Selendi Incidents After One Year 04/01/2011
It has been one year since Selendi incidents happened. Victim families have lived in Salihli district of Manisa for one year. Selendi case will be pent in Uşak city instead of Selendi district of Manisa for security reasons.
In the incident of 5 January, 2010 happened in Selendi over a thousand of people attacked to Gypsy families' houses. With the interference of security forces no lifes were lost but Selendi society got their properties damaged and life safety became an issue so they were transferred first to Gördes and then to Salihli.
How did Selendi incidents start ?
There have been two different assertions about Selendi incidents. It will become clear which of these assertions is right by the end of the lawsuit. Here we will have both assertions.
According to the first idea which was highly creditied by various press institutions it was about person B.U insisting on smoking indoor places despite the smoking ban. B.U was warned about smoking ban in the cafe. After his abusive response a fight started and this incident became a bigger issue and turned into a tradegy.
After victim side's explanations which were againist to the other side's some other claims added to the story. According to this not only person B.U.'s smoking indoor despite the smoking ban in the cafe but also "Gypsies' swearing at mosques, the flag, the God and the state" caused the incidents. And this side also claimed that Gypsies who lived in Selendi were taking part in illegal works including issury. Smoking incident became the the final straw and "Selendi citizens" decided to take an act on that.
But victim side which was listened after two days of the incident had a different story about what happened. Lets remember what the victim side said about the incident.
The Incident's Background
Victim families moved into Selendi in 1978. They used to earn their lives by agricultural working. A short time before the incident happened they used to live by collecting paper and scrap. Also a few of the families buying-selling cars and doing trade.
According to the families who had to leave their houses after the incident, incident had nothing to the with breaking the smoking ban. B.U and his relatives confirm that other people were allowed to smoke in that cafe. This argument was just a made up excuse for the incident. Victim families believe that whole story started three-four months ago.
They were told by different people that they weren't safe in Selendi, some groups were trying to "deport Gypsies from Selendi." But Gypsies didn't take these gossips seriously because they didn't want to believe that their neighbours that have been living together for decades could be a part of such a plan.
But in a short time they notice some changes around them. Even the closest friends start not talking to them. Victim families say all the doors were shutting in their faces. A witness : "There are friends that we grew up together, went to each other's wedding, hang out all the time, played together even they were not welcoming us in the neighbourhood."
After this all the incidents erupted. It is claimed that there was an attack against to Gypsies in a cafe. You can understand the tension from the phrase used in the fight " Gypsies Can Not Enter". Victim citizens who have bad memories about the incident claim that if the criminals were punished after the first incident, this incident wouldn't get that big. Criminals were sort of encouraged by not being punished before.
Again it is claimed that after the first incident tension grew silently till the incident of January 5th. Some sources claim that there were some meetings running in the neighbourhood and people attended to these meeting were being provoked against to Gypsies.
New Year's Eve
Everything started on new year's eve. The owner of the cafe which was took main role in the incident said that B.U wanted to smoke in the cafe despite the smoking ban and he was also drunk and that was the beginnng of everything. Despite this explanation other side has a different story.
IIt is claimed that B.U went to this cafe on the new year's eve and asked for a cup of tea. But the owner of the cafe respond to this by cursing and saying "You can not enter here." When the owner sweared, B.U didn't stay silent and responded to him and after that people in the cafe attacked him. B.U's father had a heart attack after hearing this and lost his life.
Spread City- Wide
Incidents starting from new year's eve got bigger. As like every other step there are different claims about what happened. According to the owner of the cafe and his relatives B.U and his relatives stoned his cafe and broke the windows and threaten him. And so the owner had to shut down his cafe for couple of days to wait things calm down.
According B.U and his relatives it wasn't like that. B.U's relatives said when some women were passing the cafe to go to the bazaar some people sitting in front of the cafe said " Look at these people, we beated them up yesterday but they can still pass by the cafe shamelessly." That increased the stress and the owner's head got injured in the that fight.
According to the various sources after this fight a rumor around Gypsies spreaded around, some people were provoked against to gypsies. With the slanders such as " Gypsies broke into the mosque", "Gysies sweared at the God and the flag." , "Gypsies are molesting to our women." citizens were provoked against to Gypsies.
January 5th
On January 5th victim families were sitting at home without any knowledge about what was going. Around 19.45 electiricy went of in the region. They heart a roar coming towards to them.
The details about the incidents can be found in the indictment which is prepared by public prosecutor by using police official reports, camera records, tv channels' camera records. According to the indictment a big crowd who made to the area of Gypsy houses shout slogans like "Selendi is ours and will stay as ours.", "This is Selendi there is no way out Selendi.", " We don't want Gypsies here, they swear at our mosques, our religion, our wives, our daughters. Kill them. Burn their houses.", "Don't let these ignobles live here. These are Gypsies, we should teach them a lesson. That is enough of them, they steal and disturb us." and started to stone the houses and burn them.
IIn the indictment it also says that some people leading the group said security forces " Group is so angry, don't try to stop it, don't use force against us." and they attacked E.Ç's house. "They are not going to stay here, if they don't leave we will do whatever it takes." and some people from the crowd were shouting slogans like "Beat up Gypsies".
Again in the indictment in one of the records, a guy with a blank firing gun in his hand was shouting to the crowd " We don't want them here, they vilify Selendi" and turning to the police " you think you can scare me with blank gun, do not stand in front of us." And another respondent provokes the crowd: "Roma have to leave, they vilify the neighbourhood, swear at our values.", and to the security forces "let them pass, why are you protecting them, they should deport, shoot, kill Gypsies, they won't stay here."
According to the information gathered from victims after the crowd started to stone and burn houses a big panic started. Families tried to protect their kids from stone by hiding them in chests, wardrobes and even fridges. A witness pictures the incident : " They were stoning the houses. One of the women, who is also my relative, hides his son in the fridge because of the stones. When he is in the fridge she scares and runs away. Then we started look for the kid and couldn't find him for a while. Woman started to cry asking where her son is. "
People who saw the crowd with a number of between 1000-5000 people during the incidents witness that most of this crowd were coming from out of Selendi. According to some rumors they were coming from Alaşehir, Uşak, Demirci and Turgutlu to join to this incident. And so many people from victim group confirm that there were many people that they didn't see before.
Victim families say that they called security forces and asked for their help. Security forces tried to stop this angry group. They also take some of the victims to the security office to protect them. When the attackers change their route to the security office they guard against them.
After The Incident
Victim families were sent to Gördes disctrict of Manisa on account of the fact that their life safety could not be guaranteed in Selendi by the authorities. They stayed in houses of local Roma families and the building of Roma association in Gördes for 2 days. They got food aid from district governerate of Gördes.
Than victim families were sent to Salihli district of Manisa. They feel gratidude for the district governer of Salihli when they think about his support to them to settle in Salihli. Their rents were paid by the district governer for a while and they got food aid for 6 months. Then the red crescent gave food aid to the families for 2 months.
What Did They Lose
Most of the victim families were tenant in Selendi. However some of them had their house ownership. These ones lost their houses after the incident. Now, they are also tenant in their new houses in Salihli. They lost most of their furnitures. They are trying to start a new life with only a bed and a stove which they found hardly.
Goods of the families who plied a trade were damaged in the incident. Some families emphasize that they also lost their money which they had hired in their houses before. Today, they are trying to start from stratch under these hard circumstances. Some of them tried to work in factories and as agricultural workers in Salihli. However in this season, demand for agricultural workers was low and this situation made subsistence harder for the families.
Today, most of the families are collecting scrap to subsist. It look almost impossible for them to retrieve the things they lost in the incident because of they have no regular job or any capital. Their first demand from the authorities is a regular job to compensate their pains.
Selendi Lawsuit is Continuining
Selendi case which had the first trial in December 16, 2010, is continuining with 80 suspect. Victims side's advocate asked the court pending the case in another city for security reasons. And suspects' advocate asked the court the trials to take place in Selendi with the reason " For fair judgement and suspects' free right to advocate themselves."
The folder has been sent by prosecution to Penal Department No.5 of the Supreme Court via Ministry of Justice. Supreme Court found the victim side right and decided pending courts in Uşak Criminal Court of General Jurisdiction. Court will pick a day and inform both sides.
Although there has been no official statement, it is thought that the main reason for pending the court in another city is the possibility of a new provocation. According to the rumor some provocative groups try to provoke people against the victims who will testify in the court. Families who were worried because of these rumors had a big relief with the courts decision.
Source: Cingeneyiz Manisa
Roma Associations Organize A Seminar In İzmir 04/01/2011
A seminar named "Roma and Politics In 2011" will be organized with participation of various Roma associations at January 9, 2011. Participants will gather in İzmir Exposition İsmet İnönü Art Center for the seminar.
Abdullah Cıstır who made a press statement as the representative of some Roma associations used these words in his statement: "We hope participation of political parties to our seminar. We invite our participants to listen our problems and expectations. We hope to see you among us for the seminar. Even after we speak and demand for our needs."
There are some Roma associations among participants of the seminar including Social Cooperation and Solidarity Association of İzmir Roma, Roma Culture Social Cooperation and Solidarity Association, İzmir Yenişehir Development Association, Musician Association of İzmir, Roma Culture Social Cooperation and Solidarity Association of Urla, Roma Youth Education and Culture Association.
Didim Roma Established A Dans Studio 05/01/2011
Rumelian Roma Cooperation and Solidarity Association of Didim open a course to teach local Roma dance. The course arouses interest in the Didim district of Aydin city of Turkey. There is also a Roma Dance Group prepared by the association.
The course which started at December 13, 2010 is being teached in The Municipality Wedding-Ceremony Hall. The course is active on Monday and Wednesday between 19.00-21.00. The association doesn't demand any price for teaching course from participants between 13-17 ages. Administration of the association emphasize that people who want to join the activity could come to the Municipality Wedding-Ceremony Hall on the time or come to the association and register themselves for the course.
The Roma Dance Group have played an essential role in the district to publicize Roma culture and Roma dance. It's also believed that the course will support this improvement. Authorities sharing their view about the issue explained that the course and the dance group have contributed tourism in the district.
Roma Dance Group
Roma Associations Gathered In Ankara 06/01/2011
Representative of Roma associations gathered in Ankara. State minister Faruk Çelik made a statement for the associations to introduce the improvement about the situation of Roma in Turkey from the first Roma workshop.
State minister Faruk Çelik emphasized that they will do an important job for Roma in 2011 and added: "Roma won't feel humiliated anymore because of their identity.". Çelik remind the meeting at December 10, 2009 to be the first of Roma associations and officials to league together for solving problems. Çelik described the situation of Roma with those words: "They are the citizens who are on the edge of a cliff.".
Çelik said that they are aware of problems of Roma still exist on account of the fact that prejudices can't be disappeared suddenly. Çelik added "We reached better standards comparing to yesterday, comparing to December 10, 2009. We have covered a distance to overcome the prejudices targeting Roma." Çelik also pointed at they have changed some laws including discriminative expressions against Roma. Faruk Çelik showed collective housings, which are claimed to be built for Roma, as an example for improvement about the issue of Roma and added: "We started to build 8218 house in 8 months. This is not enough. We will do more."
Representative of Roma associations went to the parliament to listen the speech of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for Justice and Development Party group meeting. Erdoğan speak to Roma people in his speech using those words: "My Roma brother and sister are the first class citizens of this country. I growed together with Roma, we lived in same neighbourhood, we went to same school. And i am also comfortable with this situation." Erdoğan point at the houses claimed to be built for Roma and he emphasized that they are preparing projects for 10000 more collective housings to be built. He also added that these houses will given to beneficiaries step by step. Erdoğan said that the ministry of interior will help Roma citizens to get their identification cards from now on. Representative of Roma associations leave the parliament after the speech of Erdoğan.
There will be an other Roma meeting at this weekend (January 7-8-9; 2011). The meeting is being organized by Çetin Soysal (Parliamentarian from the opposition party) with participating of some Roma associations from Marmara and Aegean Regions of Turkey. The president of opposition party (Republican People's Party) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will also participate the meeting and workshop which will be done in Kuşadası Fantasia Hotel.
