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Sat, May 26 2012
Child dies from malnourishment in Vratsa
Photo: Krassimir Yuskesseliev
A Roma child has died from malnourishment in the northwestern Bulgarian city of Vratsa, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reported on March 2 2011.
When social workers arrived at the scene, they were shocked at the state of the other children and decided to take family's six surviving children and put them into care. According to the authorities, the seven children, aged from four months to 12 years old, were living in a shed without heating, slept in a single bed and were all tucked in under a blanket to keep warm.
The youngest, a baby aged four months, died after it was "malnourished systematically".
Residents of the Roma ghetto complain that the local municipality is unconcerned with their situation. They say they have "repeatedly asked for the municipality to offer them council houses so they can live normally".
"It is only when there is a tragedy like that that there is suddenly an interest, but it lasts only for one day," Trifonka Ousounova from the ghetto told BNT.
"Before they took the children away, they should have made consultations to see who is responsible for the accident," Yuri Angelov said.
But the social workers were adamant that they have done the right thing. Moreover, they say that this was one of many such accidents in the ghetto and this time around, they would seek assistance from the Vratsa Municipality.
When social workers arrived at the scene, they were shocked at the state of the other children and decided to take family's six surviving children and put them into care. According to the authorities, the seven children, aged from four months to 12 years old, were living in a shed without heating, slept in a single bed and were all tucked in under a blanket to keep warm.
The youngest, a baby aged four months, died after it was "malnourished systematically".
Residents of the Roma ghetto complain that the local municipality is unconcerned with their situation. They say they have "repeatedly asked for the municipality to offer them council houses so they can live normally".
"It is only when there is a tragedy like that that there is suddenly an interest, but it lasts only for one day," Trifonka Ousounova from the ghetto told BNT.
"Before they took the children away, they should have made consultations to see who is responsible for the accident," Yuri Angelov said.
But the social workers were adamant that they have done the right thing. Moreover, they say that this was one of many such accidents in the ghetto and this time around, they would seek assistance from the Vratsa Municipality.
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No Accident - yes it could, and it has, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-10
Very sad a kid died.
The law in BG should apply to all, but it does not.
What stops the government from sueing Gipsies?
Could I do what they do? No I would be in jail for life but they can do all this and suck on benefits - disgusting. Instead - filling up tower blocks with Bulgarians living on credit at outrageous conditions and emptying the countryside. See all these "lost souls" everywhere in Sofia driving awful German cars, poor them...
I agree with a lot of comments on here from watch and upset,how can a baby die from starvation in a EU country I could cry yet I am so angry and upset. I can also understand why the good Bulgarian hard working people dislike the Roma. Was it not the Roma family that caused the death of this baby the answer is YES it was, how can any parent neglect a baby to the extent that it starves to death.
If a family cannot feed their family why do they keep on having more children [...]
Read the full comment the Roma are a breed apart and the Bulgarian people should not feel guilty.
Since we have been living here, we have noticed that some Bulgarians who might not beg.. make as much money out of us British people that they can, some Bulgarians are very greedy! They do not beg, they Take!
I am sorry but this was "No Accident" the Municipality is well aware of the plight of the Gypsie people ! But they turn a blind eye because they are Gypsies and not Bulgarian!!!?
This should be classed as "Manslaughter" and the Municipality should be "Held Responsible" for the death of the 4 months old baby! I am British and I am appalled at the way poor people who live in this country do not get any help?
Do you think this would happen in the UK - No !!!
The Roma population certainly needs some help, but this must never be instead of them helping themselves, but a joint effort. I am sorry to say that it may be time to insist that they carry out their obligations as Bulgarian citizens in return for the same rights as all others. The situation where they only take from the rest has to stop.
As for returning them elsewhere, that is not an option for any sensible discussion. Otherwise you could ask "after the Roma - who next?" Slavic groups, Turkish, Greek, Hungarian !!!!
[...]
Read the full comment /> I would also suggest that the phrase "final solution" should be avoided.
"Accident"? What "accident"? A baby doesn't die suddenly and unexpectedly of malnourishment. Wanting council houses is nothing new, but if someone wants to live normally, they might consider that "normal" in 21st century Europe would be using contraception until you have a home fit to bring up a baby in, not popping out your own football team while you live in a bloody shed.
I would rather suggest teaching them to obey the laws in each country and giving them jobs.They need to start taking responsibility for their own lifes like everyone else.
There are plenty of not used lands which can be converted into farms.
I'm not sure if any government can decide to move them back to India this will most probably violate a lot of human rights.
Cosmos and upset, i agree with you, what do you guys think will be the final solution to Gypsies problem especially the ones in Bulgaria and Romania, i think the U N should find the solution itself, these people should be helped back to India since they came from there years ago.
First of all I am sickened and angry that a baby was not fed.The parents should be charged with manslaughter.I see that the social workers have taken the rest of the children into care I hope that they can now be looked after.
I do think that these Roma are a blight on the normal hard working people of Bulgaria,and I agree with upset.
The Roma people do not care about anything they just breed and send their children begging and stealing its about time the Bulgarian people told the goverment that [...]
Read the full comment we have had enough.
This is redicilous, these gypsies should take care of their own kids and make sure they live in a healthy environment. Government is not responsible for their own parental stupidity. Such people should be put into prison and kids should be put into care. I'm tired of listening such accusations towards Bulgarians that we do not care. Let me ask you something who cares about our kids, who cares about that we can't pay our bills ?
Answer is short no one !
Why gypsies should receive free houses, free electricity, free heating, free [...]
Read the full comment everything and we should be paying for it ?
This is clearly genocide against Bulgarian population and the working people.
Give those gypsies work and make them obey the same laws as we do only help to old people and disabled and those that clearly needs help!