Comment by Qristina Zavačková Cummings on May 2, 2012 at 19:10

I like the sound of menschenwürdiges Leben... and your post actually brought me to tears as I sit here, studying. We don't want sanduko of any kind.

Amen kamas slobodija thaj pakiv~ 

Comment by Qristina Zavačková Cummings on May 6, 2012 at 23:15

LEADING ROMA ACTIVIST FACING UK EXTRADITION

06/05/2012 – Leading activist Toma Nikolaev, editor of the one-time bilingual DeFacto, is facing extradition proceedings from the UK which if successful could result in his imprisonment in Bulgaria.

Arrested recently on a European warrant Nikoleav spent three days in custody before being released on bail. He is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court at 9.30am on 22 May.

It is believed that his arrest may have been triggered by the Roma Nation Day protest outside the Bulgarian Embassy on 8 April. During a rememberance ceremony the same day at the Hyde Park Holocaust Memorial, members of his new Roma London BG group drew attention to the fact there have been more than 21 racially-motivated murders of Roma in their home country.

During the ten year Save Dale Farm Campaign Nikoleav and members of his family joined protest marches in Basildon against plans for the massive assault on the estate which eventually took place on l9 October 2011.

In was in October that he fled Bulgaria a second time while briefly released from prison for an appeal hearing after serving part of a sentence imposed following his public criticism over the failure of the government to fulfil obligations undertaken as part of the Roma Decade. Nikolaev has continued to lobby from London.

“Segregation in education,” says Nikolaev, “and neglect of the Romani mahalas amount to apartheid and we can’t rest until that ends.”

Disputing US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s appraisal of achievements half way through the Decade, Nikolaev says in many ways Roma were better off under socialism.

Nikolaev became prominent on the Bulgarian political scene when he stood for parliament after helping form Kupate (United), an alliance of Romani organizations. Kupate contested seats in a hope to win a foothold in the Sobranie but had limited success.

Instead of benefitting from democratic freedoms, the 600,000 Roma in Bulgaria suffered after l989 from a nationalist backlash and corruption in government. Most recently they have been menaced by the strengthening of the neo-fascist Attack Party.

With his family in danger – a bomb was alledgedly placed near his home – Nikolaev sought asylum in the UK. Like many such cases, his was never fully processed and remained in limbo for several years.

During that time, Nikolaev formed an association in London and became vice-chair of the Trans-European Roma Federation, created to assist asylum seekers from Bulgaria, Romania and the Czech Republic, before those countries joined the EU. He then returned to Bulgaria and started Defacto, becoming one of the most outspoken opponents of anti-Roma racism and a thorn in the side of the Bulgarian establishment.

Messages of support can be sent
to dale.farm@btinternet.com
or riadefacto@abv.bg

Comment by Elez Bislim on May 9, 2012 at 17:49

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/prevent-the-extradition-from-th...

Prevent the extradition from the UK of Roma human rights activist T...

Comment by Qristina Zavačková Cummings on May 9, 2012 at 17:54

Thanks for the link Eliz~ I will say that the petition requires email and street address.. which I do not want to give. The privacy policy state they won't use the addresses and the only people who will see are the petition author and potentially the target.  This still makes me uncomfortable and maybe others here too which would be a shame for the petition. I wouldn't mind giving general location, but not my street address. 

I have contacted the petition author to see if it may be possible to remove the need for a house number and street. 

I let you know what they say.

Comment by Stoimen on May 9, 2012 at 23:23

Thank you, Pit! It is very important that people know that they do not have to mention their private address. This I understood from Jonny.

Comment by Qristina Zavačková Cummings on May 9, 2012 at 23:26

The form it says required with one of those little stars. How to get around that? When I try and sign it: 

The following errors occurred

• Your street address must be completed by you and be less than 100 characters long
• Your city must be completed by you and be less than 25 characters long

Comment by Stoimen on May 9, 2012 at 23:37

If this petition is meant to support Toma, it cannot be meant to create new Toma's, by forcing people to leave their private addresses. This is an issue the petition initiators should have realized before...

Comment by Qristina Zavačková Cummings on May 9, 2012 at 23:38

I don't mean to create problem, but I will not leave my address. I contact the petition creator, but they did not contact me back.

I am sorry.

Comment by Qristina Zavačková Cummings on May 10, 2012 at 0:23

There are sites where it is available, however it is not that which would be my biggest concern--it would be how to get the signatures to the places which they need to be seen. How to make sure Toma had the best representation. A petition is a great thing--but only if people don't feel endangered by signing it or don't put themselves in danger. I feel like I am causing problem by pointing this out and being so determined about it--but I will not put myself in danger again, I cannot risk it. Not for Toma, not for anyone. And I apologize for that.

Comment by Bob Kozak on May 10, 2012 at 1:10

Hi Pit,

Maybe this address to create new petition will help:http://www.petitionbuzz.com/ 

All the best,

Bob 

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