Gypsies are the "victims of discriminating measures in some countries": "just think of the controversies aroused over the last few months by some law provisions against the gypsy populations". This was stated by mgr. Agostino Marchetto, secretary of the Papal Council for Migrants and Wanderers, as he spoke of the situation of the nomadic people, in the run-up to the VI World Congress of the Pastoral for the Gypsies, about "Young gypsies in the Church and in society”, which will begin this afternoon in Freising, Germany. "The reports we receive from the local Churches explained the prelate in an interview with the Vatican Radio Station show that gypsies are the victims of discrimination, as well as racism and xenophobia, a bit everywhere. Let’s look at the situation in Europe, for instance: Romanies and Sintis, even if they are citizens of the member states and have regular papers, cannot enjoy the same rights as the ordinary citizens. In some countries, gypsy children are forced to attend special schools for physically or mentally disabled children, while quite a few women have to undergo forced neutering. Because of the general lack of confidence, the young, even if professionally skilled, cannot find wok as the others do". (continued)
