Racism in the United Kingdom

The Romanian parliament on Tuesday adopted a law that will punish anti-Roma "verbal or physical" actions with prison terms ranging from three months to 10 years.

A total of 244 deputies voted for the law, which only one MP rejected. Some 20 legislators abstained and eight did not take part in the vote, according to the Romanian parliament's website.

Roma should be better represented in the media, state institutions and political organizations, say MEPs, NOVA TV reported. 

The fundamental rights of the Roma remain constantly violated in the EU. This is stated by the European Parliament in a resolution adopted on Tuesday.

Aleksandar Vulin, representatives of the Roma National Council, and of Belgrade's Cukarica municipality have taken part the removal of anti-Roma graffiti.

The graffiti called for violence against this ethnic minority, including messages such as, "Death to Gypsies," "Serbia for Serbs," "Not for Gypsies," along with swastikas and "SS division symbols."

The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) has opposed the forced demolition of buildings and homes in the Roma neighborhood of the southwestern Bulgarian village of Garmen.

The human rights NGO cautions that the step leaves four families with nowhere to go, forcing them to sleep out in the open.

Although the number of people murdered in 2012 has decreased with 16 % compared to 2000, violence still remains widespread in the world.

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