The Dark Unknown History

Ds 2014:8 The Dark Unknown History White Paper on Abuses and Rights Violations Against Roma in the 20th Century Ds 2014:8 The Dark Unknown History White Paper on Abuses and Rights Violations Against Roma in the 20th Century 2 Swedish Government Official Reports (SOU) and Ministry Publications Series (Ds) can be purchased from Fritzes' customer service. Fritzes Offentliga Publikationer are responsible for distributing copies of Swedish Government Official Reports (SOU) and Ministry publications series (Ds) for referral purposes when commissioned to do so by the Government Offices' Office for Administrative Affairs. Address for orders: Fritzes customer service 106 47 Stockholm Fax orders to: +46 (0)8-598 191 91 Order by phone: +46 (0)8-598 191 90 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.fritzes.se Svara på remiss – hur och varför. [Respond to a proposal referred for consideration – how and why.] Prime Minister's Office (SB PM 2003:2, revised 02/05/2009) – A small booklet that makes it easier for those who have to respond to a proposal referred for consideration. The booklet is free and can be downloaded or ordered from http://www.regeringen.se/ (only available in Swedish) Cover: Blomquist Annonsbyrå AB. Printed by Elanders Sverige AB Stockholm 2015 ISBN 978-91-38-24266-7 ISSN 0284-6012 3 Preface In March 2014, the then Minister for Integration Erik Ullenhag presented a White Paper entitled ‘The Dark Unknown History’. It describes an important part of Swedish history that had previously been little known. The White Paper has been very well received. Both Roma people and the majority population have shown great interest in it, as have public bodies, central government agencies and local authorities. This is very encouraging – broad support means that we are well placed to increase knowledge about our history, of which anti- Gypsyism is a part. A greater understanding of our history will enable the effective development of long-term initiatives for Roma inclusion. Roma must have full access to their human rights. We must therefore ensure that knowledge about the Roma’s situation is spread far and wide. Knowledge is our weapon against prejudice and discrimination. But it is time to move from words to action. We must act resolutely. The Commission against anti-Gypsyism, comprising both Roma and non-Roma, has been instructed by the Government to ensure concerted action on measures to combat anti-Gypsyism. This includes spreading knowledge and identifying effective measures and methods to combat and prevent anti-Gypsyism. The Commission has also been tasked with developing educational materials based on the White Paper to be used in all Swedish schools. Other stakeholders may also benefit from the knowledge that we intend to present both simply and clearly. International interest in the White Paper has also been significant. In many countries, both government and civil society representatives have welcomed the White Paper and the recognition it may bring for the victims of anti-Gypsyism. 4 In the fight for equal rights for Roma, a historical document of this kind has an important role to play. My hope is that this translation will increase knowledge about the situation of Roma, speed up action on Roma rights and inspire change. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this work, in particular all the Roma who, with dignity and courage, have shared their families’ history. I would also like to thank former Minister Erik Ullenhag, who with his genuine commitment and a good dose of persistency won the trust of Sweden’s Roma and brought this important White Paper to fruition. Alice Bah Kuhnke Minister for Culture and Democracy 5 Preface Thanks to Angelina Dimiter Taikon, Bagir Kwiek, Barbro Gustavsson, Birgitta Hellström, Bror Sandberg, Diana Nyman, Eleonor Frankemo, Hans Caldaras, Hilkka Grönfors, Juha Nyman, Kurt Magnusson, Marie Johansson Bergman, Mikael Demeter Taikon, Peter Johansson, Peter Lindberg, Rose-Marie Wallengren, Rosa Taikon, Singoalla Millon, Singoalla Rosana Cilione, Stig-Ove Lundahl, Sonny Jenfjord, Sonya Taikon, Soraya Post, Thereza Eriksson, Tommy Lindgren and Yveka Johansson. Thank you for sharing your memories and your lives. You and other Roma have opened my eyes and given me an understanding of the discrimination and abuse that were, and still are, a part of the day- to-day lives of Roma. Sweden's treatment of Roma and Travellers has a dark history. The first part of the 20th century involved pure racial ideology, the utmost form of which effectively stated that Roma should not live in Sweden. Roma mothers were not permitted to use maternal health services and sterilisation was used to prevent Roma genes from being passed on. In the second part of the 20th century, racial ideology was gradually erased and replaced with the welfare state's surveys and monitoring. Social interventions to help Roma were deployed, but this was done without consulting those who would be affected by these measures. Quite simply, Roma were not regarded as being able to understand what was best for them. This White Paper contains a range of strong testimonies from witnesses who describe the abuse suffered by Roma. Many of these testimonies make for painful reading and I am profoundly grateful that these people have chosen to share their experiences and stories and those of their families. 6 My hope is that this part of Sweden's history will be made known. The intention is to produce a shorter version of the White Paper that will be distributed to schools, as well as in other parts of society. The production and dissemination of the content of this White Paper is an important part of the work involved in the Swedish Government's strategy for Roma inclusion (Government Communication 2011/12:56). Lack of knowledge about Roma and the abuse and rights violations they have been subjected to contributes to laying the bulk of the blame for their current exclusion on the Roma themselves. This lack of knowledge perpetuates a gap in trust that is common between Roma and the rest of society. That the Government is now recognising and distancing itself from the historical abuse will, I hope, be seen as an important acknowledgement of all those who have been victims. Our historical treatment of Sweden's Roma is something to be ashamed of. Allow us to now ensure that we have a future that we can be proud of. Finally, I would like to thank all those whose time and dedication has helped produce this White Paper, the group of experts comprising Rosita Grönfors, Angelina Dimiter Taikon, Diana Nyman, Eleonor Frankemo, Stefano Kuzhicov, Marian Wydow and Mujo Halilovic, as well as the staff at the Ministry of Employment. Erik Ullenhag Minister for Integration 7 Contents Preface .................................................................................. 4 Preface .................................................................................. 6 1 Points of departure ........................................................ 13 1.1 Background ................................................................................... 13 1.2 Aim of the White Paper ............................................................... 14 1.3 Discrimination – an everyday part of the lives of Roma ............ 15 1.4 Historical description of abuse and rights violations ................. 17 1.4.1 Anti-Gypsyism ................................................................. 19 1.5 Interviews and consultations ....................................................... 19 1.6 Archive material and investigations ............................................. 20 1.7 Outline of the White Paper ......................................................... 23 2 Surveys of Roma ........................................................... 27 2.1 Introduction.................................................................................. 27 2.2 The Committee on Legislation concerning Poor Relief 1907– 1921 .................................................................................... 30 2.2.1 Survey's aims and participants .......................................... 35 2.2.2 The Committee's perception of “tattare” and “gypsies” ............................................................................ 37 2.2.3 Responses from the police districts ................................. 38 2.2.4 How many? ....................................................................... 45 2.2.5 The police's perception of “tattare” and “gypsies” ......... 46 8 Ds 2014:8 Contents 2.2.6 The vagrancy question in government committees of inquiry in the 1920s ...................................................... 47 2.3 The National Board of Health and Welfare 1942–1944 ............. 48 2.3.1 Racial biology investigations ............................................ 56 2.3.2 Surveys ............................................................................... 59 2.3.3 The National Board of Health and Welfare's perception of “tattare” and “gypsies” .............................. 61 2.3.4 Responses from the counties ........................................... 61 2.3.5 The National Board of Health and Welfare's report ...... 64 2.3.6 Examples of how the material was distributed in the 1940s .................................................................................. 67 2.4 The Gypsy Inquiry 1954–1955 .................................................... 68 2.4.1 The survey's aims and participants ................................... 69 2.4.2 Intensive investigation .....................................................

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