At the Romano center in Gothenburg, Roma can get help and guidance on how Swedish society works, for example how to look for a job or look for a preschool place.
On Thursday, the center had invited the Support Center for Crime Victims and the Regional Support Center. Two units that work to provide support to those who are afraid of being affected by honour-related crime.
Political opposition wants to close
The reason for these extra resources is directly linked to the ongoing trial in Gothenburg, where two brothers are suspected of having driven their mother to death. The prosecutor believes that it is an honor-related crime and that this family previously participated in so-called Romani crisis, a kind of Roma informal trial. Following this incident, the center has seen an increased need for conversations.
But after GP's reviews of the case showed that staff at the center themselves have participated in such trials, the opposition in Gothenburg is now demanding that the center be closed again.
"We do not see that the centre has the ability to deal with these problems," says municipal councillor Elisabet Lann (KD).
Damaged trust
Anna Lundqvist is head of unit at Romano center and she says that they are now working on an action plan to move forward, and that what has happened has damaged the center's trust.
Do you think that those who are afraid of being exposed to honour-related crime dare to come here in the future as well?
"I don't know, but I hope so," Lundqvist says.
(A): "Zero patience with honor culture"
The Social Democrats announce via cultural councillor Blerta Hoti that they take the events seriously but that they have not yet had time to take a position on the proposal.
"I received the opposition's motion only yesterday so we have not yet taken a position on it, but I myself have grown up in a culture where honour oppression is widespread and I have zero patience with all forms of honour culture. Therefore, I have personally contacted the center and will go there in the near future to ask questions about the extremely serious thing that has come to light, says Blerta Hoti (S)