Ales Yauseyenka: They Used Tragedy In Mahiliou To Take Romani Community Under Control

The Belarusian state neglects the issue of integrating the Roma into society.

"The authorities used the tragedy in Mahiliou to take the Roma community under control," – the representative of the Belarusian National Congress in Homel, human rights activist Ales Yauseyenka said, as Radio Racyja reports.

According to the activist, the Roma had previously been closely monitored by the police:

– There have been cases of harassment before. Gypsies were detained at the station. They live near the city and go by train. Just a month ago, we they detained Roma. If you don't want to be detained, get out of the train station, – the transport police told them. There was a tense attitude towrds the Roma. And now the trigger just went off. And it all started.

Ales Yauseyenka has helped and advised Homel Roma in various cases and represented their interests in lawsuits within his human rights activities. According to the human rights activist, the Belarusian state neglects the issue of integrating the Roma into society.