Croatian MP calls for education on Roma persecution during WWII

Veljko Kajtazi, a Member of Parliament and a key representative for the Roma national minority in Croatia, is advocating for educational reforms that include the history of Roma persecution during the Independent State of Croatia (NDH). Speaking ahead of the International Day of Remembrance of the Romani Victims of Genocide (Samudaripen), Kajtazi emphasized the importance of fostering a society that actively remembers and resists prejudice.

Kajtazi, who has been a leading figure in the Roma community for sixteen years, has dedicated his political career to preserving Roma culture and identity, improving Roma settlements, and ensuring educational opportunities for young Roma. A central focus of his work remains the commemoration of the genocide committed against Roma by the Ustaše regime during World War II.

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If we want a society resilient to forgetting and prejudice, it must be taught in schools about the persecution of Roma during the NDH.

In an interview with Večernji list, Kajtazi detailed the ongoing struggles faced by the Roma community, including persistent discrimination and segregation. He also discussed his engagement with state institutions and the government, his interactions with the President, and his future political objectives.

Kajtazi envisions Croatia as a nation built on equal opportunities, where every citizen enjoys the same rights and possibilities, irrespective of their ethnic background. However, he pointed out that certain local government units actively promote discrimination against Roma, thereby perpetuating societal divisions.

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Some local government units directly encourage discrimination against Roma and maintain divisions.