Czech Republic: urgent action needed to protect Roma from racist extremism

“I am deeply concerned about the emerging pattern of anti-Roma events in the
Czech Republic – many led by racist extremists groups and organised
simultaneously in different localities across the country. Their increased
frequency and determined rhetoric against the Roma community call for a
comprehensive response from the Czech authorities,” said today Nis Muižnieks,
the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, publishing a

letter addressed to the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Mr Bohuslav
Sobotka.

Anti-Roma demonstrations have become a recurring phenomenon in the country.
“There is a continuing, worrying trend of violence targeting the Roma. Only last
year, 22 Roma were physically attacked, following earlier waves of anti-Roma
demonstrations, including those of 2011, which ended in riots and arson attacks.”

“Czech authorities must take preventive measures to protect democratic values
from the dangers posed by extremist groups. Measures should include the
effective sanctioning of organisations that promote racial discrimination, and
banning demonstrations in the vicinity of Roma neighbourhoods when there are
indications that the participants intend to march towards these neighbourhoods
with the aim of targeting Roma communities.”

Lastly, the Commissioner noted that the widespread discrimination and
violence against Roma requires overarching efforts to promote tolerance and anti-discriminatory
attitudes throughout the majority population. “Political and opinion leaders
have an essential role to play to promote respect for human rights and social
cohesion.”

The Commissioner covered the issue of institutionalised anti-Gypsyism and
racially motivated violence against Roma in his

February 2013 report on the Czech Republic.

The reply by the Prime Minister is available

here.