roma under attack, kosovo mayhem and political trials
Europe may be your liberal utopia, but if you want to see its true colors, ask the Roma.
- Hungary’s Gypsies targeted in deadly attacks
- As Economic Turmoil Mounts, So Do Attacks on Hungary’s Gypsies
Jozsef Bencze, Hungary’s national police chief, said in an interview on Friday with the daily newspaper Nepszabadsag that the perpetrators, believed to be a group of four or more men in their 40s, were killing “with hands that are too confident.” Military counterintelligence is taking part in the investigation, Hungarian radio reported, and Mr. Bencze said the pool of suspects included veterans of the Balkan wars and Hungarian members of the French Foreign Legion.
Experts on Roma issues describe an ever more aggressive atmosphere toward Roma in Hungary and elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe, led by extreme right-wing parties, whose leaders are playing on old stereotypes of Roma as petty criminals and drains on social welfare systems at a time of rising economic and political turmoil. As unemployment rises, officials and Roma experts fear the attacks will only intensify.
Kosovo has never fully settled down after declaring independence, and unrest seems to be increasing again. No comprehensive roundup for today, but just a snapshot:
- EU police repel angry Serbs as violence flares in Northern Kosovo
- Serbia expects no more countries will recognise Kosovo
- Kosovo ‘Close’ to Joining IMF, Finance Chief Says
- History books for Kosovo Serbs to be rewritten
- Thieves snatch seized drugs from Kosovo police HQ
And assorted treehuggers facing The Man:
- Mafia Law Used Against Environmentalists for Tree Sits, Civil Disobedience, Blog Post
- Sea Shepherd trial will go ahead, judge rules
(Typical lousy Earth First! photo. Can’t tell what’s going on, can’t read the banners. They’re treesitting, if that helps.)