Protecting all ways of life

In recent decades, the rights of the world’s Indigenous communities have gained some significant traction across both the social and political spheres – can this inform the treatment of Roma and Traveller communities too?

A lack of respect for different ways of life has always been an underlying social issue in Western culture. For centuries, Indigenous communities (who currently represent 6.2% of the global population) have sought to remain self-governing while facing the constant pressure of central governments’ control, especially when it comes to their lands and culture. This stance to remain independent is a tiring, uphill battle, but it has resulted in policy changes on a national and international scale. As the world comes together to try and right wrongs against those who defy conventional expectations, maybe there are changes needed for Roma and Traveller communities.

Some academics argue that Roma and Traveller communities could fit the UN definition for Indigenous communities and in 2017, the Irish government recognised Irish Travellers as an Indigenous ethnic minority. The Council of Europe estimate the Roma population throughout Europe is between 8-15 million, however, 8085% are sedentary and those who continue to live an itinerant lifestyle are mainly based across Western Europe. Sadly, one consistency everywhere is that Roma and Traveller communities are often subjected to prejudice and stark rates of inequality whilst being vilified for their lifestyles and culture. In general, they have lower life expectancy, poorer educational attainment and are more likely to experience housing deprivation.

What can local government do?

One possible solution is to introduce more authorised land for Roma and Travellers to use so they can maintain their way of life without it resulting in legal intervention. On a local level, this could align with calls for more green spaces and help prevent excessive urban expansion – similar to how protection of Indigenous land results in more natural spaces. On a national and international level, this brings forward the possibility of creating a network of land that could take the financial and organisational pressure off individual local authorities. With this approach, there may be room to address some of the other core issues that impact these communities, such as providing better healthcare and offering security for those in designated land sites to ensure safety and accountability. As always, on the ground, it falls on local authorities to facilitate dialogue between the traveller and settler communities under their jurisdiction.

Ultimately, in a time where great emphasis is being placed on how we treat each other, no matter our differences, no group should be overlooked. There is certainly an end goal to strive towards which prioritises community reconciliation without enforcing cultural eradication, and perhaps that can be found by taking a leaf out of the emerging policies for Indigenous peoples.