By enacting the new law, Hungary became the first country in Central and Eastern Europe to provide a blanket compensation, though the exact amount to individuals has yet to be determined. The recent decisions drew mild praise from deeply cynical Roma leaders. There are certain criteria we have to meet, and the Roma question is one of them. T he EU, for its part, is not entirely altruistic in its admonitions. Observers suggest that if Hungary and other prospective members were not to improve education and work opportunities for the mostly impoverished Roma, EU membership would likely trigger a westward exodus.
Hungarian officials downplay a Western role in steering domestic policy.
But finally we've realized this was a debt of the Hungarian government. Since their arrival in Europe sometime about the 13th century, they've faced various forms of prejudice and persecution, and have been unable to shake the stereotype of being vagabonds, thieves or fortune-tellers. T he Third Reich took the boldest steps to purge itself of the Roma. Beginning in 1933, many Roma were subject to sterilization or internment in ghetto-like camps. According to the Nazi gameplan, they were to be the second question answered, after the Jews.