Uncovering anti‑Roma discrimination in criminal justice systems in Europe: Abusive police practices

An elderly Roma man from Miskolc, northeastern Hungary, was fined HUF 50,000 (EUR 140) for walking with his bicycle without a rear reflector. He was imprisoned because he was unable to pay the fine.

This animation portrays real life experiences uncovered in our research.

Racial prejudice is widespread in societies across Europe, and it affects many ethnic groups. Given their long history of persecution and continuing socio-economic challenges, Roma are especially vulnerable to harmful stereotyping and negative societal attitudes that influence perceptions
of criminal justice decision-makers, and impact criminal justice outcomes.

New research carried out by criminal justice NGO Fair Trials, in partnership with APADOR-CH, the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, and Rights International Spain shows the prevalence of discriminatory views against Roma in criminal justice systems of Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Spain.