Romani people in Switzerland
Ethnic group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
About 80,000 to 100,000 Romani people live in Switzerland.[3] The Romani minority in Switzerland are subjected to discrimination along with Yenish people.[4]
| |
| Total population | |
| 32,500[1] | |
| Languages | |
| Swiss German, Romani,[2] Sintitikes | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Romani mythology |
There are around 400 Sinti. They are Swiss citizens and often live with Yenish people.[5]
History of persecution
In 1471, the law was passed in Switzerland to persecute the Romani people of Indian origin.[6]
Before World War I, a police ‘Gypsy registry’ was established. In the year 1914, the Swiss Roma were interned and expelled from Switzerland. This meant that only a few Sinti and Roma families were actually living in Switzerland. The ban on Romani people entering Switzerland was rescinded in 1972.[4]
Since 1936, the Swiss police collaborated to hunt for Romani people.[7]
Roma, Sinti and Yenish people were persecuted in Switzerland during World War II.[8]
Notable people
See also
