Breaking Barriers: Three Lawyers Fight Discrimination Against the Roma Community in Spain”.

In the legal field, discrimination against the Roma community is a persistent problem. Manuel Reyes, a 51-year-old lawyer from Córdoba, has experienced it firsthand. He recalls instances of stigma in his professional life, such as when a prosecutor made a derogatory comment about gypsies in his court. Despite this, he has been one of the few judges and prosecutors of his ethnic group to practice in the country.

Pastora Filigrana, a lawyer from Seville, shares Reyes’s sentiment. She believes that the lack of clear records about the Roma people contributes to discrimination. Unconscious anti-gypsy bias is a known phenomenon that can influence judicial decisions.

Josefa Salazar Salazar, a lawyer in Barcelona, remembers her parents’ struggle to find housing due to discrimination. She now runs a successful law firm and advocates for visibility as a gypsy business owner.

These three lawyers feel a responsibility to challenge stereotypes and discrimination in the legal field. They have experienced both acceptance and discrimination in their careers.

The Secretariado Gitano Foundation reported instances of rejection by young gypsy lawyers who face barriers in pursuing education due to segregation and societal norms.

As International Gypsy People’s Day approaches on April 8th, there is a call for increased awareness of the challenges faced by the Roma community in the legal sector. Efforts to promote diversity and inclusion have been met with some resistance but there is a push for change.

The Association of Gypsy Jurists continues to work towards creating opportunities for young gypsies in the legal field.