Sources: Cihan News Agency-Gazete 2000
The Roma Workshop Organized In Kuşadası 10/01/2011
The workshop named "Workshop of Roma Platform of Turkey" was organized with participation of Roma associations in Kuşadası at January 7-8-9, 2011. There were associations mostly from Aegean and Marmara regions of Turkey in the workshop. The Mayor of Aydın Özlem Çerçioğlu, the mayor of Kuşadası M. Esat Altungün, the president of the opposition party ( Republican People's Party) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and vice presidents of the opposition party Gürsel Tekin, Alaattin Yüksel, Umut Oran and Hurşit Güneş also participated the activity which organized with support of Kuşadası Municipality.
The president of Federation of Aydın United Roma Associations Cemal Erkasap said that they started Roma workshop with participation of the governor party ( Justice and Development Party ) and with the new workshop they sustain this activity with participation of the opposition party. Erkasap also emphasized that they plan to organize new workshops with other political parties. Erkasap evaluated the meeting with those words: "We discuss appreciation of the situation here with association from various regions of Turkey. What we do until now and what will do in future? 124 associations participate the workshop. The first message we get here to publicity is that we are not a political party or supporters of any political party as Roma associations. We are non-govermental organizations. We are not members of any political party."
The President of Gypsy Culture Research, İmprovement and Solidarity Association Mustafa Taşçeviren, who participates to the workshop for Thracian Roma Association Union, points at problems arising from unemployment with those words "All of our problems could be solved naturally if we are employed. Employment could solve Roma problems about many different topics like housing or culture." Taşçeviren also emphasized that they want to treat equally to all political parties.
The president of Kocaeli Roma Association Demir Duygun said that they hope local authorities consider Roma associations to determine their Roma policy. He evaluates the activity with those words: "If we don't play our instruments, those singers can not sing their songs. We know our selves. Media have to focus on real problems. I am a first class citizen. I am Demir, the Çingene with a great honor."
Member of Supreme Board of Federation of Roma Associations Ahmet İzgi asks Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the president of the opposition party, to apologize Roma for the discriminative law which classify Gypsy with spy and anarchist legislated by his party at 1934 in one-party rule period.
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu speaks to the question of Ahmet İzgi in his speech with those words: "I don't know why the law legislated at that time. However first request for change proposal about the law was given by Enis Tütüncü, a parlimentarian from our party." Kılıçdaroğlu emphasized that the biggest problem of Roma community is housing. He evaluates the issue with those word "You have to create alternate housing models for you which give you a chance to live together under modern circumstances." Kılıçdaroğlu also offers Roma representative to unite their associtions and added: "If you are divided among yourselves you will be governed by others. You have to unite. This is the only way for you to influence politicians."
The president of Milas Drum Players and Roma Culture Association Dursun Girgin shared his perspective about the activity with us. Girgin emphasized that the workshop is not agenda of any political party. Girgin said that the main aim of the activity is to organize a supreme board for Roma organizations. The only way to be effective for Roma and all Gypsy groups is to work in a regular coordination according to Dursun Girgin.
Roma associations organized a supreme board from elected representative of Roma associations in the workshop. There would also be a surveillance committe to check the supreme board. Member of the supreme board decided to gather again as soon as possible to determine a policy for Roma organizations about various topics.
Source: Doğan News Agency / Çingeneyiz Aydın
Heartbreak In Sakarya 12/01/2011
Two Roma children burn to death in their slum in Çamyolu neighbourhood of Adapazarı district. All of residents are all broken up over children to lose their life terribly. İ.A, mother of one of the children is injured in the fire while she was trying to save them.
The file outbreak due to an unknown reason caused two children to lose their life in Şehit İbrahim Güneş street of Çamyolu neighbourhood. İ. A, who was washing the clothes at the time of incident, entered the ablaze house to save the children. However her chothes took fire and she was injured. Then she was taken to Yenikent Public Hospital. People saw dead bodies of the children after putting out the fire. One of them was Hazal, daughter of İ. A, 2 aged. The other one is one of their relatives, Zeynep Sude 4 aged. Dead bodies were sent to legal medicine after investigation of public prosecutor.
Roma drum player Ayhan Küçükboyacı and parliamentarian Ali Koyuncu came to the neighbourhood to give condolence to the victim family. Ali Koyuncu said that new houses will be built there by Mass Housing Administration (TOKİ)
Abdals Demans A Conservatory 14/01/2011
Kırşehir Abdals, who have financial difficulties because of being forbidden of street weddings have a demand from the municipality. They ask municipality to establish a conservatory to let them survive their traditional music culture.
Abdals, whose traditional occupation is musicianship, transfer Bozlak culture ( a musical form of Anatolia related to middle asian turanic music ) to the next generations for hundreds of years. However, it's getting difficult to survive the culture on account of the fact that Abdal musicians can not subsist on their traditional occupation nowadays. An Abdal musician tells their demands with those words: "We hope our Mayor Yaşar Bahçeçi to establish a culture center in Bağbaşı neighbourhood and employ us there. As Neşet Ertaş ( one of the famous Abdal musicians ) said, Bozlak culture is dying. We want our children to be educated in conservatory and maintain our tradional occupation."
A recent decision maden by Provincial Department of Environment and Forestry forbid street weddings which is the most important source of income of Abdal musicians. Now, only hope of Abdal musicians is a conservatory to be established within in the scope of the municipality.
Abdals, who are one of the peripatetic groups with middle asian origin, have some other traditional occupations beside musicianship: blacksmithing, basketmaking, sieve-making, folk-dancing, circumcising, folk medicine, horse trade, coppersmithing, jewellery and hunting... However, many of these traditional occupations disappeared with becoming widespread of industry.
Today, some individuals with Abdal origin, who lost their traditional jobs, are agricultural workes. Some others are sheepherding for animals of villagers. And many of them migrated to big cities and trying to make a living the hard way. There is an important Abdal population in the cities like İstanbul, Ankara, Konya, İzmir...
Source: Cihan News Agency.
The Serial Is Not Bearable Any More 19/01/2011
Garbling of Gypsy society in a serial named "Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman ki" have got reaction from publicity. Characters especially underlined to be Gypsy in the serial are maden look like evil.
Some scenes in a serial named "Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman ki" and being featured in Kanal D television wounded deeply Gypsy society. Somehow these humiliating scenes are well prepared. Further there are some professional dancers taking part in the serial to underline the characters are Gypsy. One of the professional dancers is also a Roma Gypsy. Gypsy tents and Roma music complete the purposeful decor to convince audiences about the origin of evil characters of the serial.
The young Gypsy character of the serial, who comes up mysteriously and disappears mysteriously with his horse in previous chapters, decided to elope with a female character named Aylin in 16th chapter. The young Gypsy character is introduced as a psychopat in the serial. He tried to kidnap the girl with his friends but failed in 16th chapter. Then he is being punished by one of the main male characters of the serial in 17th chapter.
These scenes in which the main male character punishes the one underlined to be Gypsy are fictionalised so interestingly. A few gunned men raid a Gypsy camp where the young Gypsy character lives in. They awaken people and put in train in front of the main male character at gun point. There are also children and old people in a state of fear. Our mail male character is not sorry for frightening innocent people unrelated with the issue in this way. Heros are free to forget heroism rules when it comes to Gypsies...
The main male character and his guards pick out the young Gypsy character and his friends. Then the main male character starts to revile the young Gypsy. "Dog! Who are you? What are you?". It's typical for main male characters to ask bad guys "Who are you" to despise them in this kind serials. However the main male character asks an other question in this serial to despise the young Gypsy: "What are you?". It's possible that scenarists of the serial are influenced by the prejudices stigmatizing Gypsy as non-human.
The main male character, who was a calm person in previous chapters, turns to a very angry person when he see the young Gypsy character. He shoots at the young Gypsy characters hand. Then he declares: "You will go from here." He believes that he has the right to exile poor people on account of the fact that one of them does wrong.
Scenarist of the serial strengthen prejudices targeting Gypsy with these kind of scenes. Gypsy people are worried about these kind of scenes in which prejudices are reproduced. Scholars are also worry about the issue that these kind of scenes put negative sterotypes about Gypsy to childrens and teenagers subconscious.
Gypsy peoples have suffered from rumours like "Gypsy people kidnap your children". This time mass media creates new rumours like "Gypsy people elope with your girls." All sensible citizens hope Kanal D television not to feature these kind of scenes anymore which are not suitable to their broadcasting principles.
Presidential Election In Hacı Evhat Neighbourhood 24/01/2011
President of Haci Evhat Neighourhood Improvement and Solidarity Association is elected in Malkara. Former president Göksel Fil is elected as president with 74 votes in the election. There was 2 more candidate in the election.
The election is started with spech of the candidates to introduce themselves. The other candidates Nevzat Uzdur and Dursun Kocabaş beside former president Göksel Fil shared their ideas about future of the neighbourhood and their projects they planned in their speeches.
After speech of the candidates, voting process started. Göksel Fil took 74 votes, Nevzat Uzdur took 65 votes and Dursun Kocabaş took 64 votes. President of Malkara Roma and Porters Association Niyazi Güneş and his friends from Gazibey Neighbourhood were visitors in the election which aroused interest from Malkara residents.
We, as Çingeneyiz.org family, wish new administration of Hacı Evhat Neighbourhood Improvement and Solidarity Association success.
Source: Çingeneyiz Tekirdağ
Mustafa Aksu Will Be On Television 26/01/2011
Retired bureaucrat Mustafa Aksu, one of the important Gyspy intellectuals of Turkey will be on Halk Tv channel on Friday, January 28th at 21.00 o'clock. Aksu will inform publicity about culture and problems of Gypsies in Turkey in the program.
Mustafa Aksu was borned in 1931 in Düzce Çilimli. He started to work as an official at Turkish State Railways after he completed his education facing so many difficulties. Mustafa Aksu put his heart to solve problem of Gypsies and to overcome prejudices targeting Gypsies. Mustafa Aksu made some researches to reveal prejudices and myths about Gypsies interviewing with many non-Gypsy people. He published a book named "Being Gypsy In Turkey". The book made 3 edition. Mustafa Aksu made a legal struggle against the insulting words about Gypsies in public dictionaries. These statements were removed from the dictionary of Turkish Linguistic Society by force of legal struggle of Mustafa Aksu.
These statements from his book is such as a summary of his life and his struggle: "Being Gypsy means to face major obstacles and to fight against these obstacles when you want to marry with the one you love or when you want to work in a regular job..." The program which will be featured on Friday evening is a big chance to listen his life story and major obstacles he faced from him in person.
Note: The program we announced before postponed to another date due to Mustafa Aksu's illness.
Heartbreak In Samsun 28/01/2011
2 and half aged baby named Kübra living in Tekkeköy district of Samsun lost her life. It's said in first medical reports Kübra died of starvation. Medical researches continue to reveal definite cause to death
B. family have faced many difficulties throughout their life. They live in a neighbourhood under hard circumstances. The truth is that they live in extreme poverty. Such as these were not enough, the father M. B had a work accident in 2008. M. B, who lost one of his legs as a result of the accident, is still waiting to receive an injury report to benefit from disability allowance since 2008. He is unemployment ever since. The mother N. B is obliged to beg for a piece of bread under these circumstances.
The family have been suffering for losing their baby 2 and half aged. Their first children Kumru died when she was 5 years old. Now, their pain is doubled. The mother N. B said that she was not able to eat enough when she was puerpera. As a result of this, her breast milk was not enough nutritive to survive the baby. First medical reports confirmed the claim of N. B. It was written in the reports that the baby died of starvation.
Roma associations went to the region to investigate the incident. Representatives of the associations said that they will hold official talks with authorities about the issue. They also emphasized that there are many residents in the neighbourhood living under similar conditions with B family.
Source: Haber Newspaper, Çingeneyiz Samsun
Engin Ardıç's Trial Will Happen In February, 8th 01/02/2011
The case presented on account of the fact that there is a claim about author Engin Ardıç to insult Gypsy women and flower sellers in his article will be seen in the second court of general sessions of Sultanahmet in February 8th at 10.00 am. Representative of many Gypsy NGOs will gather in front of the second court of general sessions of Sultanahmet on that date. Metin Salih Şentürk, the president of Kuştepe Roma Flower Sellers Association, evaluated the issue with those words: "The case we presented about Engin Ardıç will be seen in February 8th. We hope all Roma associations to be more sensitive about the issue and invite all of you to gather in front of the court of Sultanahmet in the day of the case."
