The Polish Roma: From a persecuted to a protected minority

Abstract

In this article, we present an analysis of opinion polls conducted between 1994 and 2013 on attitudes toward Roma population in Poland. We situate these attitudes within Poland’s social, legal, political, and cultural context, emphasizing current legislation concerning minorities in Poland, scholarly literature on Polish Roma culture and traditions, crime, and the justice system. Throughout this article we identify specific barriers to the integration that are crucial to understand and improve the current situation of Roma in Poland.

Keywords:

• Polish Roma
• democratic transformation
• Roma minority
• Roma culture
• attitudes toward Roma

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Katarzyna Celinska

Katarzyna Celinska, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Law, Police Science, and Criminal Justice Administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York City, New York. Her research interests include women's incarceration, evaluation of prevention programs, and international criminal justice. She is currently writing a book on the influence of criminological theory and research on criminal justice policies and practice.

Agnieszka Gutkowska

Agnieszka Gutkowska, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Criminology in the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warsaw. Her research interests include the cultural determinants of migration, the assimilation of migrants and ethnic minorities, intercultural conflicts, and the cultural determinants of crime.