Mass Killings of Gypsies during World War II in Slovenia

Abstract

The occupation and division of the Drava Banovina in 1941 among four neighbouring states was followed by a period of ethnic cleansing perpetrated against members of the Slovene nation and against members of national minorities, i.e. Germans, Jews, and Gypsies. The paper sheds light on genocide committed against Gypsies. Gypsies were victims of genocide perpetrated by Italians, Germans, Hungarians, and members of the Slovene resistance movement (partisans). Partisans’ involvement in the massacre committed against the Gypsy minority represents a special Slovene addition to the genocide perpetrated against Slovene Gypsies.