The article of Engin Ardıç published on Sabah Newspaper in 2010, July 22th got reaction from Gypsies and all sensitive citizens. All of Gypsy women were blamed to act as a prostitute exemplifiying a Rumenian woman Engin Ardıç claimed to met in Romania in the article. After a while later, NGOs made a press statement to condemn Engin Ardıç and they have emphasized that they would use their legal rights against Engin Ardıç.
Source: Çingeneyiz İstanbul
Çingeneyiz TV Starts To Broadcast 04/02/2011
Çingeneyiz TV starts to broadcast on February 7th 2011 Monday over our web page. Çingeneyiz Tv as an online television will contribute Gypsy culture to be represented and promoted. Regular programs be started as soon as possible. Air time of Çingeneyiz TV will be between 00.00-18.00. Radio Çingene broadcasting will continue to be on air between 18.00 / 00.00 as it is before.
Çingeneyiz TV will be open for everybody who want to share their art, culture, craft and problems with our audiences. There will be amateur videos of Gypsy musicians, documentaries and some short movies on Çingeneyiz Tv. Çingeneyiz Tv Team will also prepare some videos for amateur musicians.
For contact: cingeneyiz@yahoo.com
Gymnasium Became Their Home 08/02/2011
Two Roma family live in a gymnasium which is out of use even the construction was completed long time ago. They maintain the gymnasium and they gatekeep in the gymnasium without getting paid.
The gymnasium which is builded by İstanbul Special Provincial Administration is out of use due to various reasons. Flood disaster existed in 2009, September caused material damage in the gymnasium.
Two Roma family who cleaned the gymnasium after the flood disaster started to live in the gymnasium. The families furnished some rooms of the gymnasium according to their needs. They introduce the importance of their gatekeeping in the gymnasium with these words: "If we are not here, people will steal everything from here."
There are many discussions about the gymnasium in Silivri examining why the gymnasium is still out of use. We believe that there is an other topic to discuss: Housing problem which force people to find unusual solutions as we see in this example.
Source: Akşam
Roma Associations Made A Press Statement 09/02/2011
Roma associations gathering with the invitation of İstanbul Roma Flower Sellers Association protested Engin Ardıç, who is on trial for insulting Gypsies via press, and made a press statement about the issue. The president of İstanbul Roma Flower Sellers Association Metin Salih Şentürk read his speech text representing all of Roma associations who protest Engin Ardıç.
The trial seen in Sultanahmet Courthouse is postponed to 2011, April. The article of Engin Ardıç published on 2010, July 22th got huge reaction from sensitive publicity and Gypsy community. The prosecutor asked for a prison sentence from 6 months to 1 year claiming Engin Ardıç to insult Gypsies via press in public.
Here is the full text of press statement
"We made a denunciation against Engin Ardıç. Because he insulted us with his racist article named "Yemezler" published on Sabah newspaper on 2010, July 22th.
Sultanahmet Courthouse accepted our denunciation. The trial seen first time today is our honor.
Engin Ardıç said that "It is useless trying to civilize Roma" in his article.
And now, we said that we are determined to civilize people like Engin Ardıç, who have prejudices targeting Roma and insult our people because of our ethnic identity, using legal ways.
We explained our demand to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. We repeat here again. We have also a few words to say about the work of new constitution.
The new constitution have to civilize everybody discriminating people because of their ethnic identity, religion or gender. We want to live with our honor. We want the new constitution to show being insulted is not a destiny.
We hope Engin Ardıç to learn insulting poor people making a living the hard way is shameful.
...
Mr Ardıç. 3 million Roma people are waiting for an apology from you.
Metin Salih Şentürk
İstanbul Roma Flower Sellers Association"
Roma Band Of İzmir Established 15/02/2011
A band which is formed consisting of 18 Roma musicians is established with the contributions of İzmir Konak Municipality and İzmir Roma Musicians Association. The band will be an important chance for Roma musicians to show ability.
İzmir Konak Municipality provided musical instruments and uniforms for the band. The band will play for various foundations in special occasions. Musicians who play in band is elected in the selection done in the office of İzmir Roma Musicians Association at 2011, January 31th. It's required to have note knowledge for playing in the band according to the statement maden by Roman Musicians Association. It's also said that various instruments will be played in the band including tuba, trombone, side-blown flute, clarinet, trumpet ext in the statement of the association.
İzmir Roma Band performed yesterday for Valentine Day as their first activity in the municipality building of İzmir Konak. The concert got positive reactions from the publicity.
Election For Presidency Of The Federation 17/02/2011
First ordinary meeting of the board of Federation of İstanbul Roma Associations was conducted in Beylikdüzü Delta Plaza. Former president Semih Makaracı is elected as president again in the election.
Representatives from Roma associations of Esenyurt, Beylikdüzü, Çatalca, Yakuplu, Silivri Gazitepe, Büyükçekmece Karaağaç, Centre of Silivri, Avcılar Balıkyolu, Başakşehir Hoşdere, Fatih Sulukule, Zeytinburnu participated the first ordinary meeting of the board of Federation of İstanbul Roma Associations.
There was two candidate for presidency of the federation in the election. 68 delegate voted in the election. Ahmet İzgi took 30 vote and Semih Makaracı took 38 vote. Former president Mr. Makaracı is elected as president and made a statement to delegates about their agenda for the future. He emphasized that they plan to organize a great festival for the world Roma day, April 8th.
Source: Çingeneyiz İstanbul
They Want To Benefit From Family Practice 18/02/2011
Citizens with Roma and Abdal origin living in tents and shacks under hard conditions in Ataşehir district of İstanbul are unable to benefit from family practice center. Because they can't take their certificate of residence. They also unable to benefit from public hospitals with the exception of emergency patients.
They live in their tents and shacks behind the building of Ataşehir District Governorate. They have had some difficulties to reach public utilities as a result of being unable to take certificate of residence. Today, they have an other problem with starting of family practice implementation.
When they went to Küçükbakkalköy Health Care Center, they learned that the center had been converted to Küçükbakkalköy Family Practice Center. When they went to public hospitals on account of the fact that they were unable to benefit from family practice due to lacking of certificate of residence, they were paradoxically adviced to go closest famil practice center. This actually means to be destitute of health services.
People who live under difficult conditions for many years hope authorities to solve their problems as soon as possible. They empasize that the problem is so urgent due to being widespread of health problems as a result of poverty and the cold season.
Source: Çingeneyiz İstanbul
Rhapsody of Selanik Sport In Samsun 22/02/2011
The second match of Selanik Sport, which consists of Roma youth from Yavuz Selim and 200 Evler neighbourhoods, in first amateur football league of Samsun started with support of 200 Roma residents from the neighbourhoods.
Selanik Sport played a football match with Kavak Yaşar Doğu Sport which also plays in first amateur football league of Samsun. Selanik Sport won the match score of 4-3 with its great performance of second half. Selanik Sport have won 3 points with the match in the league.
The guest team Kavak Yaşar Doğu moved forward with the goal of Satılmış at 28th minute. Selanik Sport equalize the scort with the goal of Ramazan at 32th minute. Selanik Sport moved forward with goals of Anıl, Ramazan and Süleyman at 58th, 82th and 88th minutes in the second half. Kavak Yaşar Doğu Sport made 2 goal with Satılmış and Bülent at 62th and 68th minutes.
Footballers of Selanik Sport celebrated the score with their supporters. Roma resident met them with a great rhapsody in their neighbourhoods.
Source: Çingeneyiz Samsun
Dikili Roma Association Made A Press Statement 23/02/2011
Members of Dikili Roma Association marched in protest from Ümmetoğlu Hotel to Atatürk Square to demand mass housing from TOKİ (Mass Housing Administration). President of the association Sitem Kara made a press statement introducing demands.
Dikili Roma Association's members gathering infront of Ümmetoğlu Hotel made demands of TOKİ to built mass housing for Roma in Dikili on 2011, February 22th at 12.00. They especially emphasized that housing right is one of the main human rights in the press statement. Sitem Kara, president of the association, read the statement text. He said that they hope authorities to be more quick to build mass houising for Roma in Dikili. Kara also emphasized that their demand for mass housing is also a need of all residents of Dikili: "We want mass housing in our district not only for us. We want mass housing also for everybody who live in Dikili. People from different ethnic origins live together peacefully in Dikili."
The president Sitem Kara said that they received an official document from the district governorate and it's claimed in the document that there is 93 decare land in where TOKİ could build mass housing in Dikili district of İzmir.
Residents of Hacı Evhat Visited The Governor 04/03/2011
Administrators of Hacı Evhat Neighbourhood Development and Solidarity Association visited the governor of Tekirdağ, Zebeyir Kemelek. Residents introduced their demands in the meeting which existed with the participation of the neighbourhood council
Members of Hacı Evhat Neighbourhood council, the president of Hacı Evhat Neighbourhood Development and Solidarity Association, Göksel Fil, and the member of administrative board of the association, Sami Adalı, participated the meeting. They introduced problems and demands of the residents including difficulties students living in the neighbourhood have to the governor.
The president of the association, Göksel Fil, made a detailed presentation about two social project they prepared in the meeting. The governor, Zübeyir Kemelek, said that he is glad to hear associations prepare this kind of social project and he promised to support the projects. Members of the neighbourhood council introduced their demand for vocational course in the neighbourhood to be established as soon as possible.
On the other hand, a literacy course is established in the neighbourhood in collaboration with the district governor of Malkara, Yunus Fatih Kadiroğlu. Administrators of the course announced that they will place a premium to people who learn reading and writing in the course.
Source: Çingeneyiz Tekirdağ
Roma Workshop In Canik 09/03/2011
A Roma workshop is organized by the city council of Canik related to the municipality with participation of Roma representatives and mukhtars in Canik district of Samsun. Problems of Roma community in Canik were evaluated in the workshop.
The meeting organized by the coordinator of the city council, Reşat Kılınçarslan was in the Canik Culture Center. Scholars from Samsun Counselling and Research Instute, Tuğba Yılmaz and Emre Arman, were participated to the workshop with observer statute. Roma lifestyle, determining of the situation of Roma, unemployment problem were the topics discussed in the workshop. Civil society initiatives related to Roma of Canik were prioritized in the meeting.
It's decided to visit neighbourhoods to examine on site the situation of Canik Roma in the workshop. Coordinator of the city council, Reşat Kılınçarslan evaluated the workshop with those words: "-Think together, Make decisions together, Solve the problems together-. This will be our main rule from now on."
Source: Çingeneyiz Samsun
"Mysterious Children of Secret History: Roma" 11/03/2011
A documentary named "Mysterious Children of Secret History: Roma" will be broadcasted on TRT Türk Channel 2011, March 11th on 20.20. Biography of Roma musician Deli Selim will be introduced in the first chapter of the documentary.
Director and producer of the documentary is Müjgan Taner. Screenplay of the documentary is prepared by Burçak Evren. It's focused on the life and musical career of Deli Selim of Edirne in the first chapter of the documentary. The producer explain that they will share new documents which never published before about Deli Selim in the documentary.
There is a short introduction on the web page of TRT Turk about the documentary. They evaluate the documentary with those words there: "Turkey is one of the countries Roma chose as land. We tried to understand why they are different. We tried to understand their lifestyle, their world view. We tried to show their problems and social statute without any comment."
Production team made interviews with some of representatives of Roma society. The president of MUZKAT-DER and author of Milas Önder web page, Dursun Girsin, is one of the Roma representatives who give interviews to the production team.
Roma Gathered In The Spring Festival In Didim 23/03/2011
The third Spring Festival of Didim district of Aydın win recognition from either Roma of the district and the other non-Roma citizens. District governor of Didim, Ali Katırcı; mayor of Didim, Mümin Kamacı; president of Didim Rumelian Roma Cooperation, Solidarity and Culture Association, Metin Çakır and other administrators of the association participated to the activity which is organized by Didim Rumelian Roma Cooperation, Solidarity and Culture Association.
