Gemeenteraad over het Labor Plus project, Progress Letter of the Mayor and Aldermen
(Burgemeester en Wethouders) to the City Council, 18 September 2013.
National knowledge meeting Multi problem families with a Roma background: linking care
with law enforcement and investigation (Landelijke kennisbijeenkomst

Multiprobleemgezinnen met een Roma achtergrond. Schakelen tussen zorg, handhaving en
opsporing), Lelystad, 14 maart 2013, report available at http://www.cs-vng.nl/onze-
diensten/hand-outs/kennisbijeenkomst-multiprobleemgezinnen-met-een-roma-
achtergrond.aspx
Personal notitions by Peter Jorna on the announcement by the National Roma Contactpoint
at the Roma Platform Meeting, July 27, Brussels.
Personal information acquired at Roma Multi Problem Families conference 14 March 2013.
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January 2014 and 18 November 2013.
Personal telephone conversation with the lead, that is the ministry of Safety and Justice, 8
January 2014.
Personal E-mail correspondence Municipality of Lelystad, 8 November 2013 and 6 January
2014, with a document in addition titled ‘The Approach of multi problems among families
with a Roma background in the municipality of Lelystad: looking back and forward’,
municipality of Lelystad, Policy Department, May 2013, page 14; Telephone conversation 7
January 2014.
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and Roma (July 2013); also: Netherlands, State secretary for Health, Welfare and Sports
(Staatssecretaris voor Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sports) (2012), Letter to The House of
Representatives (Tweede Kamer der Staten Generaal), 18 December 2012, Paliamentary
Document (kamerstuk) No. 33400 XVI- 123, available at
https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/kst-33400-XVI-123.html
Personal Conversation at Movisie office with staff and external consultant, Utrecht, 9
January 2014.
Personal E-mail correspondence with the Integration department of the ministry of Social
Affairs and Employment, National Roma Contact Point), 6 January 2014, 2 December 2013
and 31 October 2013.
Personal Telephone conversation with the municipality of Gemert, 6 January 2014.
Personal Telephone conversation with Art. 1 Midden Nederland, Utrecht, 7 January 2014.
Personal communications with Sinti and Roma (December 2013).
Personal E-mail correspondence with the Dutch Complaints Bureau for Discrimination on the
Internet (Meldpunt Discriminatie Internet), 8 November 2013 and 6 January 2014.

Personal E-mail correspondence with the Dutch Complaints Bureau for Discrimination on
the Internet (Meldpunt Discriminatie Internet), 6 January 2014 , in English translation
available at http://www.meldpunt.nl/site/page.php?lang=1&pageID=33
Personal E-mail correspondence with the Dutch Complaints Bureau for Discrimination on
the Internet (Meldpunt Discriminatie Internet), 6 January 2014, Procedure on handling
complaints (in English), available at
http://www.meldpunt.nl/site/page.php?pageID=38&lang=1
Personal E-mail correspondence with the ministry of Education, Culture and Science, 9
December 2013, source: Education Implementation Service (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs /
DUO).
Personal E-mail correspondence with the ministry of Education, Culture and Science, 8
November 2013.
Personal information by telephone (Magenta, 6 November 2013).
Roma stories around the EU, Country the Netherlands: Carrot and Stick, available at
http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/files/roma_stories_2013/netherlands_en.pdf
ROMED Congres, Brussels, January 17-18, 2013, available at http://coe-
romed.org/node?page=1
ROMED, personal E-mails requesting Dutch commitment, to the National Roma Contact
Point (20 December 2012; 29 May 2013), informal talks with the ministry of Public Health,
Welfare and Sports (15 July 2013) and e-mail to the Roma-Team of Council of Europe (11
June 2013).
Siegel, D, (2013), ‘Mobile banditry: East and Central -European itinerant criminal bands in
the Netherlands’, PPT presentation, slide 11, 18 September 2013, Utrecht, available at
http://www.ciroc.nl/presentaties/presentatie_siegel130918.pdf. Complete report in Dutch
(Mobiel banditisme: Oost- en Centraal-Europese rondtrekkende criminele groepen in
Nederland Politie & Wetenschap, Juni 2013), on line available since 14 October 2013,
Parlementairy document (Kamerstuk) annex (nr. 255775) to the letter of the minister of
Safety and Justice to the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer der Staten Generaal) on
the Combat of Organised Crime (Bestrijding georganiseerde criminaliteit), 9 October 2013,
29 911 Nr. 85
Sollie, H., Wijkhuijs, V., Hilhorst, W., Van der Wal, R. and Kop, N. (2013), Aanpak multi-
problematiek bij gezinnen met een Roma-achtergrond. Een kennisfundament voor
professionals, The Hague, Boom / Lemma.

