About 10,000 Roma arrived in Brussels, mainly coming from Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia, as well as from the countries of the former Yugoslavia, according to a survey of the Roma community in Belgium.

In this research, it is notable that the Slovakian Roma are in the most disadvantaged position, who are mostly engaged in begging and other similar activities. It is specified that their home country towards this minority is bad, and that those who are now in Belgium have the feeling that they have nothing to lose.

According to the survey, despite the customs and behavior, as many as 95% of Roma are permanently stationed in Belgium, that is, they do not intend to spend their lives in some other countries.

Historically, the first Roma who arrived in Belgium date back to the 15th century, and that the number of Roma has constantly expanded, and the biggest surge began with the EU enlargement in 2007.

Otherwise, those Roma who in some way managed to secure employment are the most frequent occupations in construction and domestic services, according to the results of this research.

I have received from Prof Ian Hancock, long-time, veteran IRU representative, in America, a study which shows that, the Nazi fascists targeted the Travellers, (the Jenische in Germany, Austria etc)., and murdered all they could capture. We already know that as part of their plan to invade Britain - called Operation Sea Lion - they intended to round up all Travellers. Needless to say, that invasion would have

been accompanied by an occupation of Ireland - where again all Travellers would have faced death. This study helps to establish why Travellers want to be included when the subject of the genocide, the Holocaust, is discussed. Why Travellers have as much rights to be included on the UK Holocaust

Commission, and fully acknowledged and remember on the proposed £50 million UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre planned next to Parliament. All I say is the better united we are around this issue the more chance of success in persuading Chair of the Commission Lord Pickles to accept Roma and Travellers onto the Board in a position of equality with the Jewish and other 25 or so members already appointed.

It is four years since the first request to meet with the chairman was made. All requested have been rebuffed. Many, including myself, feel this permanent rebuff to be an appalling insult to the Roma and Travellers whose lives were taken - or threatened - by Nazi and fascist regimes, the characteristics of which are again evident today in government policies, and the actions of extreme neo-nazi groups across Europe.

Nazione Rom [Roma Nation Association in Italy] is holding a Conference in Rome on 14 September in order to unite as many people and organizations as possible in a common front against Matteo Salvini and other right wing regimes.