Radgenossenschaft der Landstrasse

The Radgenossenschaft der Landstrasse is a Swiss umbrella organization representing the interests of the Jenish and Sinti communities. Founded in the mid-20th century, it advocates for the recognition, cultural preservation, and rights of these traditionally itinerant minorities within Switzerland’s broader social and political landscape.Historical background

The Radgenossenschaft emerged as a response to decades of discrimination and forced assimilation policies targeting the Jenish and Sinti. It formed after the controversial “Kinder der Landstrasse” (Children of the Road) program—run by the Pro Juventute foundation—which removed children from traveling families until the 1970s. The organization’s founding symbolized a turning point toward self-determination and redress.

Mission and activities

The organization advocates for the cultural and linguistic rights of Jenish and Sinti people, supports access to traditional itinerant livelihoods, and works to ensure legal protection under Swiss and international frameworks. It engages with federal and cantonal authorities, provides community services, and promotes education about minority histories to combat prejudice.

Recognition and impact

In 1997, Switzerland officially recognized the Jenish as a national minority under the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities—a milestone to which the Radgenossenschaft contributed significantly. The organization remains a primary interlocutor between the government and traveling communities, influencing policy on nomad sites, social inclusion, and reparations for past abuses.

Cultural preservation

Through public exhibitions, publications, and cultural events, the Radgenossenschaft supports the revival of Jenish language and traditions. It collaborates with museums and academic institutions to preserve oral histories and raise awareness of the communities’ contributions to Swiss cultural diversity.