Tierolf, B., Hermens, L., Drost, L., and Mein, A. (2013), Monitor racisme, anti-Semitisme,
extreem rechts geweld and discriminatie in Nederland), Verwey Jonker Instituut, Utrecht. See
also chapter 6.4, page 62.
Urbiscope Project (Benelux-countries) relating labourmigration from eastern and central
European memberstates, see Flemish Action Plan MOE/Roma migrants (Vlaams Actieplan
MOE- (Roma) migranten), 2012,
Website including four portals related to the specified groups including Roma/Sinti/
Travellers , available at http://www.kpcgroep.nl/kpc-groep/overheidsopdrachten/overige-
opdrachten/lisd.aspx; OWRS portal available at http://www.owrs.nl/
Media & Public, Scientific discourse and Civil Society actions
Letter ERGO network (22 September 2013, not available on website
http://www.ergonetwork.org) reacting on Netherlands, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken) (2013), Respect en recht voor ieder mens, Notition, 4
July 2013.
Lensink, H. (2013), ‘Het Zigeunertaboe’, Vrij Nederland, 18 September 2013 ; Graanoogst, A.
(2013), ‘Dutch underestimate dangers Roma gangs’, NL Times, 19 September 2013.
Müller, H. (2013), Roma are the hated outsiders likewise the jews used to be (‘Roma zijn de
gehate buitenstaanders zoals de joden ooit’), De Volkskrant, 10 October 2013
Ramesar, P. and Roessingh, M. (2013), Roma culture makes victims (‘Roma cultuur maakt
slachtoffers’), Trouw, 18 October 2013. ; Netherlands, Van der Laan, S. (2013), Prostitution
and human trafficking part of Roma culture (‘Prostitutie en mensenhandel onderdeel van
Roma cultuur’), Elsevier, 18 October 2013.
Van Baar, H. (2013), Researchers a bad lot (‘Onderzoeken deugen niet’), Trouw, 26 October
2013, Causes human trafficking in Roma community (‘Oorzaken mensenhandel in Roma-
gemeenschap’),
NTR (2013), Topic: ‘Causes human trafficking in Roma-community’ (‘Oorzaken mensenhandel
in Roma-gemeenschap’), Dichtbij Nederland, 18 October 2013.
Contribution titled ‘Roma in the Netherlands’, written by another Roma Platform member
to inform the conference on the Roma in the Netherlands and send to the Council of Europe
(Michelle van Burik, 12 September 2013, not published).
Actions reported by the Association Sinti, Roma and Travellers Netherlands (Vereniging Sinti,
Roma en Woonwagenbewoners Nederland), available at its website
http://vsrwn.weebly.com/nieuws.html

Association Sinti, Roma and Travellers Netherlands (Vereniging Sinti, Roma en
Woonwagenbewoners Nederland) presented itself as well to ministries, Parliament and
municipalities (Letter 7th of June 2013, not available on internet)
National Committee for 4 and 5 May ( Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei) (2013), ‘Holocaust
Memorial Day op de Vrije Universiteit op 23 Januari’, Press release, 17 January 2013,
available at: www.4en5mei.nl/nieuws/nieuwsbericht/54
Sinti Music (2013), ‘In honour of Mariet Verberkt and our Sinti/Roma children from Venlo,
victims of World War Two’, Web page, available at:
www.sintimusic.nl/projects/Margaretha_105
Alfa Foundation / International Gipsy Festival in the Netherlands Stichting Alfa (2013), ‘My
own Gypsyfestival at school’, (‘Mijn Eigen Gipsyfestival op School’), Webpage, available at:
http://www.gipsyfestival.nl/educatie2.html
Alfa Foundation / International Gipsy Festival in the Netherlands Stichting Alfa
(2013),Tilburg, ‘Requiem for Auschwitz’, Website available at :
www.requiemforauschwitz.eu/index.html

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Roma Integration Netherlands, Developments in 2013