ROBERTO MALINI AND DARIO PICCIAU

When justice protects racists

by Juan de Dios Ramírez Heredia

 

In the photo, Juan de Dios Ramírez Heredia

Barcelona, April 27, 2012. Many of you know of the existence of Roberto Malini. He is a tireless fighter. Roberto Malini's our friend, our brother, our ally. And within two days will be in court in Pesaro (Italy), and with him also appear Dario Picciau. Another great activist from the platform "Everyone Grup" show their faces in defense of Roma and any citizen who is a victim of racial or social discrimination.

I ask you to read the following lines. They are crieing against a brave and committed authorities to perform their duties without any regard to the most basic rights that are inherent to the dignity of every human being. Read the words of Roberto reflecting very clearly by the ordeal they are going through many of our brothers in Italy who have bequeathed to racist politicians who think the time has passed.

Juan de Dios Ramírez Heredia

The message by Roberto Malini

Treviglio (BG), April 22, 2012
Dear friends,

I thank you for your support. We have spent many years working for social justice and we are persecuted for defending the rights of Roma and ask the institutions and authorities to respect their rights. We want to be a symbol of all those who are expelled, accused of unfairly and punished without any guilt.

In Italy, the police commit abuses and Rroma incriminating with false charges. Such sentences are unjust and often end up in prison without having committed any crime. The juvenile courts and social services snatch children from their mothers and give them in adoption to Italian families. Do not help poor and marginalized communities, but the brutally expelled. Many hospitals refuse to treat Roma people, and politicians defaming the Roma community to gain the favor of citizens.

But we know the truth and continue to devote our lives to defend it. We promise that we do not stop.We will continue to raise our voice against the abuses against our brothers and sisters gypsies. We have received threats, police and judicial harassment, and intimidation by political groups and racists. We are not violent but have powerful weapons: truth, justice and our ideals of brotherhood. We do not stop.

The Roma population suffers actual persecution in the European Union. We can not accept this continuing violation of human rights. In Italy, the hatred against the Roma is so strong that it also affects us, the defenders of human rights.

On April 27 the great activist Dario Picciau and I must defend before a judge in the terrible Court of Pesaro. What is our crime? None. Simply provide humanitarian aid to three young gypsies in front of a policeman. However, this was not the first time, because in Pesaro politicians, judges, police and many citizens have taken actions to force us to abandon the local Roma community. In Pesaro, many Roma have suffered incredible abuse and ended up in jail without guilt. We will go to the Court with pride and wearing a shirt with the image of Gandhi and the slogan: "Human rights are the bread of the world." We stand before the unjust judges of Pesaro with courage and pride, to represent all the gypsies who are and have been persecuted.

Roberto Malini
EveryOne Group Co-Chair

roberto.malini@everyonegroup.com

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THESE MEN HAVE BEEN TIRELESS SUPPORTERS OF THE RIGHTS OF ROMANI AND ALL OPPRESSED PEOPLE.

ROBERTO IS ALSO CO AUTHOR, WITH PAUL POLANSKY, OF THE WONDERFUL BOOK OF POETRY

THE SILENCE OF THE VIOLINS,

ABOUT THE SITUATION OF ROMANI IN MILAN ITALY.

WITH ALL THE VIOLATIONS OF CIVIL RIGHTS, IT IS INCREDIBLE THAT THE AUTHORITIES CHOOSE TO PROSECUTE (PERSECUTE) THOSE WHO WORK TIRELESSLY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.