Throughout centuries the Roma were persecuted and severely discriminated. Emperess Maria Theresia of Austria, for instance, ordered to take away the children from the “gypsy” parents. By enforcing compulsory schooling, Maria Theresa wanted to “cure” the Roma children of their nature. In many countries of the European Union the Roma minorities still suffer severe discrimination, harassment and violence. Despite the fact that the Roma form the largest ethnic minority in the European Union, they have nearly no representatives in the European parliament and other institutions of the EU.This talk deals with the origin and history of this not very homogeneous ethnic minority as well as with the present situation of the Roma in the European Union.