These were the roma and Sinti, nomadic people from northwest India who arrived in Europe in the fifteenth century and were persecuted. As many as 250,000 Gypsies were killed. They were seen as enemies of the state less because of race than a fear that they were parasites and criminals.

Popular term for Roma and Sinti, nomadic people believed to have come from northwest India. Traveling mostly in small caravans, Gypsies first appeared in western Europe in the 1400s and eventually spread to every country of Europe. Prejudices toward Gypsies were and continue to be widespread. Approximately 250,000 to 500,000 Gypsies are believed to have perished in the Nazi concentration camps, killing centers, and in Einsatzgruppen and other shootings. As with the Jews, many were also killed by local, native populations of many eastern European countries.

A collective term for Romani and Sinti. A nomadic people believed to have come originally from northwest India. They became divided into five main groups still extant today. By the sixteenth century, they had spread to every country of Europe. Alternately welcomed and persecuted since the fifteenth century, they were considered enemies of the state by the Nazis and persecuted relentlessly. Approximately 500,000 Gypsies are believed to have perished in the gas chambers.