Czech Govt Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs and Public Defender of Rights launch online series for Roma
Czech Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs Lucie Fuková and Public Defender of Rights (the ombudsman) Stanislav Křeček want to instruct Romani people in the Czech Republic on how to recognize discrimination and defend themselves against it. They have prepared a multiple-part series about this issue to launch on social media.
The ombudsman reported the launch of the series on the website of his office on International Romani Day, 8 April. “On International Romani Day, our wish for all Romani people is that they never have to grapple with discrimination. Unfortunately, we know from the people who turn to us that many Romani people still face discrimination. For that reason, we have jointly prepared a Facebook series with multiple posts in which we explain to Romani people how to recognize banned discrimination and how to defend themselves against it,” their joint statement reads.
In the material, Romani people will learn which grounds for discrimination are prohibited by Czech law in which areas of life. They will also learn how to defend themselves in such cases.
The material also advises Romani people what to do when they become an eyewitness to or a victim of biased hatred. “I am glad that this year on International Romani Day we have moved one step closer to being a society that knows how to address the issue of discrimination against Romani people. Next, the Government should approve the definition of antigypsyism, which will aid it with raising awareness about the different forms of discrimination, hate and prejudice which Romani people face in their everyday lives. This is not just an important symbolic gesture to society as a whole, but also an instrument that will assist people in their specific situations. Above all, however, it is a clear statement that anti-Romani attitudes have no place here,” Fuková said.
International Romani Day falls on 8 April, marking the First World Romani Congress of 1971. Romani people have commemorated International Romani Day annually since 1990; in the Czech Republic, celebrations have been held since 2001.
