Turkey’s Romanis Sue Columnist Over Discrimination

Romani People’s Rights Association based in Ankara submitted a complaint against columnist Emin Çolaşan over discrimination for his article on Sözcü newspaper. 

The aforementioned article was written on February 13 when Çölaşan criticized Edirne Province Governor Dursun Ali Şahin for opening Quran reader training courses 

“You know Romani people…They are the kind of people who live their life by singing songs, play, take life on the light side, have nothing to do with religion and earn their life hard. This is the same everywhere in the world,” Çolaşan wrote. 

In their complaint letter, the association claimed that the aforementioned columnist wrote an article that condescended the pride of Romani people as well as discriminated them by race and aimed to continue the century-long stereotypes against Romani people. 

“As long as these discrimination-bolstering, prejudice-provoking and second-class viewing discourse on Romani people will continue, Romani citizens’ security will always be at risk,” the letter cited.”

The same article also enraged Edirne Romani Culture Research Development and Aid Association. They have also submitting a complaint against Çölaşan. (NV/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.