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...an experience that is burned deep in the collective memory of the Roma and Sinti minorities, but which is still barely acknowledged by the majority in their countries of nationality. As a consequence of the Holocaust, the international political system is extremely sensitive to the various forms of anti-Semitism, whose rise we have observed with great concern in recent years. In contrast to this, there is neither an awareness of the historical dimension of the crimes of genocide committed against our minority nor of the present-day racism that Roma and Sinti are subjected to in many countries.
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In the minds of many people, Roma and Sinti are still associated with homeless "nomads". This contrasts with the historical fact that members of this minority group have been integrated in and are citizens of their respective countries of nationality for many centuries, particularly in Europe. Therefore, most of the European Governments have recognized Roma and Sinti as national minorities who, in addition to the national culture of the majority, also cultivate their own cultural identity, including their traditional language, Romany. The terms "Roma" and "Sinti" are authentic proper names meaning "person". Those of eastern European descent are called "Roma" and those of central European origin are referred to as "Sinti". On the other hand, the foreign term "gypsy" is regarded by most minority members as discriminatory.
Since the end of the cold war and the opening up of central and eastern European countries...
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