Photo Gallery Tensions Rise Over Roma in Duisburg
Tens of thousands of Roma have immigrated to the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia in recent years. Authorities in Duisburg say they are struggling to handle the influx, and report a spike in crime. Here, the cellar entrance to a building in the city's Rheinhausen district, where tensions between Roma and German residents are high.
Here, two social workers from the Association for Future-Oriented Support (ZOF), which helps immigrant families integrate, visit the building. It's known as a "problem house" in the district. "If we leave (the children) on their own then they will become the criminals of tomorrow," says the ZOF's Murat Yasar. "They don't have any other options."
Until just recently there were stacks of trash and debris here at the back of the building, reportedly thrown out the windows. But the city sanitation department came and picked it all up. Fed up with the trash and the noise from their Roma neighbors, other residents in the Duisburg district have started petitions against them.
As EU citizens, Roma from Romania and Bulgaria are legally allowed to live in Germany and collect social benefits. But German labor laws prevent them from finding proper jobs. Many are forced into crime or prostitution. Roma from non-EU nations often face deportation.
Fed up with the trash and the noise from their Roma neighbors, other residents in the Duisburg district have started citizens' initiatives to collect signatures for petitions against them.
Here, the doorbells at the front of the "problem house" in Rheinhausen. Roma here complain that local shops won't serve them.
There have also reportedly been attacks on Roma immigrants by people wearing masks.
"If we don't work against this, we'll very quickly have a general debate about foreigners," a local police commissioner says.
