Czech PM and presidents of the upper and lower house greet Romani people for International Romani Day through ROMEA TV

The president of the lower house emphasized the importance of eliminating prejudices and stereotypes and called for better mutual understanding, which will help everybody live together better. The president of the upper house also concentrated on the need for mutual understanding and the awareness that such understanding is the basis of a satisfactory coexistence.

Petr Fiala: The Government is taking specific steps to improve the lives of Romani people, planning to complete both the Lety memorial and the compensation of forcibly sterilized women

“Roma-related issues are very important to us. Our Government is endeavoring to create the best possible conditions for the lives of Romani people in the Czech Republic. We have taken several specific steps. We appointed the first-ever Commissioner for Romani Minority Affairs, Ms. Lucie Fuková. That is something Romani people have long been calling for that had not yet managed to be implemented for various reasons. The second thing that also has enormous importance is that we are finally resolving the issue of the Lety u Písku memorial. The work has already begun that should lead to the memorial opening in 2024. I consider this to be of exceptional importance not just for Romani people, but for all of Czech society. The third thing I would like to mention is also a sad inheritance from the past where we have been making significant progress with compensating the women who were forcibly sterilized. I learned there were many problems, bureaucratic procedures and inconsistencies in that process and we have taken the necessary steps to make sure these women will receive fair compensation as fast as possible. Those are the specific steps we are taking for Romani people, and on the occasion of this holiday, I would like to wish all Romani men and women in the Czech Republic the best of luck and a successful future together for us all.”

Markéta Adamová Pekarová: I’ve had Romani friends since my youth, we lack greater mutual understanding

“Lačho ďives. Since my childhood and youth I’ve had several friends who were Romani, both men and women, and I have very fond memories of a Romani family who were our neighbors when I lived in Karlín and I used to play with their son in the inner courtyard of the apartment complex. That was enormous fun. The important thing is that we knew each other. I believe that’s what is frequently lacking here, greater knowledge about each other and the awareness that we don’t have to succumb to the many prejudices and stereotypes that unfortunately keep appearing here in a big way. On International Romani Day my wish for you all is that we all get to know each other better, because that will aid us with living together better. I wish you all the very best.”

Miloš Vystrčil: International Romani Day is an occasion for mutual understanding

“On International Romani Day I would naturally like to wish the very best to all Romani women and men, but above all I want to say that I believe we should take advantage of this day – and not just this day, but all the others – to get to know each other better and to learn more about ourselves, because that kind of understanding is the basis for agreement, the foundation of a satisfactory coexistence. If it is the case that we want to live together in this state, we want to know how to get along and be of aid to each other, then it is exactly International Romani Day in particular that can be used to make us all more aware of what has to be done and that we need to get to know each other better.”