Troupe of Aydın Roma Association, Folk Dance Society of Didim Akbük, Troupe of Didim Roma Association took the stage in amphitheater of Didim municipality in the context of the Festival. Hüseyin Yaltırı, a folk music singer who works for Turkish Radio Television Foundation, also gave a concer.
Didim mayor Mümin Kamacı evaluating the festival said that the festival have to be traditionalised.
Source: Anatolian Agency
Food Prepared By Gypsies Is Inedible 25/03/2011
An incident claimed to be existed in kindergarden of Fevzi Çakmak Elementary School in Malkara district of Tekirdağ gets reaction from publicity. Parents of the children who go to the kindergarden prepare food for the children alternately. When it comes to mother of a Gypsy child H.B, one of teachers of kindergarden offered her to receive food from outside, not to prepare at their home. The mother asked for reason of the offer. The teacher answered the question with those words: "Because you are Gypsy.". It's said that there is an other Gypsy child in the kindergarden and they are also very sad because of the incident.
If the allegations are true, it means some ancient prejudices still exist. There were some myths among non-Gypsy people claiming that food prepared by Gypsies is inedible. Parents of H.B, who emphasized that they won't ignore the incident and they will take legal action against the teacher, summitted a petition to district national education directorate to complain the teacher. Father of H. B, D.B, evaluated the issue with those words: "Teacher who will educate our children shouldn't have this mentality. The incident disappointed us. We are waiting a positive reaction from administrators. We will seek our rights legal ways." It's said that people of Malkara are really anxious because of the incident.
Source: Çingeneyiz Tekirdağ
Malkara District Governor Visited Roma Association 06/04/2011
Malkara District Governor Yunus Fatih Kadiroğlu visited Hacı Evhat Neighbourhood Development and Solidarity Association with a committe including local authorities. Kadiroğlu got information about the situation of the residents from members and administrators of the association.
District Security Director, Gendermarie Regional Commander, Chief of Health Department, District Directorate of Agriculture, Head of The Registry Office, Muhtar of Haci Evhat Neighbourhood, Chamber of Commerce President, Director of Foundations and village muhtars also participated to the visitation which was planned by the district governorate. Kadiroğlu said they will primarily try to solve educational problems of the residents. He also emphasized that there will be some business opportunity for the people in textile sector in future.
Administrators of the association said that they are happy to be visited by the local authorities and they hope to save the communication channels which exist between them and local authorities.
Source: Çingeneyiz Tekirdağ
8th April Celebration Postponed 08/04/2011
Some activities have been organized to celebrate anniversary of the First World Roma Congress all over the Europe in 8th April in last few years. The festival planned to be organized near Balat coast of İstanbul in the context of 8th April is postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
A festival was organized last year to celebrate 8th April near Balat coast with addings of local authorities and Roma associations. It is being planned to traditionalize the festival with participation of Roma music groups. The festival will be done in 14th April this year with same program as planned according to the statement maden by curriculum committee.
Delegates from various Balkan and European countries participated to the meeting which is identified by the organizers as The First World Roma Congress. Participators discussed how to coordinate local Roma movements in the congress. Although there were some participators representing Roma from Balkan countries, there were no one representing Roma from Turkey
Source: Çingeneyiz İstanbul
Child Allowance Throngs In Edirne 11/04/2011
The child allowance given to poor families by Edirne Social Cooperation and Solidarity Foundation via Post Office Department thronged in front of building of Post Office Department In Saraçlar Street of Edirne. Security officials of the building took in people group by group to control the crowd.
Social Cooperation and Solidarity Foundation supports financially poor families to reimburse their children's needs. The foundation gives 40 or 50 lira (33 $) poor families for each children every other month. People waiting for child allowance in Edirne were crowded in front of building of Post Office Department in Saraçlar Street of Edirne. Some families complained that they are not able to receive the support regularly. Administrators of Social Cooperation and Solidarity Foundation said that support of some families who don't send their children to school regularly could be given up.
Source: Doğan News Agency
Tent Fire In Ümraniye 18/04/2011
A fire broke out in the tents in Yukarı Dudulu Neighbourhood of Ümraniye district of İstanbul in 2011 April 14th. The fire damaged furnitures, tent of Arakara family and a car which is used to collect scrap and paper by the family. Fortunately, there were no one who lost its life or injured in the incident. However, dogs kept by the family burnt to death.
Arakara family who lived in a shanty in Alemdağ Nişantepe came to Ümraniye a few years ago and started to live in a tent there. There are too many families living there in tents without infrastructure services. These families living in tents in Alemdağ, Ümraniye, Ataşehir, Küçükbakkalköy with Roma and Abdal origin come into question with the fire incident. Local authorities say that the fire was caused by electrical failure. However the residents claim that the fire could be started by some individuals who nurture enmity towards Arakara family.
The Arakara family with 4 children who lost everything in the fire hopes authorities to help them. All the families living in the tents are waiting for a quick solution for housing problem.
Source: Doğan News Agency
Land Title Distribution In Shanty Town 20/04/2011
Citizens, who have lived in the Shanty Town in Burhaniye district of Balıkesir more than 30 years, were given their land titles. It's said that the neighbourhood where the citizens live will be demolished and an organized industrial site will be builded on the area.
The residents with Roma origin got their land titles with a ceremony organized in front of the local government office. 30 residents living in the neighbourhood were given their land titles by the governor Ali Uslanmaz and members of general provincial council Hasan Küçükdereli and Melih Ersezen. President of the local Roma Association Turhan Tartı thanks the governor Ali Uslanmaz for the land title distribution.
An organized industrial site for olive production will be builded on area of the neighbourhood in the coming days. Residents have the right to be paid an expropriation price when their houses are confiscated as they have their land titles now.
Source: Balıkesir Ayna Newspaper
Seminar About Roma of Antalya 25/04/2011
Associate professor Mustafa Oral participated in a seminar named City Museum History Seminars about Roma of Antalya which is organized by Antalya Metropolitan Municipality. Mustafa Oral shared his knowledges about history and traditions of Roma living in Antalya with the participants.
Mustafa Oral gave some examples showing Roma to be dicriminated from history of Antalya in his speech. He also emphasized that Roma is one of the ancient societies of world history. Mr. Oral underlined that Roma culture is one of the founder elements of the culture of Antalya.
There is a crowded population of Gypsies in Antalya. Some Abdal groups, most of them settled in Zeytinköy neighbourhood, live in the city beside Roma.
Source: Web Page of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality
Çayırbaşı Roma Platform Established 27/04/2011
Çayırbaşı Roma Platform is established with a festival organized in the neighbourhood with participation of the residents. One of the representetives of the platform, Yaşar Taşkent made a statement emphasizing that they plan to prepare projects about various problems just like unemployment or unability to reach education after the festival which is done with participation of 2500 Roma. Yaşar Taşkent underlined that they will do their best to send roma children to conservatory as students and teachers.
Residents of the neighbourhood organized Ederlezi Festivals and tours to Mausoleum of Bolca Nine, which is accepted as a holy historical character by Gypsies of Turkey, with addings of Sarıyer Mayor. They are planning to work more systematically from now on as they gather under the same roof of the platform.
Source: Sarıyer News
Roma Festival In Kocaeli 11/05/2011
1. Roma Festival which is planned to be tradionalized is organized with cooperation of Kocaeli municipality and local Roma organizations. Governor Ercan Topaca, Mayor İbrahim Karaosmanoğlu, municipality general secretary Ersin Yazıcı and provincial culture and tourism director Adnan Zamburkan participated to the festival. Antalya Roma Association, Ayvalık Roma Association, Düzce Roma Association and Gypsy organizations from Macedonia, Hungary, Romania and Georgia sent reprensetatives to the organization.
Violin orkestar with 1000 musician gave their first concert in Seka Park in the context of the festival. Gypsy Kings and Esma Recepova, the mother of Gypsies, took the stage in the festival. Activities is completed with concerts of Kibariye and Ciguli. It's being planned to organize the festival next year again.
Source: Çingeneyiz Kocaeli, Photos: Serkan Şentürk
What Is Happening In Mersin 23/05/2011
There has been a big fight in one of the poor areas of Mersin, Cilek Neighbourhood in between the local communities. The reason of the fight is not clear yet. In the fight between 1 journalist and 7 police officers, 41 people got injured in total and Mehmet Zülfi Tuncer lost his life. 10 cars were set on fire and incidents kept going in spite of the interference by the security forces'. 14 families were moved to another region after signing a document. The document stated that those families were leaving the region voluntarily.
Allegedly the fight started between the internet café owner and the kids in the café because of the 'timing' but it has not been enlightened how the incidents turned into an fight. During the incidents some of the families' furnitures were set on fire after of getting into the fight.
Media Always Does This
It was noticeable that some media organizations reflected the incidents one sidedly. The fight between the Çilek region locals was reflected to the public as "Cono tribes and the citizens came from East and South East had a fight." Some media organizations who didn't accept one of the parts as citizens in the past did the same thing again and didn't count the Çilek Neighbourhood locals who were called as "Cono". Some media organizations telling about the incidents as "public's reaction to drug selling and prostitution" reminded the incidents happened in Manisa, Selendi. 20 families had to leave the region because of the incidents in Selendi.
Some media organizations tried to legitimize the incidents in Selendi as "public's reaction to crime." But the reports published by the human rights organizations after the incidents showed that the incidents were caused by different reasons and the families who had to leave Selendi faced discriminations starting from the months ago.
The writer and editor of our web site Ali Mezarcıoğlu evaluated the incidents in the following way:
"Everything is so recent. It is really hard to reach objective information outside the common media. However making a neighbourhood, tribe or family a target and obligating them to leave their region is not right. Anybody can make claims against the other side. But if everybody starts penalizing the other side that would cause new feuds. Crime is something individual and it can't be used as an excuse for penalizing belonging family or the ethnical group, it is not acceptable.
In every part of Turkey our poor neighbourhoods are being used by criminal organizations, this is a reality. Poor people coming from different ethnical origins are being used as tools by those criminal organizations. We should never forget that making any parts of the society a target will not solve the problem. In this case some media organizations tried to tarnish the Gypsies' name by using locals who are called "Cono". Trying to tarnish Gypsies' name by using local incidents is becoming a very dangerous habit. And we see this mistake is being repeated. We ask , media being in the first place, all the organizations to take a more responsible role and not to use the this dangerous language which could cause bigger tensions."
Literacy Course In Kocaeli 24/05/2011
Literacy course for Roma adults organized under the leadership of Kocaeli Roma Culture Research and Cooperation Association put into service. Deputy manager of Kocaeli Ford Otosan elementary school, Yalçın İlgün, and one of teachers of the school, Aysel Timincioğlu, participated to the inaugural of the course beside numerously residents. It's said that the literacy course, for which the association and the school interoperate, is established on the purpose of maximizing number of literate Roma individuals.
Administrator of Kocaeli Roma Culture Research and Cooperation Association evaluated the course with those words: "Our target is to make an adding for our illiterate brothers and sisters to be literate soonly. Our course will perporm a service for Roma women primarily. Then men and various age groups will participate the course. We, as administrators of the association, give particular importance adult education."
Source: Çingeneyiz Kocaeli
Anxious Wait In Ataşehir 26/05/2011
Families with Roma and Abdal origin, who live under difficult circumstances in their tents behind the building of district governorate of Ataşehir , are in tense anticipation these days. The residents who are informed that their tents will be evicted soonly worry about their future.
Küçükbakkalköy region of İstanbul have been one of the most crowded Gypsy settlements of Turkey since the last days of Ottoman Empire. Küçükbakkalköy, which was a winter quarters for nomadic Gypsy tribes before, became a big neighbourhood when Abdals from Central Anatolia and Roma from various district of İstanbul settled to the area. People living there subsisted on scrap and paper collecting, flower selling and musicianship for long years.
Investors wanted to buy houses and lands in Küçükbakkalköy when current market value of lands in the area increased in 1990s. Investors got houses and lands from the residents on the cheap and shared the lands in Bakkalköy between them. The residents who didn't have enough information about the issue and who were so poor were not able to guess what would happen after they undersold their houses and their lands.
They faced the fact soonly as investors and the municipality declared them to evict their houses. Where would they go? Where would they live in? It was difficult for Gypsy families to live in non-Gypsy settlements for two reasons. Firstly, rental in Gace neighbourhoods were too high for Gyspy families. Secondly, there were too many house owners who didn't want to rent their houses to a Gypsy family.
