Romani Rose

Romani Rose – President of the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma

Thirteen of Romani Rose’s immediate family members were murdered in concentration camps during the National Socialist era, including his grandparents in the camps of Auschwitz and Ravensbrück. Since June 1979, he has been at the forefront of advocating for the civil rights of German Sinti and Roma in front of both German and international audiences. He has fought for their protection against racism and discrimination, for compensation for Holocaust survivors, and for public recognition of the scale and historical significance of the genocide of 500,000 Sinti and Roma in Nazi-occupied Europe.

In May 1995, through cooperation with member organizations of the Central Council, Rose achieved official recognition of German Sinti and Roma as a national minority in Germany, with their own minority language. This recognition was closely linked to the goal of ensuring equal participation in social and political life.

The Central Council of German Sinti and Roma was founded in February 1982. It is an independent umbrella organization representing 17 national associations. Headquartered in Heidelberg, it functions as an advocacy group that represents the political and civil rights interests of German Sinti and Roma. The Central Council works for the equal participation of Sinti and Roma in politics and society, as well as for the protection and support of Sinti and Roma as a national minority.

As part of its civil rights efforts, the Central Council maintains ongoing dialogue with state and regional governments regarding the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Germany. Due to the Central Council’s efforts, German Sinti and Roma were officially recognized in 1995 as a national minority. Additionally, German Romani was recognized as a minority language under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

On an international level, the Central Council represents the interests of Sinti and Roma at conferences organized by the EU, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE. It is also a member of numerous national and international minority organizations.