Paper short abstract:

The paper aims to illustrate how Romaphobic imaginaries on the side of the official authorities contribute to the failure of the state in the effective promotion of Roma integration.

Paper long abstract:

Why is the Slovak state failing in the integration of Roma people? Last year, a syphilis outbreak among underage Roma children in Trebisov gained attention again from Slovak tabloids. Syphilis epidemics have been breaking out regularly here since 2002 and the last wave occurred in 2018. It was widely medialized, especially due to the high number of shocking infections among minors suspected of child prostitution. Despite the case being discussed by the official authorities, no factual solution contributing to destroying the prostitution network and improving local Roma life has yet been implemented. Syphilis continues to spread in the town of Trebišov among underage Roma children, and despite public declarations, none of the responsible authorities have any serious interest in addressing this alarming situation. The case became invisible, occasionally highlighted by local tabloids.

This appalling situation, typical of the parasitism of organized crime and pedophile networks on the poverty of the local Roma community, is a good example of neglecting and disregarding Roma discrimination in Slovakia influenced by the stereotyping ideas about Roma otherness which are promoted by the official Slovak authorities. Based on this case, my paper aims to illustrate how these Romaphobic imaginaries play a significant role in the spread of the official racist discourse, and how they consequently contribute to the failure of the Slovak state in the effective promotion of Roma integration and equality.