A few of the families who sold their houses went to some other Gypsy settlements in Ümraniye, Alemdağ, Dudullu. Most of them continued to live in their houses in Bakkalköy as they have noplace to go. On the other hand, their houses were demolished for many times at the request of investors by the municipality. However, people who didn't have any place to go turned to the neighbourhood again and started to live in tents without anykind of infrastructure services. They weren't able to get certificate of residence. They weren't able to benefit from any kind of public services as they didn't have any certificate of residence.
Now, they are informed that their tents will be demolished again. Unfortunately, they stilll have no place to live in. At best, they will move to other Gypsy settlements in Ümraniye, Alemdağ... However, it's also planned that the other Gypsy settlements will also be evicted by municipalities. This means they will have to move again before they acclimate to their new neighbourhoods.
People, who sold their houses without knowing what the consequences would be, face a home truth now. If authorities don't do anything to stop this tragedy, the residents of Küçükbakkalköy will obligated to live a nomadic life again after several decades they give up nomadism.
İzmir Çetesi Lost Its Way 30/05/2011
In the last episode of a tv series called Izmir Çetesi telecasted on STAR TV showed Roma neighbourhood like a center which aid and beat the criminals. The show that Kadir Inanir, Mustafa Üstündağ and Kadir Ece take part got reactions from the citizens for denigrating gypsy women under cover of humor.
In the last episode of the show which was featured on May,28, 2011 one of the member of the gang was being kidnapped by his gang while his transfer with police van to another prison. After this, gangster comes to one of the well known Roma neighbourhood in Izmir to hide. A family accepts to hide this gangster for money. And a woman from this family speaking with Roma accent sleeps with the gang member. By this Gypsy identities are showed as the ones who aid and beat criminals and Gypsy women were excoriated with prostitution.
In another show called "Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman ki" Gypsies were showed like highjackers and the main male character as hero for busting the Gypsy camp area and beating everybody even the kids. Strengthening the prejudices is accepted as something dangerous by the specialists. Some people who didn't meet any Gypsy person in their lives hear about Gypsy culture from these shows for the first time. It is impossible for these people who learn about gypsies from these shows not to have any prejudices about Gypsies. Gypsies who suffer from these kind of discriminations react very much to such prejudices. Citizens expect Star TV administration to stop hidden racism and not let this happen ever again
Abdullah Cıstır: Roma Families Are In A Difficult Situation 06/06/2011
The president of Edremit Roma Culture Memorial Association, Tufan Zımba and members of management of the association visited Edremit mayor Tufan Kılıç in his office. They informed Tufan Kılıç about problems of local Roma community. Administrators of the association acknowledged the mayor for his support to Ederlez Festival organized by the association.
The president of Edremit Roma Culture Memorial Association Tufan Zımba told that mayor Tufan Kılıç supports them on various issues. Zımba underlined that Ederlezi Festival organized by the association was financed mostly by Edremit Municipality. He emphasized that they as management of the association want to work in solidarity with different foundations, municipality being in the first place.
Source: Körfez Newspaper
Abdullah Cıstır: Roma Families Are In A Difficult Situation 06/06/2011
President of İzmir Roma Social Cooperation and Solidarity Association Abdullah Cıstır made a press statement about problems of the Roma families who go to Çeşme district of İzmir from Konak district of İzmir to work as seasonal workers. Abdullah Cıstır asks authorities to find a solution for the families whose tents were demolished by Ceşme municipality.
Here is the full text of the statement:
To the public attention!
30-40 families migrate from Konak district of İzmir to Çeşme district of İzmir to work as seasonal workers each year. These families called me at June 1th to tell about declaration of municipality police officer. We, as the association, wrote petitions to the mayor and district governor. We ask them to offer us any place for the families to settle if they think that Roma families are irritating for tourist in visual context. We ask them to prepare portable toilets-baths for the families. Although we hoped them to help the families, municipality police officers demolished their tents.
We demand these families to be allowed to settle in Çeşme temporarily for their job. We demand better life conditions for them. We don't want to share deportation process of the families with media. But if our people will go hungry, we will... We want to be respected not to be deported.
We want publicity to be more sensible about the situation.
Abdullah Cıstır
Third Circumcision Festival In İzmir 20/06/2011
Children of poor families will benefit from Third Circumcision Festival organized by Roma Culture Social Cooperation and Solidarity Association and İzmir Roma Musicians Association. Organisers of the activity hope support from famous Roma musicians and artists for the festival which will be done in Fuar Open Air Theatre in 2011, July 31th.
125 children in First Circumcision Festival and 85 children in Second Circumcision Festival were circumcized in previous years. It's planned to reach poor families as much as possible in the activity will be done this year. Administrators of the associations underlined that they are open to work in solidarity with various foundations and individuals to traditionalize the activity.
Families who want their children to benefit from the activity and people who want to support the Circumcision Festival could reach organisers via the phone number and address below.
Telephone: +90 232 445 27 65
Address: Gazi Bulvarı Susuzlu İş Merkezi No 112 K 7 D 703 Çankaya İzmir
İzmir Çetesi Is Banned 23/06/2011
Tv serial named "İzmir Çetesi" which got reaction from publicity because of the scenes insulting Gypsies published in 14th volume of the serial is banned by channel (STAR TV) administration. It's said that the serial is banned because ratings of the serial were lower than expected in the official statement maden by channel administration to explain the situation.
Famous actors like Kadir İnanır and Mustafa Üstündağ were taking part in the serial which is banned after the final volume published in 2011 June 10th. Gypsy women were being blamed to be prostitute and Gypsy characters were showed as people who aid and abet criminals in 14th volume of the serials published in 2011 May 28th. Gypsies and all sensible citizens called the channel STAR TV to protest and to demand scenario of the serial to be changed in such a way that not to insult Gypsies
Peace Maden In Urla 27/06/2011
Peace is established between citizens fighting eachother living in the same neighbourhood of Urla district of İzmir with contributions from Abdullah Cıstır, president of İzmir Roma Social Cooperation and Solidarity Association. Some citizens, who signed an agreement to authorities that they want to leave Urla voluntarily, canceled the agreement.
Riot police was sent to the neihgbourhood and 50 people were detained after the incident in which 15 people were injured. Local authorities said some residents, who want to leave the neighbourhood, that they will be paid transport and remove expense, they will have housing benefit for two months and tent cities will be builded for each sides of the fight in different places. Then some residents signed an agreement that they will leave the neighbourhood with their own wish.
Abdullah Cıstır president of İzmir Roma Social Cooperation and Solidarity Association, who went to the neighbourhood to see on site the incident and make peace between different sides of the fight, had a talk with local Roma association and residents. Cıstır and administrators of local associations met the deputy mayor Hüseyin Özdemir to ask their support to convince residents to stay in the neighbourhood. They also met Urla Governor Şeyhmus Günaydın in a meeting that security director, mayor and the mukhtar were also there.
Abdullah Cıstır evaluates the incident with those words: "We know there are some Roma who are pushed into crime. But we don't understand enterprises to replace Roma after each perturbator incident. We don't want residents to leave their neighbourhood. We coul make peace between sides. We ask authorities to solve the problem without eviction. We want to solve the problem without assimilation. We ask authorities to cancel the agreement that the residents will leave the neighbourhood voluntarily. The governor agree with us. He informed us about a housing project they prepare. They cancelled the agreement. We are so happy that we could solve the problem."
Cıstır and administrators of local associations gave detailed information to residents about conversation they made with authorities. It's said that peace is completely maden in Urla now.
Source: İz-Rom-Der Press Statement Photos: Nurgül Saltık
There Was An Eviction In Küçükbakkalköy Towards Morning 28/06/2011
Tents and shacks in where families with Roma and Abdal origin lived were demolished by city police in Küçükbakkalköy which is one of the oldest Gypsy settlements of İstanbul at 06.00 today. One of the residents whose houses were demolished and who needs respirator to live asked authorities to help her. She has no possibility to work and needs to benefit from state assistance.
An anxious wait had been started for Küçükbakkalköy residents who were informed that their houses and tents would be demolished resident almost 1 month ago. Citizens, who have noplace to stay and who have no possibility to rent houses except Gypsy settlements, looked for suitable slums in surrounding Gypsy settlements and empty areas to pitch their tents. Anxious wait turned to sadness when demolition team came to the neighbourhood at 06.00 o'clock. Most of the tents and shacks in the neighbourhood were demolished and people went to their temporary harbours in various Gypsy settlements. Residents ask authorities to help a woman who needs respirator to live. Her house was also demolished.
Abdal Enthusiasm In Kaman 04/07/2011
The second of Abdal Festival, which has planned to be traditionalized, was organized in Kaman district of Kırşehir city of Turkey. The festival was prepared with contributions of Kaman Governorship, Kaman Municipality and Kamal Abdals Association which is established this year. Inaugural of Kaman Abdallar Association was maden in the context of the festival.
Building of the association was opened with a ceremony organized with participation of deputy governor Ramazan Kentüzler, parlimentarian Abdullah Çalışkan and mayor Erkan Talu after president of the association Mümtaz Boyacıoğlu and and one of the members of the association Adem Göçer harangued. The band consisting of Abdal musicians made a performance in Cumhuriyet square.
Abdal children give a drum-clarion concert after participants of festival harangued about the importance of the day. Concerts given by young abdal musicians and famous Abdal singer Tufan Altaş won great recognition from audiences.
Source: Web Page of Kaman Municipality
World Roma Festival In Samsun 06/07/2011
The Samsun Local History Group is planning to organise a festival in Samsun where Roma representatives from various countries would participate. The project consultant Şeref Aydın, who evaluates the issue, says the festival which is planned to start in 10 months and last for 5 days will lead to great enthusiasm and celebrations in Samsun.
5000 tents are planned to be pitched in the Doğupark Square of Samsun for the festival for which participants from countries like Spain, Romania, India, Hungary, Albania, Macedonia and Slovakia will come to Samsun for. Şeref Aydın also underlines that famous Gypsy music groups like Gypsy Devils, Hungarian Cigan Orkestar and Slovakia Roma Orkestar will give concerts during the festival. It's hoped that many tourist will come to Samsun to participate in the festival.
Source: Anatolian Agency
Literacy Course In Malkara 11/07/2011
Ceremony organized to give certificates and rewards to trainees within the context of literacy course named "Literacy Course For Mother and Daughter" planned by Malkara Public Education Center was done in Fevzi Çakmak Elementary School. Tabor-Drum Band of Malkara Hacı Evhat Neighbourhood Development Association gave a concert to the participants.
President of Hacı Evhat Neighbourhood Development Association Göksel Fil gave a plaquet to Mukhtar Rafet Çıngar for his addings to establishing of the literacy course in the ceremony organized with participation of local authorities including district governor Yunus Fatih Kadiroğlu and trainees with their relatives. Deputy mayor Hasan Eğilmez gave certificate of attendance to Emine Menekşe, Zeynep Bakla, Nahide Keser, Sümer Keskinbaş, Hülya Çelik, Selahattin Demir, Erkut Meriç, Serdar Cezveci and Yıldıray Pala who worked for establishing of the literacy course and find residents who are illiterate and wish to participate literacy course.
District governor Yunus Fatih Kadiroğlu evaluated the literacy course with these words: "You came us many times to ask for a job. But you were illiterate. You negotiate iit. This was the first step. We will open vocational courses. Soonly, many factories will be established here. They will demand qualified workmen. You have to participate vocational courses to be employed in the new factories..."
Source: Malkara Saygın Newspaper
What Is Happening In Tepecik Hospital 21/07/2011
President of İzmir Roma Fayton Culture Promotion, Surviving and Solidarity Association Gökmen Dunar made a press statement about his experience in Tepecik Education and Research Hospital. He went to the hospital to see the claim he heard that Roma patients are being discriminated because of their ethnic identity in the hospital is correct or not with his own eyes.
Gökmen Dunar said that he went to the hospital as an usual Roma patient to examine the claims in his press statement. Mr Dunar claims that Roma patients who are recognized as Roma because of their skin colour are followed by the hospital security with the thought that they could stole something and when there are too many Roma patient, it's started to be announced from the hospital microphone: "Please take care your bags. We are not responsible if they are stolen..." Mr. Dunar said that he was also discriminated by doctors and nurses as they recognized him as Roma and when he went to head doctor of the hospital to explain the situation, the head doctor didn't want to speak with him. The association approached various public foundations to start an investigation about the hospital.
