"The situation of third country nationals from countries in Africa and South Asia and other ethnic minority
groups in Ukraine, including the Roma population, is particularly concerning, as there have been
numerous reports of discrimination and even violence against these vulnerable groups. The Roma
population lack civil status documents, limiting access to critical services, including education and health,
and potentially humanitarian assistance as many Roman internally displaced people were not registered
prior to the current escalation in conflict."
CARE International, Rapid Gender Analysis Ukraine, Brief report on gender issues and current
humanitarian operations, 1 March 2022
"The Roma population faces ongoing discrimination. Even data on the Roma population in Ukraine is
contested. The last Census took place in 2001. It put the number of Romani in Ukraine at 47,600. However,
according to various estimates, the Roma community comprises between 200,000 and 400,000 people
living in all regions of the country (Council of Europe, 2021). […] In 2013, Ukraine adopted a Strategy and
Plan of Action for the Protection and Integration of the Roma National Minority into Ukrainian Society,
neither of which address gender issues or the needs of Roma women and girls. A 2019, a report by
Minority Rights Group Europe on the Roma in Ukraine noted the continuing discrimination and violence
against the group. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Roma communities were affected in distinct ways: the
majority lack civil status documents, creating difficulties in accessing education, employment and health
services. In addition, about 55.6% of internally displaced Roma interviewed by the Roma Women Fund,
Chiricli, were not registered, which limits their access to humanitarian assistance. […] Recommendations
To humanitarian donors: ▪ Consult with Ukrainian women leaders and representatives of marginalised
groups like Disability Rights Organisations and the Roma community to understand the needs identified
by them and to increase their influence in making humanitarian decisions in and for their communities…
▪ Map the media landscape in each area of operation to identify affected people’s preferred and most
trusted channels of communication. Recognise that different groups (e.g. single mothers with young
children, people with disabilities, Roma communities) will have different communication and information
needs and will likely have access to and trust different media channels, language and format, including
those they can and will use to provide feedback or make complaints.
▪ In all communications on the crisis, feature the diverse voices of women from the most vulnerable
groups, including women with disabilities, Roma women, women living with HIV/AIDS and single mothers,
and do so in a way that highlights their capacity and agency. Identify and actively engage women members
of particular communities in the dissemination of information within the group."
Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2022 - Ukraine, 28 February 2022
"[…] their voting and representation are hindered by factors including discrimination that discourages
political participation, the conflict in the east, and the lack of identity documents for many Roma.
Internally displaced persons (IDPs), who number 1.5 million, face legal and practical barriers to voting. […]
The Romany minority and LGBT+ people experience significant discrimination in practice. Roma and LGBT+
people and groups generally only receive police protection or justice for attacks against them when there
is intense pressure from civil society or international observers. Rights groups have reported that
employers openly discriminate on the basis of gender and age."
BTI, BTI 2022 Country Report: Ukraine, 23 February 2022
"However, discrimination takes place, especially with respect to the Roma and the LGBTQ+ community.
Moreover, equality before the law is not ensured since there is considerable corruption among law
enforcement authorities. […] There are no specific social barriers associated with religion, but some ethnic
minorities, especially the Roma, experience social exclusion. Disabled people and people living with
26
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents