Anti-Romani sentiment

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Anti-Romani sentiment (also called antigypsyism, anti-Romanyism, antiziganism, ziganophobia, or Romaphobia) consists of hostility, prejudice, discrimination, nativism, racism, and xenophobia which is specifically directed at Romani people. The Romani, who are believed to have migrated from India to Europe during the Middle Ages, have faced a long history of discrimination and persecution. Arriving Romanis were seen as suspect, in part due to their nomadic nature. Romanis were suspected of theft and fraud, pickpocketing, black magic, prostitution, and stealing children. Many countries passed laws restricting Romanis' ability to work and live. For centuries, Romani people in Europe were persecuted, enslaved, hanged, and burned. As a result, relations between the Romani people and other ethnic groups are frequently marked by mistrust and fear. Romani people often hide their ethnicity out of fear of discrimination and stereotyping. Some Romani people avoid non-Roma because they consider them...

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