Structural racism against roma and traveller communities remains a persistent and often overlooked issue in Belgium, according to a new report released by the country’s
equality body, Unia, to coincide with International Roma Day on 8 April.
The findings paint a troubling picture: discrimination is not only widespread but also deeply normalised in everyday life. Housing stands out as one of the most critical areas of concern. Many Roma and Travellers face a chronic shortage of suitable living sites, frequent forced evictions, and complex administrative hurdles—particularly when it comes to securing a registered address.
Unia stresses that access to adequate housing remains out of reach for many. Without stable accommodation, other fundamental rights—such as education and healthcare—are also put at risk, reinforcing a cycle of exclusion.
Beyond housing, the report highlights the persistence of negative stereotypes, hate speech and even hate crimes targeting Roma communities. Despite this, official complaint numbers remain low. Only 46 cases were reported to Unia in 2025, a figure the organisation says significantly underrepresents the true scale of the problem.
Experts point to several reasons for this under-reporting, including a deep mistrust of public institutions, limited awareness of legal rights, and fear of retaliation. Many cases are instead reported indirectly through NGOs and social workers, suggesting that affected communities often feel safer relying on intermediaries.
The report also notes that Belgium continues to fall short of European standards regarding designated sites for Travellers, despite previous rulings urging improvements.
Unia is calling for a comprehensive national strategy to address these issues, backed by clear targets and dedicated funding. Crucially, it argues that Roma and Traveller communities must be actively involved in shaping policies that affect their lives.
The organisation also urges policymakers to explicitly recognise antiziganism—racism directed at Roma people—within broader anti-racism frameworks. Additionally, it recommends officially marking 2 August as a day of remembrance for the Roma victims of the Holocaust during the Second World War.
A wider European challenge
The situation in Belgium reflects a broader struggle across the European Union, where Roma communities—estimated at around 10 to 12 million people—remain among the most marginalised groups.
In recent years, the EU has stepped up efforts to combat anti-Roma discrimination through its EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion and Participation (2020–2030). The framework calls on member states to improve access to housing, education, employment and healthcare, while also tackling hate crime and systemic bias.
However, progress has been uneven. Human rights organisations continue to report cases of segregation in schools, discriminatory policing, and barriers to basic services in several countries. The European Commission has repeatedly urged governments to move from commitments to concrete action.
Activists across Europe are also pushing for greater recognition of historical injustices, including the Roma genocide, and for stronger enforcement of anti-discrimination laws.
As the Unia report underscores, tackling racism against Roma communities requires more than policy declarations—it demands sustained political will, community involvement, and a willingness to confront deeply rooted prejudice. Photo by donald judge, Wikimedia commons.