Reflections from the 3rd International IHRA Conference on the Persecution and Genocide of Roma during the Nazi Era

On a cold winter morning in London, the sharp chill added to the somber history of persecution and resistance to be discussed within Lancaster House. Yet, within the ornate halls, a warmth slowly began to grow – one borne from stories of survival, resilience, and agency. As the participants of the 3rd International IHRA Conference on the Persecution and Genocide of Roma during the Nazi Era gathered, they brought with them not only archival evidence and expert insights but also deeply personal experiences that humanized history and underscored the urgency for action.

The choice of London as the conference location held particular significance. In 1971, it was here that Roma leaders gathered for the First Roma Congress, a defining moment in the Roma civil rights movement. It was here that the Roma flag and anthem were adopted, giving Roma communities symbols of identity and unity.

Among the voices that set the tone for the day was Mirjam Karoly (Academic Working Group, Austria), a political scientist whose career has been shaped by her family’s history. “My father was born in Lackenbach, a concentration camp in Austria,” she shared, her voice both steady and reflective.

Source: https://holocaustremembrance.com/news/roma-agency-education-anti-discrimination