In Mannheim, there is said to have been discrimination against Roma on the premises of Deutsche Bahn for refugees from the Ukraine.
Mannheim/Frankfurt – “Putin’s appallingly brutal war against Ukraine has triggered the largest refugee movement in Europe since the Second World War”: Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser* (SPD) recently found clear words in view of the Russian war of aggression. The number of people who have fled Ukraine is currently around 280,000. However, the Federal Ministry of the Interior suspects that the number is likely to be significantly higher.
One minority has been particularly hard hit by the Russian invasion: the Roma in Ukraine. They are considered a vulnerable group, which is why they could suffer even more from the effects of war than other people. This is particularly conceivable with regard to discrimination. A case in Mannheim shows that as refugees they are sometimes treated differently than their compatriots.
War in Ukraine – Many Roma flee their homes
Roma are also leaving their Ukrainian homeland and seeking refuge in another part of the country Ukraine* or abroad. It should be mentioned here that many Roma feel obliged to fight for their homeland – according to Roma organizations several hundred have volunteered so far – despite the fact that Roma have been attacked by right-wing radicals for years.
However, the law enforcement authorities “do not always react appropriately,” reports the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma. Accordingly, there is growing concern that as the war progresses, when it becomes even more difficult to provide for the people, there could be more violent attacks on Roma.
Consequences of the Ukraine war: Refugee Roma were denied access to DB premises
Against this background, the events must be evaluated, as described by the Association of German Sinti and Roma in Baden-Württemberg in a statement and as confirmed by the organization Sinti Powerclub eV and the station attendant Natice Orhan-Daibel who was present. Accordingly, on the night of March 24, Roma families who had fled Ukraine were discriminated against in Deutsche Bahn premises and were not allowed in, although these were made available specifically for Ukrainians. “Suspected DB security officers” reacted dismissively to the families and “reproduced antiziganist prejudices,” it said.
Natalie Reinhardt from the Sinti Powerclub is more specific when asked by our editors. Since the beginning of the war, her association has looked after Ukrainian Roma who have fled from the country upon their arrival in Baden-Württemberg. “Through our coordination officer, who is often in contact with the people from the start of the flight, we sometimes know days in advance how many people will arrive and where,” explains Reinhardt. In the night of March 24, she was called “by our cooperation partners, the station helpers”, who reported about the problems at Mannheim Central Station.
Ukrainian Roma refugees were not allowed in the room for refugees
Accordingly, Roma families were not allowed access to the common room with overnight accommodation for Ukrainian refugees. Allegedly, they were not believed to be Ukrainian citizens. At first, the family with small children made it into the refugee area, but the federal police who were summoned expelled the families from the premises, it is said. You shouldn’t be there.
At the request of the Sinti Powerclub, Deutsche Bahn said that they had “agreed” and that the families would be accompanied by the station helpers to continue their journey to Heidelberg. There they would be taken directly to a reception center.
Unequal treatment of Ukrainian Roma criticized by Deutsche Bahn
The families and the helpers at the train station were intimidated, which Natice Orhan-Daibel, who was on site, confirmed to our editors. She reports that the families, as refugees from the war, had the right to stay on the premises of the train station and, if necessary, to spend the night if their connecting train meant a longer stay at Mannheim Central Station.
Natice Orhan-Daibel describes how the people were treated: “I was told several times by different parties that the premises were not intended for ‘those’ people that they could not get in. There would also be no hotel vouchers, as I used to get for other refugees (white skin color) at the DB information. When I asked, I got the answer: ‘Who should pay for this? DB has no money for it.’” The federal police were called in and only checked the identity cards of this group, while there were three other Ukrainian families in the room who were not checked. The reason for this was the unequal treatment of men within the group. “I just wanted the family to be safe upstairs in the room for now. There were so many little kids there,” she says.
Discrimination against Ukrainian Roma refugees: Deutsche Bahn reacts
“When I asked why the two other Ukrainian men who were also there at the same time but who were white skinned were not checked, I was told that they had not seen any other men.” other men enter the room unhindered: “Security guards and other staff have demonstratively blocked themselves.”
Discrimination against Ukrainian Roma families: Deutsche Bahn comments
Referring to the incident at the Mannheim train station, the spokeswoman for Deutsche Bahn pointed out that discussions had already taken place with those involved. “At this point, we expressly regret that there were misunderstandings in the night from Wednesday to Thursday in the retreat room for refugees at Mannheim’s main train station,” it said. The employee also “apologized personally”. The railway would “together with the federal police ensure the safety of the refugees in the station every day” and “the good cooperation of everyone” is supported by the goal of “helping people in need”.
Station helper Orhan-Daibel says that the fear of another incident prevails: “This incident is not an isolated case.” She is aware that this problem has not been eliminated for a long time, but that such scenes took place nationwide. “What scares me a lot is what one helper said: ‘This family didn’t find the incident particularly bad… Unfortunately, they are used to worse.’ To which I can only answer: And that’s why it’s time to show these people that you stand up for them, protect them and show them that they are people and not garbage.” (Katja Thorwarth) *fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.