First antigypsy commissioner appointed in Rhineland-Palatinate!

First antigypsy commissioner appointed in Rhineland-Palatinate!

In a significant step towards improving the rights and participation of Sinti and Roma, Rhineland-Palatinate signed a state treaty with the State Association of German Sinti and Roma on May 28, 2025. The aim of this treaty is to strengthen the cultural identity of the minority and to document the historical responsibility of society. It is a ray of hope and a step in the right direction, because Michael Hartmann has made a name for himself as the first antigypsy commissioner in Rhineland-Palatinate. His mission? To promote mutual understanding between Sinti and Roma and wider society, as n-tv.de reports.

Hartmann, who does not see himself as a representative of the associations but as a contact person for those affected, wants to reduce the deep-rooted mistrust of state institutions. To this end, he is planning monitoring to record cases of discrimination. In the future, those affected will be able to report discrimination for two years, whether when looking for accommodation or at work. “We have a long, painful history behind us,” says Hartmann, who emphasizes the heterogeneity of the Sinti and Roma. It is estimated that around 10,000 Sinti and Roma live in Rhineland-Palatinate, and they are not homogeneous; rather, their language, Romani, reflects a colorful diversity.

Bad omens and growing challenges

The challenges are great, as there has been an increase in hate speech and attacks against Sinti and Roma. In 2024, 52 incidents were recorded, compared to 27 in 2023 and only 11 in 2022. This shows a dramatic increase that cannot be ignored. Jacques Delfeld, managing director of the Association of German Sinti and Roma, is therefore calling for greater awareness of the problem of antigypsyism. According to dw.com, the Antigypsy Reporting and Information Center (MIA) documented a total of 1,678 cases of discrimination in its 2024 annual report, an alarming increase compared to 621 cases in 2022.

In this context, the statements of Mehmet Daimagüler, the first federal commissioner against antigypsyism, are also relevant. He warns of the danger of verbal stigmatization and the danger of antigypsy propaganda. Michael Brand, the new Federal Commissioner against Antigypsyism, also emphasizes how important it is that minorities such as Sinti and Roma are better protected.

A ray of hope in dark times

This new state treaty in Rhineland-Palatinate represents an important milestone. The treaty provides for the introduction of an independent antigypsy commissioner, which is unique in the country. The aim is to make structural antigypsyism visible, to strengthen those affected and to sensitize institutions, as vdsr-rlp.de reports. The chairman of the regional association, Christian Kling, describes this contract as an expression of the political will to change and combat discrimination.

With an annual increase in the regional association's institutional funding from 250,000 euros to 450,000 euros, the structures are to be permanently secured and consolidated. It is a great initiative to ensure that the valuable work of the association is supported in the long term.

The exciting question remains: Will this path to responsibility and participation bring the hoped-for change? Or will old prejudices continue to burden society's perception? Time will tell, but there are hopes.