Renowned human rights lawyer and philanthropist George Soros has received the European Civil Rights Award for Sinti and Roma for his many years of work supporting Roma communities across Europe.
The prize, presented at a ceremony in Berlin where former Chancellor Angela Merkel was a speaker, was accepted on her behalf by George Soros’ son Alex, who is chairman of the board of directors of the Open Society Foundations founded by his father.
The prize carries a total of €15,000 (approximately $17,400).
What did Soros Open Society say about the prize?
A press release issued by the Open Society Foundations stated that George Soros was awarded the prize for “supporting Roma-led organizations combating discrimination, expanding access to education and justice, improving early childhood development and health care, and amplifying the voice of Roma in public life.”
Soros himself said in a statement that “[t]”The Roma have endured centuries of discrimination and marginalization, rooted in a long history of violence – from genocide to forced sterilisation, child abuse and expulsion.”
“These injustices are coming to the fore again, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and most recently, when Roma fleeing war in Ukraine faced barriers to shelter and assistance,” they wrote. “I have always believed that open societies must protect the rights of all people – especially those who have been excluded. Working with Roma leaders and communities has been the most meaningful part of my life’s work.”
According to the press release, he said he would donate the prize money to the Roma Education Fund, which provides Roma communities with access to skills and employment programs and education.
Previous winners of the prize include former President of the European Parliament Simone Weil, former Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammerberg and Merkel, among others.
Who are the Sinti and Roma people?
The Sinti and Roma people have their roots in the northern Indian subcontinent and came to Europe by the 15th century.
The term “Sinti” specifically refers to communities traditionally living in Central Europe, including Germany, while “Roma” and “Romani” are used as broader terms.
Under the Nazi rule of Germany the ethnic minority group was subjected to systemic extermination – it is estimated that 500,000 Sinti and Roma were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators by the end of World War II.
Today, about 80,000–140,000 Sinti and Roma live in Germany, while their total number in Europe is around 10–12 million.
Sinti and Roma people still suffer considerable discrimination and prejudice. Last year, German officials reported that antisemitic incidents were expected to increase significantly in 2024.
Edited by: Sam Dusan Inayatullah