Roma Rights Network Forum

Few weeks ago I wrote a blog about the pogrom-like mob-violence against Sinti that took place at the beginning of this August (2009) in the municipality of Ainet in East Tyrol. As reported there were cases of racist vandalism, with the slogans „gipsies get out“, and „we don´t need scum like you here“, but there was also assault. After a rock concert, a group of teenagers attacked (probably in alcoholised condition), French citizens who belong to the cultural minority of Manouches Sinti. The Families were forced to flee under police protection. The police had to escort them to the nine kilometres far away Mainstation in Lienz.

Please find the detailed story in german language on the below weblink:
http://www.dasbiber.at/content/dringend-gesuchte-roma-sinti-familien-im-...

Lawyer Dr. Josef Unterweger has claimed that incident at the department of public prosecution in Innsbruck. Dr. Unterweger said in an interview that “there will be consequences”. The local chief of police declared that they did not take any personal data. The police has no information about the families’ current place of residence.

It is of the utmost importance to find the harmed families, to explain them their civil rights and to inform about the indictment of the racist attack. Furthermore one must be aware that racist vandalism is not tolerated in Austria in any way.

They may give their statement to any police department in France or to French Embassies abroad and to any Austrian police department. Additionally it is possible to contact the representatives for the Roma and Sinti minority in Vienna; “Romano-Centro” http://www.romano-centro.org
Contact: Ms. Andrea Hörle Tel: +43-1-749 63 36