CRTA: Pressure Against Vulnerable Groups Intensifies, Roma Most Exposed

CRTA

The results of observations of the first part of the election campaign by the Observer Mission CRTA has shown that people from the socially vulnerable population categories, as well as employees in the public sector, were continuously and on a daily basis being pressured to support one political party.

The CRTA observer mission has found that, of all the minority population categories, the Roma were exposed to electoral violence the most, and that is why the organization was closely monitoring the events within the Roma community that pertain to the forthcoming elections.

"Information from the ground indicates that members of the Roma community were being pressured, both by the institutions and by their surroundings. There have been claims about the abuse of personal data of Roma citizens, to the benefit of political parties, as well as cases of coercion and intimidation of inhabitants of Roma settlements, so that they would 'sell' their vote. The members of this minority group are often faced with blackmail and threats of losing their job or welfare benefits, unless they vote for a particular political party or candidate," CRTA has announced.