Foreword to Nicolae Gheorghe’s Article: The Romani People: From Enslaved People to Citizens

Authors

  • Nicoleta Biţu Romani feminist scholar with a PhD in Political Science

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29098/crs.v9i1.240

Keywords:

Equal citizenship, Opression, Romani mobilisation, Slavery

Abstract

This is a Foreword to Nicolae Gheorghe’s Article: The Romani People: From Enslaved People to Citizens, written by Nicoleta Bitu.

Author Biography

  • Nicoleta Biţu, Romani feminist scholar with a PhD in Political Science

    Nicoleta Bitu is a pioneering voice in Romani feminism and Roma rights, with over 35 years of activism in Europe. She has shaped Romani feminist discourse by linking gender, ethnicity, and social justice. She co-founded Romani CRISS, a Roma-led organisation that was the leader in defending Roma rights for 30 years. She served as an expert and consultant for the United Nations, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe, the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Open Society Foundations. She was a key figure in establishing ERIAC, where she later served on the board. Additionally, she was chair and academic adviser for RomArchive.

    Nicoleta Bitu’s constant actions, like a silver lining, have been mentoring new generations of Romani activists, both women and men, as well as maintaining a lasting connection with the realities of her people, from local Romani communities. Nicoleta Bitu was Nicolae Gheorghe’s life partner and supported him in his intellectual work and activism from 1991 until his passing in 2013. 

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Published

11/25/2025

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026): Racialized Slavery in Moldavia and Wallachia: Legacies and Silences

Section

Arts and culture

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Nicoleta Bitu

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How to Cite

Foreword to Nicolae Gheorghe’s Article: The Romani People: From Enslaved People to Citizens . (2025). Critical Romani Studies, 9(1), 158-160. https://doi.org/10.29098/crs.v9i1.240