ROMA IN TURKEY European policy and practice towards ethnic minorities Özlem Alioğlu Öznur Küçüker Volkan Şeysane

“ Çingene bizzat bahardır” “ Çingene bizzat bahardır” (Tchingene are the spring themselves) Ahmet Haşim ( ) A famous Turkish poet

Before the Republic Before the Republic The System of Ottoman Empire “ MILLET SYSTEM” (or Millet Theory) Generally, Ottoman Empire Community was divided into 2 categories on religious basis. According to the Millet Theory: Muslim Community – “Müslim”: Arabs,Turks, Kurds, Caucasians, Iranians and others Non-muslim Community- “Gayr-i Müslim”: Armenians, Orthodox, Catholics and Jewishs Romani Community which stayed in Balkans had their autonomous administration as well. “Kıpti Milleti (Kıpti Community)”

After The Republic-1923 Article 66 of the Turkish Constitution: “Everyone bound to the Turkish state through the bond of citizenship is a Turk.” 3 officially recognized ethnic minorities in Laussane Treaty: Orthodox Greeks, Armenians, Jewishs Consequently, ethnic groups which are muslims but not originally Turkish did not have any cultural, linguistic and political rights untill the “EU” reform process in 2000s. So Romani Community is not recognized as an ethnic minority in Turkey officially. Laussane System Armenians Jewishs Orthodox Greeks

Who are “Tchingene”? Tchingene (Çingene in Turkish): Roma Indo-European origins No commonly accepted definition of who Roma is 3 origins of Roma: Kaldera, Gitano and Manushs. The Roma in Turkey :“Kaldera” clan Most of the Roma came to Turkey from Balkans over Greece and Bulgaria during the World War I. Number of population The estimated number of population of Tchingene: In the world: 3-4 millions In Turkey: but according to the NGOs’ statistics: around Habitation They reside not only in the biggest cities of Turkey but also in rural areas.

PLAN I)The social situation of Roma II)The cultural situation of Roma III)The economic situation of Roma

I) The social situation of Roma –Housing: A common life but not really ghetto Main problem:The project of urban development –Political Representation No political Romani party No active participation in political scene But a Romani Prime Minister: PhDr. Nihat Erim –NGOs “Romani Solidarity and Public Spirit Association”(1996) Good effects of EU process: associations –Education 80%: Primary school 30%: illiterate

II) The cultural situation of Roma Religion: Islam Language: Turkish but with a special accent Music Some famous Gypsy instruments: Darbuka, saz Famous belly-dances, paticularly in Sulukule Specific music and dances: “Roman Havası” Traditions Some rites in the rituals of blessing, wedding, and burial Cheerful people who like colorful clothes, golden jeweleries and flowers Problems: Problem of “integration”: Sometimes an isolated population However... Gypsy traditions: an important part of the Turkish culture Some TV series based on Gypsy lifestyle: (ex: Cennet mahallesi) Some songs about Gypsies Gypsy traditions, dances and music in Turkish traditional weddings

III) The economic situation of Roma Occupation: Low-level workers(carpenter, florist,hawker,etc.) 56.9% Worker (public-private) 7.7 % Officials2.2% Retiree22.2% House-wife23.2% The main economic problems are: Unemployment Illegal working (working without insurance) Lack of the marketable skills necessary to find jobs among the Roma in Turkey. By participating in culture-turism in Turkey, Romani integration into the society is improving day by day.

Some famous Roma...

It is possible to meet well-integrated Roma in Turkey. Is there a similar example in the other countries in the world? Is there another country except Turkey which had a Romani Prime Minister?

Resources “Turkish Authorities Destroy Romani Neighbourhoods for Urban Development” “Issues Brief: Roma Rights in Turkey” Kolukırık, Suat, “Romani People in Workin Life” Oran, Baskın, Minorities in Turkey, Istanbul, TESEV,