23:49, 27 January 2007

Mass arrests of Gipsies practiced in Volgograd Region

In the city of Volzhsk, Volgograd Region, Gypsies have been arrested on a mass basis since January 24. Elena Konstantinova, president of the Volgograd public organization for protection of Gipsy women's rights "Congress of Roma Women," has informed the correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot" about it.

According to Elena Nikolaevna, the militia of the Region has launched a large-scale operation named "Tabor" (Gypsies' Camping-Ground). Every day, members of law enforcement bodies are detaining Gipsies in the streets and marketplaces of Volzhsk and Volgograd. Arrests are made in Gipsies' flats. "Nationality-motivated discrimination is obvious. Human rights are broken in the most impudent way," Elena Konstantinova has declared. "Arrests have acquired a mass character. They first detain some of the people, and then come to take the rest. My phone is bursting out. Gipsies are calling all the time with complaints that at militia stations they are treated rudely and arrogantly."

In the words of Ms. Konstantinova, Gipsies are scared to officially complain on infringements of their rights by employees of law enforcement bodies.

Author: Vyacheslav Yashchenko, CK correspondent