European governments are not giving Roma migrants the same treatment as others who are in similar need of protection. Roma migrants are returned by force to places where they are at risk of human rights violations. During 2010 more than 2.600 forcible returns took place. Of these, 1.500 related to Roma and Askhali. The majority of them came from Germany, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland.
To push Roma families between countries, as now happens, is inhumane. It victimizes children – many of whom were born and grew up in the host countries before they were deported.
The return policy is also ineffective. Of those forcibly returned to Kosovo no less than 70-75 per cent could not reintegrate there, moved to secondary replacement or went back to the deporting countries through illegal channels.
Nihad Nino Pušija
Born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1965. His work focuses on documentary and portrait photography and aims at capturing Roma identity in Berlin - where he has been based for the past twenty years - and elsewhere in Europe. Since 1992, he has worked on several photography projects and studies, exploring themes such as conflict resolution, integration, and the Roma in Europe. Recent exhibitions include: Zigeuner Art, DKV, Dachau, 2011; Duldung Deluxe, ECCHR, Berlin, 2010; Heiß oder kalt [Hot or cold], Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, 2009; Die vergessenen Europäer [The forgotten Europeans], Kölnisches Stadtmuseum, Cologne, 2008; Parno gras, Ethnographic Museums, Ljubljana, 2009 and Zagreb, 2008; Paradise Lost, The First Roma Art Pavilion, 52nd Venice Biennale, Venice, 2007; and Roma and Gadje, Kortárs Roma Galéria, Budapest, 2006. Nihad lives and works in Berlin.
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