A dual challenge for the year of equal opportunities for all: Roms in the Western Balkans

Abstract

'The primary aim of this article is to place the current situation of Roms in the Western Balkans in the broader historical context of Roms' experiences since their arrival in the region. A subsidiary aim is to examine some of the ways in which the work of the European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI) has taken steps to address this situation. Beginning with a discussion of Roms' origins and ethnogenesis, the article provides a broad overview of Roms' experiences in the Western Balkans from their arrival in the region through the post-communist period. Also offered is a brief examination of some of the difficulties encountered in measuring the size of Romani populations in the region. Presenting in more detail the situation of Roms in Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia, the article moves next to an examination of ECMI's novel approach to assessing Roms' needs and to the action-oriented follow-on initiatives designed on the basis of the needs assessments. The conclusion of the article is that lasting change in Roms' status is likely to depend in large part on the integration of the countries of the Western Balkans into the European Union.' (author's abstract)