The Holocaust: The Eight Stages Of Genocide

The Holocaust is mainly recognized as the genocide that intended to exterminate all Jewish peoples. However, the Roma, as well as the Sinti and Lalleri, were also persecuted. The three distinct groups were classified as “Gypsies,” though formally are all grouped under the term “Roma” or “Romani.” Their oppression began long before Hitler’s rise to power, yet the mass murder of the Roma began under the reign of Nazi Germany. Romani people were faced with forced labour, extermination, and extremely harsh living conditions. Romani persecution and murder is classified as a genocide because it went through the eight stages of a genocide. As a European Nomadic group, Romani have experienced true horror throughout their existence and it is our duty to prevent any repeat occurrences.

First, Romani degradation dates far back to almost ancient times and is continually seen throughout history, mainly in Germany during World War II. However, in Germany under the Weimar Republic Article 109, Romani were protected and guaranteed equal

rights. Yet, in Bavaria, (a German state,) a law called “Combatting Gypsies, Vagabonds, and the Work Shy” was enacted in July 16,1926, and became national in 1929. This law forced “gypsies” to register with the government. Consequently, other laws such as the law for the “Prevention of Offspring with Hereditary Defects”, the “Law against Dangerous Habitual Criminals,” and the “Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honor,” were all placed in Germany to limit the rights of and degrade the Roma. Rita Prigmore, a Romani survivor, says that if they refused to comply, they were sent to Auschwitz. As a result, these were the actions leading up to the Romani Genocide.
During the duration of the Romani Genocide, Romas were deported and either killed or forced to live under horrendous conditions. Other countries, as well as Germany, would deport Roma to concentration camps. Additionally, Jews and other groups were also kept in these camps but were kept separate from other ethnicities. Meanwhile, Croatia exterminated 25,000 Roma, one-hundred percent of its Roma population. Killings either occurred in the camps or during the transportation. However, many people became sick with Typhus, Smallpox, and Dysentery. Even more, Roma would be poisoned with gas or shot point blank instead. By the end of World War II, 25% of the European Roma population was dead. In brief, Germany denied any racial prejudice in their killings and continued denying it until 1979. At this time, it was too late to recognize all the Roma killed during this horrendous time.
Although its existence was previously denied, today the Romani genocide is officially classified as a genocide.

The eight stages of a genocide include Classification, Symbolization, Dehumanization, Organization, Polarization, Preparation, Extermination, and Denial. Roma, Sinti, and Lalleri were classified as asocial gypsies. They were symbolized by registering with the government and being forced to have a steady job. Next, they were dehumanized with laws discriminating them such as the law for “Prevention of Offspring with Hereditary Defects.” After, in July 1936 the first ‘Gypsy Camp’ was organized, yet roundups didn’t occur until 1938. Following, racist propaganda and slurs were used against the Roma. In preparation, they were sent to ghettos alongside Jews. Afterwards, they were sent to concentration camps and killed or forced to do labour. Then, after the war, Germany denied the killings and claimed it was a necessary precaution until

1979.
In conclusion, during the time frame of World War II, many Romani people were killed. However, their persecution dates far back to ancient Greece. Yet, a quarter of their people were killed from prejudice in what is the Romani Genocide. This is a genocide because the eight stages of genocide can be found and identified throughout its occurrence. These horrendous acts will forever remind us to take action when something unjust happens.