The incidents in Tepecik Education and Research Hospital got huge reaction from Gypsies and all sensible citizens. People are waiting the hospital administration to make a persuasive explanation about the incident.
For more detailed information
Gökmen Dunar
Rug Weaving Course For Gypsies In Ödemiş 27/07/2011
Rug weaving course is opened for Roma Gypsies to have a profession in Ödemiş district of İzmir. The course is opened with common forces of Ödemiş Governor Abdurrahman Koçoğlu, Torbalı department of Turkish Employment Organization and Ödemiş Roma Association. The course will be open between 25/07/2011 and 23/01/2012.
Target group of the rug weaving course is Roma women who gratuated from elementary school and older than 16 age. The course's, which is being done in the course center in the building of 4th Health Care Center, expenditures are being paid by Ödemiş Governership Social Solidarity and Cooperation Foundation. Ödemiş Governer Abdurrahman Koçoğlu said that their main goal is to let Roma to have a profession to make some addings to their family economy.
Source: Yerel Güç
Siviliz Made An Interview With Dom Association 28/07/2011
The bulletin named "Siviliz" published by Sivil Society Development Center (STGM) made an interview with Mustafa Karabulut, the president of board of management of Hatay Dom Tribe's Culture Research, Development Social Solidarity and Cooperation Association. Karabulut explained unknown realities about Dom Gypsies' life in the interview.
President of the Dom Association Mustafa Karabulut explains cultural features of Dom society and problems they face in the interview published in Siviliz (April 2011). Karabulut says Dom people mostly live in eastern and south-eastern Anatolia in Turkey. Traditional occupations of Dom people were blacksmithing, jewellery and dentistry according to him. However, they started to subsist on casual works and scrap collecting after industrialization made invalid their traditional jobs. Karabulut underlines that their mother tongue Domari is still alive and being used by Dom people for internal communications.
Mustafa Karabulut explains problems they face from past to present with these words: "Dom society were producing cultivators in fields of villagers. Dom society were mading dental plates and jewels of their clients in their clients' houses. We brought services to our clients. We started to settle and entegrate settled society even in some cases forgot our languages since 1970's. These days, i only remember poverty if you ask about meaning of being Dom. Dom society, who were accepted as a craftsmen society before, are being targeted by prejudices and face discrimination." Karabulut says that they will continue to struggle against prejudices targeting Dom people.
Vocational Courses Will Be Opened In Tekirdağ 03/08/2011
Tekirdağ city director of Turkish Employment Organization Şerafettin Küçük said that vocational courses for Roma Gypsies will be opened in various districts of Tekirdağ. Şerafettin Küçük underlined that they will plan the process of opening vocational courses according to demands of Roma Gypsies living in various districts of Tekirdağ.
Şerafettin Küçük remind that employers don't want to allocate any resources to train personnel and this is the reason why they want to employ skilled labor. Vocational courses are so important to train skilled labor for industry according to Şerafettin Küçük. Küçük explains their previous experiences about vocational courses for Roma Gypsies that they opened a vocational course on using sewing machine with 18 person capacity. Küçük says they will open new courses for Roma Gypsies in Çorlu and Çerkezköy districts of Tekirdağ according to self-demands of Roma Gypsies living in the districts.
Vocational courses are an urgent need according to Şerafettin Küçük because employers need at least 1000 qualified workmen in Tekirdağ. The news of vocational courses will be opened in Tekirdağ created a great enthusiasm among Roma Gypsies. The common wish of citizens is courses to be opened as soon as possible with the maximum capacity. Roma Gypsies have also an other demand about qualify of worklife. Prejudices targeting Gypsies could create problems among employee and between employee and employers and this cause Roma Gypsies to be excluded from work life.
Source: Çerkezköy News.
Conos Demand Houses To Live In 09/08/2011
The Cono families that were obligated to leave their houses after a fight that took place in the Çilek Neighbourhood of Mersin between Conos and other residents, have lived in tents around Central Anatolia since the incident. Cono families and their children made a protest march in order to get into the Prime Minister's office to demand suitable houses to stay.
41 persons were injured as a result of the fight between residents of the Çilek Neighbourhood of Mersin and the Cono families that were obligated to leave their houses (they signed documents declaring that they left their houses voluntarily). Yesterday 50 people living in tents in Central Anatolia gathered in Anatolia for protesting against the incident and to explain their demands. They wanted to walk into the Prime Minister's office. The families were stopped in front of the office entrance by riot police and made a short sitting protest there. After this the Cono families were brought to Güvenpark where they made a press statement in order to explain their demands. A Cono woman representing the Cono tribe said that they want the authorities to give them suitable houses to live in.
Source: CHA
Food Aid Maden For Yahya Kemal Neighbourhood By Kağıthane Municipality
Kağıthane municipality made food aid to residents of Yahya Kemal neighbourhood. Beside residents of Yahya Kemal neighbourhood of Kağıthane district who mostly subsist on scrap and paper collecting, ex-residents of the neighbourhood who left their houses after eviction were also benefited from the food aid of Kağıthane municipality.
Residents of Yahya Kemal Neighbourhood which is one of the oldest Gypsy settlements of İstanbul appreciate the decision of Kağıthane municipality to let ex-residents of the neighbourhood to benefit from the food aid.
It's nice to see that Yahya Kemal neighbourhood, which was found almost 60 years ago with settling of people from various Gypsy settlements like Dolapdere neighbourhood of Beyoğlu district or Sıracevizler neighbourhood of Şişli district, is still alive with its own cultural features and there is still a strong soul of neighborliness.
Source: Çingeneyiz İstanbul
Paşaköy Is A Waterless Neighbourhood In A Metropol 19/08/2011
Citizens with Roma and Abdal origin living in Paşaköy neighbourhood of Sancaktepe district have a great problem that there are no trunk sewer and water system in the neighbourhood. Although they have door numbers, street names and benefit from cleaning services of municipality, the neighbourhood is completely waterless and there is no canalization.
Almost 55 family, who have settled to Paşaköy neigbourhood of Sancaktepe district after their houses were demolished in Küçükbakkalköy which is one of the oldest Gypsy settlement of İstanbul, live waterless and without any canalization even in Summer. There are door numbers, street names and land titles in the neighbourhood in where residents subsist on scrap and paper collecting, flower selling and musicianship. There are electric wiring and phone line in most of houses of the neighbourhood. However the neighbourhood is waterless and there is no canalization although the residents demanded it with a letter of application they gave to Directorate of Waters of İstanbul (İSKİ) in 2008. Children of residents go to school without washing. Being waterless and lack of canalization make unliveable the neighbourhood for residents especially in hot summers.
An other problem of Paşaköy residents is lack of foodbridge on expressway between Paşaköy and Nişantepe. Children of the resident who want to go their school and women who want to go shop have to use the express way to cross over. They are making steeplechase with cars to arrive their schools or shopping center.
Residents hope authorities to solve their problems soon.
Source: Çingeneyiz İstanbul
Asphalt Paving In Sarıgöl 29/08/2011
A group of Gaziosmanpaşa Municipality officials made asphalt paving in the Sarıgöl neighbourhood of the Gaziosmanpaşa district which is one of the most famous Gypsy settlements of İstanbul. The residents, who tell that there had not been any asphalt paving for almost 28-30 years, are very happy to see that asphalt paving is made in the Kanarya and Dereyolu streets of Sarıgöl.
Roadwork teams related with Gaziosmanpaşa Municipality paved asphalt in Dereyolu street of Sarıgöl on the 19th of August 2011. They continued the roadwork in Kanarya Street on the 24th of August 2011. The residents told that there hadn't been any roadwork for a long time in their neighbourhood and that they were relieved after of the roadwork made in August. The residents emphasize that they hope authorities to do more projects like this in order to improve the living conditions of the residents. If the municipality supported the residents to repair their houses, it is commonly believed by the inhabitants that Sarıgöl could be a model settlement both in Turkey and in Europe.
The Sarıgöl neighbourhood in the District of Gaziosmanpaşa was founded after citizens whose houses were demolished in Beyazıt and Sulukule in the 1950s settled down there. Poverty caused by unemployment is the biggest problem of the residents living in Sarıgöl, out of whom almost 6000 are of Gypsy origin. According to the residents they survive thanks to the solidarity between residents. Because of this survival outside the neighborhood would not be possible, they conclude.
Source: Çingeneyiz İstanbul
Saruhanli Roma Association Is Terminated 09/09/2011
Modern Roma Association founded in Saruhanlı district of Manisa in last year is terminated with the decision of board of the association. Official writing about the termination of the association is sent to governorship of Manisa by district governor of Saruhanlı. Termination of the association caused a great sadness among Roma people of the district.
Hasan Eskici was the founder president of Modern Roma Association which was founded in Saruhanlı district of Manisa in March of last year. İbrahim Gönen was elected as president of the association which was founded on the purpose of uniting Roma living in the district. Termination of the association which had created huge hopes for local Roma people surprised residents.
A new Roma association is being found day by day all around the country. However many of them are not able to reach their main goal that they declared because of lack of resourses and some other reasons.
Source: www.saruhanli.gen.tr
Solid Waste Collectors of Antalya Demand Recycling Center 15/09/2011
Representatives of foundations representing citizens mostly with Gypsy origin who subsist on paper and scrap collecting visited mayor of Kepez district of Antalya city (in Mediterranean Region of Turkey) Hakan Tütüncü in his office. Representatives of the foundations ask support of Hakan Tütüncü to build a recycling center to store and to sell solid waste.
President of Muratpaşa Roma Association Hakan Gezer, President of Antalya Modern Roma Social Solidarity, Cooperation and Cultere Association Ferhat Uçakdağ, President of Aydın Roma Federation Doğan Arkın visited mayor of Kepez district Hakan Tütüncü and explain him that citizens subsisting on scrap and paper collecting need a recycling center for storing and selling procedures of papers and scraps. Mayor Tütüncü said that they have no empty land for the building of recycling center and he will ask public foundations to find a suitable area for the recycling center in Antalya.
Paper and scrap collecting is one of the most common subsisting ways among citizens from various Gypsy groups. Roma in Thracia, Marmara and Aegean regions; Abdals in Central and Eastern Anatolia; Doms in Southeastern side of Turkey mostly subsist on paper and scrap collection under hard circumstances.
Source: CHA
Ekopolitik Made An Interview With Ali Mezarcıoğlu 19/09/2011
Economic and Social Researches Association's web page www.ekopolitik.org made an interview with our author and editor of www.cingeneyiz.org Ali Mezarcıoğlu. Ali Mezarcıoğlu explained main problems of various Gypsy groups living in Turkey including Roma in the interview named "The Roma Community In Turkey".
Ali Mezarcıoğlu reminded that there are different Gypsy groups in Turkey who have different languages and cultures in the interview prepared by Nina Carlsson. It's also underlined that these groups face similar kind of problems and explained in which regions of Turket each group lives in the interview. Ali Mezarcıoğlu said that Gypsy community of Turkey face less rasist attacks comparing to Balkan Gypsies. On the other hand, they have serious problems like unemployment, housing problems and unaccessibility to education.
Fire In Sarıgöl 05/10/2011
Roof of a house was completely burned in a fire broken out in Cami street of Sarıgöl neighbourhood of Gaziosmanpaşa district. A woman named N. O. who has asthma living alone in the house lighted electric stove when it got cold. The fire broken out because of electric contact existed at the moment caused furnitures of the woman to be damaged seriously.
N. O whose house's roof burned completely in the fire broken out because of electric contact tries to survive with 150 tl (80$) she gets from public foundations once every three months. She has real economic probles. On the top of it, being damaged of her furnitures and her house in the fire left her in a difficult situation. She has no possibility to repair her house by herself. Living in a house without a proof will be life-threatening in winter because she has asthma. Common expectation of residents of Sarıgöl who witness the incident is that authorities and benefactors will help the woman.
