Samudaripen: Roma Genocide Remembrance Day
On 3 September 2026, the REG Community Support Trust team had the honour of attending “Samudaripen: Roma Genocide Remembrance Day”, held at the Consulate General of Romania in London.
REG Community Support Trust Honours the Roma Victims of the Holocaust
The event brought together public officials, community leaders, organisations and members of the Roma community to remember the Roma men, women and children who were persecuted and murdered during the Holocaust.
We sincerely thank Alina Lepădatu, Mihai Nica, Roma Support Group and the Consulate General of Romania in London for the invitation and for creating such a meaningful space for remembrance, reflection and dialogue.
What Does Samudaripen Mean?
Samudaripen is a Romani word meaning “mass killing.” It is used to describe the genocide of the Roma during the Holocaust.
Hundreds of thousands of Roma people were persecuted, forcibly removed from their homes, imprisoned, subjected to forced labour and murdered by Nazi Germany and its allies. Entire families and communities were destroyed simply because they were Roma.
For many years, this part of history received limited recognition and was often excluded from education and official Holocaust commemorations. Events such as this are therefore essential for protecting the truth, honouring the victims and ensuring that their suffering is never forgotten.
Distinguished Guests and Speakers
The event was attended by distinguished guests, public officials, community leaders and representatives of organisations committed to equality, human rights and Roma inclusion.
Among those present was Councillor Antoinette Fernandez, Speaker of Hackney Council, who addressed the gathering and spoke about the importance of remembrance and recognition.
The participation of respected civic representatives gave greater visibility to the Roma genocide and demonstrated that this is not only an important part of Roma history. It is an important chapter of European and human history that must be recognised, taught and remembered.
Why Our Presence Was Important
The presence of REG Community Support Trust represented much more than simply attending an event. It reflected our commitment to standing alongside the Roma community, preserving its history and helping Roma voices to be heard.
As an organisation supporting people regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, language, culture or background, we believe that remembrance must lead to education, understanding and action.
Being present allowed our team to represent the communities we support, strengthen relationships with civic and community leaders and contribute to an important public conversation about Roma history, equality and inclusion.
It also strengthened our determination to continue challenging discrimination, supporting vulnerable individuals and building a society in which every person and every community is seen, heard, respected and valued.
A history that has been ignored must never become a history that is forgotten.
Samudaripen means memory, truth and responsibility. We remember the victims, honour their lives and promise: we will not forget.
Reg Community Support Trust (Charity No. 1215395) is a registered charitable organisation based in Ipswich, United Kingdom. We offer free, confidential support with the things that are hard to face alone: benefits, housing, work, paperwork and language. Much of our team has been through it themselves.