ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: For centuries, the gypsies of Russia have suffered from ethnic discrimination, and it wasn't until the 1917 Russian Revolution that they were granted civil rights. But that changed again in 1930 when Stalin's policy of assimilation fostered in a wave of racial prejudice against gypsies. Now as Russians educate themselves about their diverse society, ORT reports there are still mixed feelings toward the gypsies.</s>VALENTINA BORESOVA, ORT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): So many gypsies, and where they come from even the police don't know. According to stereotypes, each tribe has its distinctive characteristics. Tajiks (ph) have more children and sometimes wear tubetec (ph) hats. And Madyars (ph) peddle inexpensive cosmetics. The only way officers can remove them from the streets is by taking them into custody to check their documents, and police say this is too costly.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We cannot keep people here for very long. This room is for those temporarily detained. It even has an air conditioner.</s>BORESOVA: Fortune tellers have raised their prices to 10 rubles, and since not many agree to pay such a high price, gypsies think it is more profitable to simply beg. This is best accomplished by children, they look directly in the eye, fall to their knees and plead to the last. These gypsies have been roaming the country for eight years already. Their homeland is the Jordan city of Suhumi (ph).</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Even in the bad weather we are on the street, in rain and snow, we still sleep on the street.</s>BORESOVA: Once a week, authorities try to send them home, escorted by a police convoy. They are put on the train from Moscow to Dujanbek (ph). However, they leave the train at the first stop and simply return to the station. This report was prepared by Valentina Boresova of ORT Russia, for the CNN WORLD REPORT.
Gypsies Aren't Welcomed With Open Arms in Russia