The Development and Institutionalization of Romani Representation and Administration. Part 3a: From National Organizations to International Umbrellas (1945–1970)—Romani Mobilization at the National Level

Abstract

This article is the third in this Nationalities Papers series, following “Part 1: The Legacy of Early Institutionalism: From Gypsy Fiefs to Gypsy Kings,” which covered the period from the arrival of Gypsies to Europe until the mid-nineteenth century (Vol. 32, No. 3), and “Part 2: Beginnings of Modern Institutionalization,” describing the birth of the first modern forms of ethnically-based political and social organizations established by Romani elites from the nineteenth century up until the Second World War (WWII) (Vol. 33, No. 2). The article concentrates on developments between two significant landmarks in the history of Romani mobilization—the end of WWII in 1945 and the institutionalization of a permanent international Romani body in the form of a World Romani Congress, held for the first time in 1971. The time period covered in this article is distinguished from the previously covered periods by the emergence of the following phenomena: (1) modern Romani political organizations at the national level, (2) their unification through international Romani umbrella organizations, (3) some limited Romani participation in non-Romani mainstream political or administrative structures, (4) an international Romani evangelical movement, (5) reconciliation between Romani political representation and the Catholic Church, (6) national institutions created by various governments to aid the administration of policies on Roma, (7) rapid growth of non-governmental organizations addressing Romani issues, and (8) some limited cooperation between Romani organizations and intergovernmental organizations.

Governing the “Unmarked” Citizens: Romania’s Roma in the Grip of Socialist Technologies of Power

“…While the other 13 ethnic minorities that lived on the territory of Romania could be recognized as cohabiting minorities and granted some cultural and political rights, the Roma minority had a particular place in the ethno-political landscape. As most of the CEE states that came under the Soviet tutelage, Romania adopted the Marxist-Leninist model for dealing with national minorities (Klimova-Alexander 2006). The criteria for fulfilling the status of national minority were those of common language, territory, history and a uniform culture, criteria that the Roma did not meet.…”