Statement

2016

IHRA Chair’s Statement Regarding Attack on Roma Community in Ukraine

The IHRA Chair strongly condemns the attack on the Roma Community in Loschchynivka, Ukraine, urging Ukrainian authorities to provide protection to its victims.

The Chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance strongly condemns the attack on the Roma Community in Loschchynivka, Ukraine.

Media and NGO sources reported that following allegations on 27 August that the tragic murder of a 9-year old girl could be linked to a Romani man, villagers attacked the local Roma community.

According to the media reports, following the damage suffered to their homes and property, the local Roma community was forced to flee and urgently needs to be rehoused. The Roma Community “voluntarily” agreed to permanently leave the village after discussions with the district council on 28 August.

In accordance with the Stockholm Declaration, which clearly states: “With humanity still scarred by genocide, ethnic cleansing, racism, antisemitism and xenophobia, the international community shares a solemn responsibility to fight those evils”, the IHRA requests that the Ukrainian authorities publicly and clearly denounce these actions and act swiftly to provide secure housing for those affected.