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Sinti family in the Kitzingen district: Discrimination at the campsite!
A Sinti family in Kitzingen felt discriminated against after being turned away from campsites. The incident shines a light on antigypsyism.
Sinti family in the Kitzingen district: Discrimination at the campsite!
In a worrying incident, a Sinti family from Bochum was recently turned away from two campsites in the Kitzingen area. Despite registering by phone, the family was denied access, which they see as discriminatory and unfair. The site management justified the rejection with the words: "We don't accept Sinti. A burned child is afraid of fire" - a sentence that once again shows the ongoing prejudice against this ethnic group. The family, consisting of six adults, including parents, siblings and their partners, not only feel excluded by this act, but also imprisoned by their clan, which they find humiliating. This rejection is not an isolated case, but reflects the reality that many Sinti and Roma in Germany face, as Mainpost reports.
Discrimination against Sinti and Roma has taken on alarming dimensions in recent years. In 2024, the Antigypsyism Reporting Center registered 1,678 cases of discrimination and violence against this minority, a significant increase compared to 1,233 incidents the previous year. This development shows that antigypsy attitudes not only exist in society, but are also becoming entrenched. This problem, which is characterized by stereotypical statements, acts of violence and institutional racism, is perceived as everyday life, as the Tagesschau highlights.
The reality for Sinti and Roma
There are around 70,000 Sinti and Roma living in Germany who are recognized as a national minority. This ethnic group is characterized by its own culture and history and brings with it a variety of languages and traditions. Sinti are a subgroup of the Roma who have been living in the German-speaking area since the 15th century. Antigypsyism, or racism against Sinti and Roma, is not only expressed by individuals, but can also often be found in political discourse. The managing director of the MIA, Guillermo Ruiz, criticizes anti-gypsy rhetoric, especially from representatives of the AfD, and calls for the establishment of reporting centers in all federal states in order to be able to better record and combat incidents. This demand is supported by many support organizations such as the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma, which campaign for the rights and recognition of this minority, as Mediendienst Integration summarizes.
What is particularly alarming is that the vast majority of affected Sinti and Roma say they are confronted with discrimination in everyday life. A survey found that 45% of respondents have difficulties with Sinti and Roma in their area, while 49% believe that this group is prone to crime. These attitudes contribute to the exclusion of many Sinti and Roma from social life - a challenge that affects not only those affected, but also our society as a whole. They are often disadvantaged in schools (e.g. through unequal treatment in school recommendations), which can have a lasting impact on their entire educational career.
The events in the Kitzingen district are more than just isolated cases; they illustrate a problem affecting society as a whole that urgently needs to be addressed. An open discussion and taking a stand against discrimination are necessary so that the affected family and many others do not have to feel like they are being punished for their origins. Only by acting together can we ensure that Sinti and Roma are no longer perceived as “the other”, but can live as equal parts of society.