Document #1112289
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
According to one source, the Gypsy
population of Poland in 1986 was estimated at 70,000, including
sedentary and nomadic groups. [ Roma: Europe's Gypsies,
(London: The Minority Rights Group, 1987), p. 13.] Another source
states the number of Gypsies residing in Poland was estimated in
1985 to be approximately 12,000, [ La Force des Faibles,
(Paris: Larousse, 1987), p. 274.] although the source did not
indicate whether this figure referred to nomadic, sedentary or both
segments of Gypsy population.
The attached copy of Roma: Europe's
Gypsies, published in 1987, provides the most comprehensive
report on the situation of Gypsies presently available at the
IRBDC.
Please find attached an abstract of a book
on Gypsies published in a human rights journal, as well as two
sections of a publication of the abovementioned publication and a
section on Gypsies from the French publication, La Force des
Faibles. In general terms, Roma and La Force des
Faibles indicate that socialist countries of Eastern Europe
have made attempts to integrate Gypsy populations into the urban
society, sometimes by coercion, and with varying results. In
Poland, Gypsies have reportedly faced discrimination or hostility
and, on occasions, deportation, although in at least one place they
have been integrated into the local community.
Please find attached the following
documents:
-Roma: Europe's Gypsies, by Grattan Puxton, (London: The
Minority Rights Group, 1987), pp. 3-4, 9-10;
-Human Rights Internet Reporter, (Massachusetts: The Human
Rights Internet, 1987), pp. 92-93;
-La Force des Faibles, by Roger Caratini, (Paris: Larousse,
1987), pp. 173-184.