Roma People in Slovakia: Building a Wall Around an Ethnic Minority

Abstract

Slovakia, as multiethnic state, is home to significant Roma population making them third largest ethnic group in thecountry. Widespread discrimination in the society and inadequate state policies put many Roma in position ofunemployment, bad or no education, horrendous housing condition with no running water or electricity and otherinfrastructure, segregation and walled off communities. Europeanization of state policies might have changedlegislation but the practice is in many ways not affected.