Soviet Union/Ukraine: Whether Roma (Gypsies) were identified as such in their internal passports during the period of the Soviet Union
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 17 July 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SUN34828.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Soviet Union/Ukraine: Whether Roma (Gypsies) were identified as such in their internal passports during the period of the Soviet Union, 17 July 2000, SUN34828.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad645c.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
On 7 July 2000 a representative of the European Roma Rights Centre stated that Roma in Ukraine, like everyone else in the Soviet Union, had to choose their nationality as it would be indicated in their internal passports, when they reached the age of 16. Those who wanted to be identified as Roma would have the word "Gypsy" indicated under the nationality rubric of their internal passports, but many Roma chose to be identified by other nationalities, such as Ukrainian or Russian, for various reasons, including simplicity and security.
The fact that "Gypsy" was considered a nationality under Soviet law is mentioned in a 1990 Soviet broadcast, according to which a Supreme Soviet decree banning nomadism for "Gypsies," on pain of a five-year sentence, was the Soviet Union's "only decree under which criminal charges can be brought on grounds of nationality" (Moscow Home Service 14 Jan. 1990). The same broadcast quotes a Soviet Roma as saying that
I am very ashamed to say it but we Gypsies put ourselves down as Moldavians, Ukrainians or Russians in our passports. We put down other nationalities and peoples. But (this is part) of our history. I know that, let's say in Moldavia, before the revolution there was no law against killing a Gypsy. I know that during the war there were dreadful fights with the Romanians and the Germans in 1943 in which more than 100,000 Gypsies, no doubt, were killed. People were forced to conceal their nationality. It was a struggle for existence and survival. (ibid.)
An article on compensation for Ukrainian Roma who survived the Holocaust stated that "[m]any nomadic Gypsies have no passports and would only be able to receive compensations if they provide documents from Gypsy groups certifying their background ." (AP 17 July 1998)
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Associated Press. 17 July 1998. "Swiss Fund to Pay Compensation to Ukrainian Gypsy Holocaust Victims." (NEXIS)
European Roma Rights Centre, Budapest, Hungary. 7 July 2000. Correspondence.
Moscow Home Service. 14 January 1990. "Gypsies' 'National Dignity Is Being Eroded.' " (BBC Summary 29 Jan. 1990/NEXIS)
