The Roma Union demands that regulatory bodies react to Dragan Vučićević’s statement on TV Informer that trains towards Belgrade stopped in front of the “You and I, Slavija” rally because Roma stole copper
Roma Union of Serbia accused Dragan Vučićević, the editor of Informer television, of hate speech, stigmatization and collective targeting of that national community, because he said without any evidence in front of the cameras that the Roma were to blame for the suspension of railway traffic on May 23 in Serbia, on “You and I, Slavija” protest in Belgrade.
They state that according to Vučićević, the trains stopped because the Roma stole copper, and that this caused the suspension of rail traffic to Belgrade on the eve of the student protest.
Dangerous statement
The Union of Roma stated that this statement is not only offensive, but also dangerous, because it encourages prejudice, spreads ethnic hatred and can lead to additional discrimination and endangering the safety of members of the Roma community.
“In addition, the claim itself is completely illogical and contradictory. If, as claimed, students and citizens were prevented from coming to the protest due to the suspension of railway traffic, the question arises what sense would it make if the ‘Roma blockaders’, as he called them, prevent themselves from going to the protest?”, the statement stated.
It is also pointed out that such constructions clearly show that it is not about facts, but about an attempt at sensationalism and creating an atmosphere of lynching towards the Roma.
That the authorities react
The Roma Union has requested that the competent regulatory bodies and journalist associations react to the speech, which, in its assessment, incites discrimination.
It was also requested that the media end the practice of collectively labeling Roma as criminals and problems of society.
“The fact that such claims are made at a time of great social tension, when it is necessary to calm the situation and make a responsible public address, and not to look for a ‘culprit’ among the most vulnerable citizens of Serbia, is of particular concern. It is unacceptable that the Roma are once again used as on-call culprits for political and social events in the country,” the Roma Union pointed out.
Source: FoNet, Vreme
