Discrimintation of Gypsy and Traveller Communities
The Traveller community faces harassment and discrimination on a daily basis as a result of negative stereotypes and deeply ingrained cultural prejudges. Unfortunately, many instances of harassment and discrimination go unchallenged because they are subtle and indirect. However, there are ways to counter harassment and discrimination and there are specific instances when it can be successfully challenged. |
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English Gypsies and Irish Travellers
Today, both English Gypsies and Irish Travellers are recognised as distinct ethnic minority groups in law because they are recognised as members of a community with a share history stretching back over hundreds of years. As such they are granted the full protection of the Race Relations Act.
New Travellers
New Travellers are not a legally recognised ethnic minority group because their history only goes back to the early 1960’s. However, all individuals and groups are granted protection under The Human Rights Act.
Direct Discrimination
Direct discrimination happens when and individual or body (such as a brewery, shop or a service provider, etc…) openly discriminates against an individual or group because of who they are. Examples of this would be things like a pub or shop putting a sign on the door say ‘No Travellers.’
Indirect Discrimination
Indirect discrimination happens when a service provider such as a local authority, health authority, school, etc… excludes an individual or group or restricts their access to services because of who they are. Examples of this would be a local authority housing department refusing to put a Traveller on a housing waiting list because because they have not been resident in the housing authority’s area for more than six months. Because Travellers face continuous eviction and are often forcibly moved from one area to the next, it is often impossible for them to be resident in one specific locality for a sufficient length of time. The Traveller concerned would have to show that they had remained in the general area (i.e., the county) and had local links (such a children attending local school or a history of employment).
Gypsy and Traveller communities are said to experience one of the last bastions of acceptable racism in society and this has to stop. The only way forward is education and integration helping society to understand the Gypsy and Traveller culture and to help them to accept it as a recognised culture like many others.
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