To contact with N. O: cingeneyiz@yahoo.com
Source: Cingeneyiz İstanbul
2. Abdals Festival Maden In Mamak 11/10/2011
2. Abdals Festival was maden in Mamak district of Ankara with the contributions of Mamak Municipality and Hüseyin Gazi Culture Association and Foundation in September 21, 2011. Abdal musicians prepared excellent drum shows for the festival in the area in where mausoleum of Hüseyin Gazi is. A panel was also organized about Abdal culture.
Various specialities of Abdal culture were explained in the panel named "Who are Abdals, Where they came from, How do they live" which organized with participation of professor Ahmet Taşkın and author Hamza Aksüt. Representatives of Culture and Tourism Ministry, president of Abdal association Ali Emektar, representative of different political parties and citizens more 2000 participated the festival. There was a great enthusiasm in the festival in where Hakan Taşıyan and many Abdal musicians gave concerts.
Abdals who live in various regions of Anatolia and Middle Asia are one of most crowded communities who are identifed as Gypsy. Abdals who subsist on basket weawing, blacksmithing, musicianship, folk medicine traditionally have their own language named Abdoldili or Teberdili. This language have similar grammatical characteristic of ural altaic languages and a lexicon including words from various languages. There are only few people speaking Teberdili today. Abdals live in their own neighbourhood in central Anatolia. They live together with other Gypsy groups like Roma and loms in western regions of Turkey.
Source: Mamak Municipality
Yalova Gypsies Marched Against Ban Of Paper Collecting 17/10/2011
The decision of Yalova municipality to ban storing of collected papers in the city center due to the claim that it creates environmental pollution resulted in huge reactions from Roma Gypsies living in Yalova that make their living on paper collecting. They marched to the municipality building and explained their demands to deputy mayor Hikmet Yavuz.
The citizens spoke to the municipality officers that hinder them to store collected papers, and underlined that paper collecting is the only way for them to make their living, and that they have to store the collected papers because they have no possibility of transporting them. The municipality officials told that some citizens complained about the places where collected papers are stored and further said that they made the decision through considering the complaints. The protestors returned to their neighbourhoods in silence after the municipality officials said they would find a solution for their situation soon.
Paper and scrap collecting is one of the most common jobs practiced by various Gypsy groups of Turkey. The citizens that were obligated to make their living on paper and scrap collecting after their traditional jobs disappeared struggle to survive under hard circumstances.
Source: Yalova Agency
A Roma Neighbourhood Will Be Built In Agva 25/10/2011
It's claimed that 88 new house will be built in Yeni Mahala of Agva for Roma Gypsies by Mass Housing Administration (TOKİ). The Roma Neighbourhood Project which have been designed will be done with partnership of TOKİ and İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality. It's said that the houses will be built in Yeni Mahala is planned to be 2-3 storey.
The present Gypsy settlement of Agva is open to flood hazard. Whenever it rains strongly, houses are being destroyed by flood. In the context of the project which is claimed to be designed to solve the problem, some shops and recreational facilities will be built besides 88 houses in Agva. There will be 3000 square metre green belt in the neighbourhood which will be built on a land 13800 square metre.
Roma Gypsies want payment conditions for the new houses to be declared clearly altough they are happy with the idea to live in better housing conditions. Resident underline that most of them have low income and it's strongly possible that they would have difficulties to pay taxes of houses. They ask authorities to explain conditions them clearly.
Source: Emlaktasondakika.com
Selim Sesler Waits For A Heart 28/10/2011
Selim Sesler who was in intensive care unit in İstanbul German Hospital for 15 days is transported to Siyami Ersek Hospital. His doctors say that he needs heart transplant to be healthy again. His relatives and lovers look for a suitable heart for him now. Selim Sesler is one of the most famous Gypsy musicians of Turkey who plays clarinet.
Selim Sesler's relatives prepare a new transportation to the Florance Nightingale Hospital on account of the fact that it won't be possible to transplant an articial heart to him in Siyami Ersek Hospital. Musician friends of Selim Sesler like Orhan Gencebay, Serkan Çağrı, Fatih Akın, Yılmaz Morgül try to find a suitable heart for him at all levels.
Selim Sesler's illness make upset all of his lovers. Now, all of his friends and lovers pray for him to be healthy again as soon as possible.
No More Idiom Humiliating Gypsies 31/10/2011
Idioms humiliating Gypsies are still being used in everyday life. Once again, S. T. who is one of the authors of Kent newspaper published in Bursa used the idiom "A Gypsy kills his father at first when he becomes a general." His using of the idiom while he has a possibility to explain his ideas with neutral words got reaction from Gypsies of Bursa.
The article of S. T who use the idiom "let it not be misunderstood" as an apologize is not about Gypsies. The author draws an analogy using the humiliating idiom to critisize local authorities about educational issues. However scholars evaluating the issue explains that drawing an analogy using an idiom which humiliates a group of people is not a true way of communication and it could cause trouble among society. Anyway there is a great anger among Gypsies of Bursa on account of the fact that they have been humiliated openly by an author.
President of Roma Culture Promoting and Surviving Association Efkan Özçimen called the author to reflect reaction of Gypsies against the article and ask the author to apologize from Gypsies. Hereupon the author wrote these sentences in his next article: "I used an old idiom here to critisize policy of National Education Ministry about school principals. I said that -let it not to be misunderstood-. However i learned that i distressed some friends accidentaly. Efkan Özçimen, president of Roma Culture Promoting and Surviving Association, let me see my mistake calling me. I thank him. On the other hand, i find exaggerated such a sensibility. It is usual to use jokes about people from Black Sea region or Kayseri city in this country. Nobody takes offense because of these uses."
The author finding the reaction of Gypsies about use of an idiom humiliating themselves exaggerated reminds us an other idiom: "add insult to injurry". It's open that the idiom spreads a mentality defining Gypsies as useless and unable to be administrators. However there have been great artists, politicians, scientist with Gypsy origin throughout human history. And they influenced their ages directly.
We wish the "honorable" author put himself in our place and ask himself what would he feel when he hear an idiom humiliating people from same ethnic or social origin with him.
Here is the article
http://www.kentgazetesi.com/habergoster.aspx?id=22178
The "apologize" of the author
http://www.kentgazetesi.com/habergoster.aspx?id=22738
Source: Çingeneyiz Bursa
Microcredit Relieved Peddler Women 03/11/2011
The microcredit given by Foundation For The Support Of Women's Work to Gypsy women subsisting on peddling makes easier subsistence for many families. Peddler women were subsidized between 100-3500 tl(65-2500$) on credit in 4-12 months in the context of microcredit project from which 200 Gypsy women benefited in 2011.
Sakarya and Düzce representative of Foundation For The Support Of Women's Work said that Gypsy women generally get credit between 500-1000 tl. Gümüş, who says that Gypsy women pay their taxes regularly, underlines that people who pay their taxes on time could get credit again. There are grocers, rope and sod producers besides peddlers among women who benefited from microcredit.
Source: CHA
Karagöz and Gypsies 10/11/2011
Most of the masters who performed famous shadow play Karagöz-Hacıvat were Gypsies. They put some words from various Gypsy languages into the texts of most known plays as if they want to leave trace to show that they were Gypsies. Karagöz says Hacıvat that he is Gypsy and speaks with a Gypsy language in a play named "Hamam".
A Part of the Play "Hamam"
Hacıvat: So do you know Gypsy language?
Karagöz: As my mother tongue
Hacıvat: So uclan (speak)
Karagöz:Soskiros
Hacıvat: What should i say now?
Karagöz: Somborloskeros
Hacıvat: Oh Karagoz, what kind of a language is this?
Karagöz: Gypsy way of speaking
Hacıvat: I don't understand
Karagöz: (whisperingly) Gypsy
...
Hacıvat: Tell me truth about your origin
Karagöz: We made and sell sieves in Unkapanı
...
Hacıvat: (Again) Tell me truth about your origin
Karagöz: Çiinn..... gaaa...... neee..... (Gypsy) (He hits Hacıvat) You forced me to declare my Gypsy origin.
Source: http://www.karagoz.net
How Can Gypsies Recover 15/11/2011
Our author and editor Ali Mezarcıoğlu gives answer of the question "How could Gypsies Recover?" in the last part of his book named " The Book of Gypsies". Ali Mezarcıoğlu, who explains the things have to be done for solution of problems of Gypsies in 5 article, reminds that solution of Gypsies' problems is also an important issue of humanity. Suggestions of Mezarcıoğlu, who emphasizes importance of creating foundations to represent Gypsies all over the world, concern all peoples besides Gypsies.
From "the book of Gypsies"- How could Gypsies recover? page 146-147
a- Gypsies have to realize that they are members of an universal nation. Gypsies have to escape from the feeling of frustration of thousands of years learning history of themselves and non-Gypsies.
b- Foundations which are able to represent Gypsies all over the world have to be created and Gypsies have to make themselves heard by means of the foundations.
c- Damage in the soul of humanity created by the culture of warrior non-Gypsies have to be declared to humanity and peacefull characteristics of Gypsy cultures have to be announced as an ideal. For that purpose, communication channels have to be prepared either for Gypsies and non-Gypsies and Gypsy culture have to be explained as a common value of humanity using these channells.
d- The only solution for Problems of Gypsies and all humanity is to wake up the soul of our common ancestors, natural human beings. The realities that -humanity is a big family, it's meanless to classify humanity nobles and non-nobles, anykind of discrimination depending on differencies is a great crime against humanity- have to be explained to everybody.
e- Waking of the soul of natural human beings is the only way to stop threats targeting nature and society. Gypsies' being visible on the stage of history as a well organized universal nation will make possible to communicate with the culture of natural human beings over Gypsy identity for all human beings.
Source: Ali Mezarcıoğlu, Çingenelerin Kitabı; Cinius Yayınları
Urban Transformation In Çaybaşı 17/11/2011
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality declared 7 hectare in Çaybaşı Neighbourhood in where Roma Gypsies live as urban transformation area. Approval for the project presented to the cabinet officers is being waited now. However, residents who will be influenced by the project claim that it won't be possible for them to pay taxex for new houses.
Residents who subsist on paper and scrap collecting underline that their incomes have been decreased and they sometimes face starvation. Citizens, who emphasize that they wouldn't be able to pay any taxex if the municipality demands it for the new houses will be built in the area, won't incur a debt without having a regular job.
Scholars who evaluate the issue remind that local authorities have to consider culture, subsistence and traditions of citizens who will be influenced by urban transformation projects while they prepare projects. At this point, they underline that obligating people to pay taxex bigger than their monthly incomes will create huge social problems.
Source: Son Dakika News
Pedlars Are In Trouble In Ereğli 18/11/2011
A new practice started 7 days ago in Ereğli by the municipality leave citizens who are obliged to sell various production on the street in a difficult situation. Firstly pedlars are being warned not to work in the context of the practice. Pedlars who insist on working despite the warning of municipality are being photographed and punished by municipality.
Many citizens living in Ereğli subsist on selling various productions on the street. Abdal Gypsies who come to district bazaar with a bus sell scouring pad, raticide, needle and thread, rubber, chintz. Roma Gypsies are specialised on selling socks, cheap dress, glove, handcrafts and toys. Some other citizens who come from villages and center of Ereğli besides Gypsies subsist on peddling and sell scraps, smalls, fish. Many citizens who don't have a regular job and income say that they have no alternative to subsist except peddling.
A citizen who is influenced by the practice of the municipality started 7 days ago subsist on selling compass rose toys he produced. The citizen, who says that municipality officers hindered him to work although he sells compass rose in a stroller in an area smaller than 1 square metre, underlines that they have no other way to subsist and the municipality have to offer them a regular job if they are determined to hinder pedlars.
An other problem of citizens living in Ereğli is that shoeshine parlors, which were destroyed for stream improvement of Pençes River(The river was near the shoeshine parlors) 4 years ago, are still not rebuilded although stream improvement process is completed. Citizens who subsisted on shoe shining in closed saloons before are trying to work in the street under hard conditions now. It's too difficult making subsisting on shoe shining especially in winters.
Residents of Ereğli hope the municipality engage in dialogue with them and to find solutions for their problems.
