On 5 April 2018, the European Center for Roma Rights reported that four individuals of Roma origin, A. Redzhepov (21), Y. Erdal (25), S. Mustafova (46), and B. Demir (39), died in Macedonian prisons in 2017 due to inadequate medical care and lack of proper supervision by prison staff. Redzhepov and Erdal died from overdoses of methadone and benzodiazepam, despite not being part of the methadone therapy program. Demir died from poisoning after being administered an incorrect dose of 'Prazin' tablets by medical staff. Mustafova’s death occurred after her pre-existing medical conditions had been ignored and dismissed as faked, as a result of which the staff withheld the necessary medical care. However, the autopsy revealed a high dose of benzodiazepine in her body. As illustrated in this article, discrimination against Roma people in prisons all too often results in death. This raises serious concerns about the treatment and conditions Roma face in detention and the degree of discrimination they are sub�jected to. As one of the most marginalized social groups, the Roma people face alarming levels of deprivation and inequality in nearly all aspects of life, driven by deeply rooted stereotypes and prejudice. In an attempt to provide a realistic depiction of the current situation and draw relevant conclusions, this paper analyzes different forms of discrimination against Roma in penitentiary institutions in North Macedonia and across Europe. The authors call for greater awareness and actionable solutions aimed at improving the treatment and rights of Roma prisoners, and fostering a more just and equitable prison system. discrimination, Roma, prison, racism, antigypsyism, prisoner rights
Kosevaliska et al. (Wed,) studied this question.