Rhineland-Palatinate promotes Sinti and Roma: Historic contract signed!

Rhineland-Palatinate promotes Sinti and Roma: Historic contract signed!

In Rhineland-Palatinate, an important contract was signed between the state and the Association of Sinti and Roma, which is intended to ensure the promotion and protection of the culture and history of this national minority. The contract was signed on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. by Prime Minister Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) and Christian Kling, chairman of the regional association of German Sinti and Roma, in the Mainz State Chancellery. The aim is to preserve the culture and language of the Sinti and Roma and to support the processing of their history, as n-tv.de reports.

This contract is a continuation of a framework agreement from 2005 and was most recently approved by the cabinet. The Rhineland-Palatinate Regional Association of Sinti and Roma, based in Landau and with a membership of between 8,000 and 10,000, is committed to the interests of its community and the fight against prevailing discrimination. Sinti and Roma are considered a recognized minority in Germany, but have suffered from expulsion and discrimination for centuries.

Cultural significance and challenges

Sinti and Roma not only bring with them a rich cultural tradition, but also contribute significantly to social life in Rhineland-Palatinate. However, prejudice and discrimination against them still exist. The history of the Sinti and Roma is marked by exclusion and persecution, which culminated in the genocide during National Socialism. This dark past is only being dealt with inadequately, as zdf.de highlights.

The stigmatization as a “traveling people” and the negative connotation of the term “gypsy” have contributed to a persistent image in society. This can be seen, among other things, in today's prejudices and the ongoing antigypsyism that influence the everyday life of many Sinti and Roma.

Progress and agreements

The new contract is part of a series of agreements between the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and various social groups. In December 2024, for example, an agreement was signed with four Islamic religious communities that, among other things, regulates Islamic religious education. In addition, other religious communities such as the Alevi community, the Jewish community and the Evangelical regional churches are supported through individual agreements. These regulations, offered alongside the new contract, aim to promote social integration and honor different cultural identities.

The initiative to work with Sinti and Roma is therefore a step in the right direction to increase awareness and appreciation for their culture while addressing the challenges they face. A deeper understanding of their history and ongoing discrimination could help reduce existing prejudices and better anchor Sinti and Roma as an enriching minority in social discourse.