Source: Çingeneyiz Zonguldak
An Association Founded In Aydoğdu Neighbourhood 23/11/2011
Aydoğdu Neighbourhood Craftsmen and Roma Cooperation and Solidarity Association founded in one of the famous Gypsy settlements of Tekirdağ named Aydoğdu. Deputy governor Bekir Sıtkı Kocakundakçı, Tekirdağ mayor Adem Dalgıç, president of city council Levent Gündoğdu and representatives of various political parties participated to the inaugural.
President of the association Salih Pirbudak explained that they especially focus on educational problems of local Roma people in his opening speech. Pirbudak emphasizing that they work in solidarity as a team said: "We will survive our culture together. We will continue to work for Tekirdağ as we did before. I hope you will lead us preparing projects." Performances prepared by Roma dance group created a great enthusiasm among audiences.
Source: Channel 59 News
11 Slum Demolished In Kireçocakları 28/11/2011
11 slum in where Roma families lived in Kireçocakları region of Tavşantepe neighbourhood were demolished by İzmit district municipality officials. There was a great tension between slum owners and municipality officials in the eviction which started when the residents carried their furnitures outside. Families whose slums demolished hope authorities to show them new houses.
The families who lived in the area for a long time explain that demolishing of their slums in winter make everything harder for them. They hope the authorities to suggest them alternate housing possibilities. Residents evaluating the issue claim that the biggest problem about the demolishing is that there was not enough dialogue between slum owners and planners of the eviction.
Urban transformation projects, which are planned without communicating with the people who will be influenced by the project , could make difficulties. Some urban transformation projects done in Istanbul before caused Roma families who lived settled for a long time to start travelling again. These families living under hard circumstances without any formal recognition show that what kind of damages could be created by the wrong urban transformation projects.
Source: Cihan News Agency
The Governor Visited to The Neighbourhood 30/11/2011
Governor of Çarşamba district of Samsun Caner Yıldız visited a neighbourhood in where 32 Gypsy family live. Residents informed Caner Yıldız about their problems including unemployment. Yıldız explained that they will found a vocational course for young Gypsies to find regular jobs easily in cooperation with the administration of Public Education Center.
Residents of the neihbourhood behind Göğceli Cemetery have no regular jobs. Most of them are sued because they couldn't pay their electric bills. Now, there is no electricty in most of the houses on account of the fact that they have no chance to pay their bills. Governor Caner Yıldız evaluating the issue made a conversation with YEDAŞ (local electricity foundation) to find a temporary solution for the situation. YEDAŞ official provide electricity to the neighbourhood after the conversation.
Unemployment which is the common problem of Gypsies in many countries is getting more and more dangerous. Gypsy families who have a difficulty to find new jobs when they lost their traditional occupations like basketmaking, blacksmithing, musicianship, tobacco working start to face a terrible poverty. Citizens who have no chance to find regular jobs because of prejudices targeting Gypsies are obligated to subsist on temporaryjobs with low income.
Source: Ekip Newspaper
Çingeneyiz.org Is On Twitter 05/12/2011
Twitter account of Çingeneyiz.org is started to be used. Çingeneyiz.org news started to be published over twitter which is one of the most popular social networking sites. Agenda of world and Turkish Gypsies will be visible on social media over Çingeneyiz Twitter account on which our news in Turkish and English are being shared with our followers.
Tinners Works At Surviving Their Occupation 06/12/2011
Tin master Yaşar Tokgöz living in Yalova struggle to make his ancestral occupation tin-smithing survive. Yaşar Tokgöz, who underlines that they had a great difficulty to deliver the orders when he went to work with his father in the past, said that they hardly can make their living today. The tin master Yaşar Tokgöz has nevertheless determined to continue subsisting on his traditional profession.
Yaşar Tokgöz tries to practise his profession, which he learned from his his father when he was 12 years old, going around street by street in the Taraklı district of Yalova. Tokgöz who with his wife goes to clients that know him, believes that tin-smithing will be a popular job again in the future.
Tin-smithing, which has been one of the most known tradional occupations of the Gypsy peoples for thousands of years, have almost disappeared today. Most of the tinner Gypsies living in Turkey have migrated from the Balkans. Tinner Gypsies who speak the Kalaycı (tinner) dialect of Romanes started to subsist on various low-income-jobs like paper-scrap collecting. The tinner Gypsies living in big cities are particularly often victims of extreme poverty, due to the disappearing of their traditional occupation and prejudices targeting Gypsies.
Source: AA
Photos: Deniz Ersoy
Secret Report Of Ottoman Empire About Gypsies 07/12/2011
Atlas Tarih magazine published a secret report prepared by Said Bey, who was an ottoman turkish and french teacher in Serez Lycea, about Gypsies for Sultan Abdülhamid. There are important knowledges about Gypsies in Ottoman Empire in the report in which goverment policy of Ottoman empire about Gypsies is being discussed by Said Bey.
It's said in the report that historical name of Gypsies is Kıpti and popular name of Gypsies is Çingene (tsigani-Çıgany). Said Bey thinked in the way because the word Kıpti was used to define Gypsies besides Çingene in Ottoman official documents. The word Kıpti was used by Byzantium Empire in the form of Agupti before Ottomans. The word Kıpti spreaded among western languages and finally started to be used in the form of Gypsy in English.
"Cin-Gan" superstition which have been so popular among non-Gypsy society is also explained in the report. Said Bey evaluated the slander claiming Gypsies are direct descendance of Cin and Gan who have encest relationship and cursed by the God with those words: "This legend is out of humanity and out of Islam. We have to change this subhuman mentality." It's a terrible shame that "Cin-Gan" superstition is still alive among non-Gypsies today altough Said Bey suggested goverment to extinguish it 120 years ago.
There are also some demographic knowledges in the report. There was 35000 Gypsies in Salonica at that time according to the report. It's said that total population of Ottoman Gypsies is close to 500.000 in the report.
Said bey introduces that it was a wrong policy to classify muslim Gypsies as "Kıpti Muslim" in their idenfication cards although jewish or christian people with non-Gypsy origin were classified as only "Muslim" in their identification cards when they become Muslim.
It's claimed in the news of Atlas Tarih magazine that the report was accepted by the government and started to be used partially. Nomadic Gypsies were forced to settle in jerusalem, Kalkandelen, Drama, Salonica, Plovdiv, Lüleburgaz, Ankara in the context of new Gypsy policy planned according to the report. On the other hand, slums in where Gypsies were living in Beyoğlu and Büyükdere districts of İstanbul were forbidden to be built. Although the report was considered when the new Gypsy policy of ottoman empire was prepared, Gypsies were classified as Kıpti citizens for a long time after the report.
There is an other strange knowledge in the news that one of the first woman surgeons of Ottoman Empire named Saliha Hanım was a Gypsy from Üsküdar. She used her house as a hospital to cure patients.
Source: Atlas Tarih, December 2011
Abdals' Music Group Promoted Kırşehir On TRT 13/12/2011
Abdal Community Music Group was at the centre of the tv program named "Yerinde Konuşuyoruz" (We speak at the place) published on TRT (Official Turkish Television) in December, 2th. While Abdals showed the best examples of Abdal music culture, the other participants introduced historical and cultural features of Kırşehir in the program.
The tv program named "Yerinde Konuşuyoruz" which was prepared by Şakir Gürel in Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Physical Medicine and Rehabilition Saloon mediated Kırşehir and people living in Kırşehir to be promoted. Folk dance group of Kırşehir provincial directorate for national education performed in the program besides Abdal Community Music Group.
Abdals are members of an ethnic group originated from Central Asia who accepted Gypsy Ways of Subsistence. Abdals who are one of the most crowded groups identified as Gypsy by surrounding populations live in almost each city especially in central and eastern Anatolia. The most known Abdal occupations are blacksmithing, basketmaking, musicianship, healing, circumcising which are believed to be typical examples of Gypsy occupations in Anatolia. Kırşehir which is the most important settlement of Abdal community in central Anatolia is also the home town of Neşet Ertaş, the famous Abdal minstrel.
Source: Haberler.com
Malkara Roma Mine and Agricultural Workers Solidarity and Cooperation Association 20/12/2011
Çingeneyiz.org made a conversation with the administrators of Malkara Roma Mine and Agricultural Workers Solidarity and Cooperation Association. The association that its name points at mine and agricultural working on which most of Roma Gypsies living in Malkara subsist purposes to find solutions for the problem of local Gypsy population.
The president of the association Zeki Atasoylu who explains aims of the association introduces that Malkara Gypsies subsist on agricultural and mine working under hard conditions. Atasoylu who emphasizes that traditional occupations like basketmaking, tinsmithing, blacksmithing almost dissappeared and most of the residents are obligated to work in coal mines.
Administrators of the association plan to work in cooperation with local authorities to find effective solutions for the problem of local Roma population. They believe that they will be successful soon.
Source: Çingeneyiz Tekirdağ
Anxious Wait In 200 Evler District Of Samsun 22/12/2011
A case was presented about the residents of 200 Evler Neighbourhood, whose slums were demolished and who moved to the building of TOKİ (Mass Housing Foundation), on account of the fact they couldn't pay the taxex of new TOKİ houses. Saim Yarar president of the 200 Evler Association made a press statement after the last trial on behalf of the residents.
The administrator of 200 Evler Association named Saim Yarar, who made a press statement on behalf of the residents after the last trial, said that local authorities want to evict them from the TOKİ houses that they were settled after their old house were demolished in the context of the urban transformation project planned in their neighbourhood. He emphasized they don't accept to be evicted and they will resist against the decisicion through legal means. Most of the residents approved the urban transformation project done in 200 Evler Neighbourhood which was one of the oldest Gypsy settlements of Samsun. However they explained that they had not informed adequately about the conditions of the project and the process of repayment, when they faced difficulty to pay the taxex for the new TOKİ houses.
The situation in 200 Evler Neighbourhood today proves that inaccurate urban transformation projects could create serious problems. Especially the projects which were planned without considering ability of residents to pay the taxes of new houses have risks for city life. If the court confirms the eviction, most of the residents of 200 Evler Neighbourhood will be homeless. A similar situation happened in İstanbul before that Gypsy families who had lived settled for 100 years started travelling after their house were demolished by the municipality.
Source: Çingeneyiz Samsun-Denge Gazetesi
The Bazaar Is Moved In Yalova 27/12/2011
The Roma Bazaar which was before set up in closed Bazaar area in each thursday and in which Roma Gypsies sell 2. hand goods is moved to the locality of SSK Old Prefabricated Hospital in front of the stadium. Bazaars of 2. hand goods in where many citizens, particularly Gypsies, subsist also give a chance of cheap shopping to citizens with low income.
Citizens living in Yalova gave close attention to the Bazaar that almost 250 stalls were opened this week. Most of the sellers of the bazaar said that they are happy that the local authorities suggest them a new place for the bazaar when they evicted it from the closed bazaar area because of a new project.
One of the most common subsistence ways of Gypsies is pedlar's trade in Yalova in where many Roma Gypsies live. It's a positive event that the local authorities let pedlars to open their stalls in the bazaar despite bazaars in where 2. hand goods are sold completely forbidden in many other cities.
Source: Yalova Life
Change of Duty In Didim Roma Association 28/12/2011
Mümin Çakır is chosen as the president in the ordinary meeting of general assembly of Didim Rumelian Roma Solidarity and Cooperation Association. Bayram Demirci, Mehmet Çınar, Mehmet Yücel and Behçet Kemal Pehlivan participated to the management in the election in which ex-president Metin Çakır didn't stand as a candidate.
Former management of Didim Rumelian Roma Solidarity and Cooperation Association organized various activities with the Roma dance group they founded and contributed to the promotion of Roma Gypsy culture. Activities organized between 2009-2010 by the former management of the association was admired by non-Gypsies besides local Gypsy population.
The former management of the association earned publicities' respect with the attitude they had against painful incident happened in Selendi in 2010. Members of the association marched to the Didim Central Mosque and made a press statement there with participation of the mayor Mümim Kamacı about the Selendi incident. Metin Çakır evaluated the incident with those words: "We, as Roma of Turkey, are trouble with the incident happened in Selendi. We have always been in peace with our government. We borned here, we will die here. Turkey is the country of us. We condemn strongly the attack of Selendi."
We, as Çingeneyiz.org family, wish success to the new management of the association.
Source: Aydın Güzelhisar
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