Elena Gorolová, fighter for compensation for illegally sterilized people, has lost her home in the Czech floods, collection is now open to aid her and her family
Elena Gorolová, a Romani activist and human rights defender of the rights of the women and men who have been sterilized without their free and informed consent in the former Czechoslovakia, present-day Czech Republic and present-day Slovakia, is now in a difficult situation. Last week her home was hit by destructive flooding which completely destroyed all of the equipment and furnishings in her apartment, which was unfortunately not insured. Gorolová has been involved in defending the rights of Romani people for more than 20 years as well as the victims of illegal sterilizations, and now she finds herself needing the aid of others.
The collection in aid of Elena Gorolová is organized by the longtime human rights activist Gwendolyn Albert. “I’ve known Elena for more than 20 years and I consider it necessary to assist her with this now. She herself would not hesitate to help others for even one minute,” explains Albert, who has been supporting Gorolová in her fight for justice from the start.
Gorolová has become an internationally recognized symbol of the struggle for the victims of illegal sterilizations to be compensated in the Czech Republic, above all the Romani women who have been targeted for such treatment. Appreciation for her work was announced in 2018, when she made it onto the prestigious list of 100 inspiring women in the world, annually organized by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Thanks to her efforts, in 2021 Act no. 297/2021, Coll., which makes it possible for the victims of illegal sterilizations to be compensated financially, was adopted by the Czech Parliament and signed into law.
Gorolová and her family used the compensation awarded to her to improve the interior of their rented apartment. Unfortunately, their joy at being able to do so did not last long. The flooding has totally devastated their home. “She fought so long for everybody to be compensated, and now she has nothing to show for it herself. This is the moment to come to her aid!” Albert said.
Czech Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs Lucie Fuková has given her auspices to the collection and has called for people to support Gorolová: “She came to the aid of many people and now she is the one who needs assistance. Let’s help her start again,” Fuková said.
The proceeds from the collection will aid Gorolová and her family with furnishing their next home and getting back on their feet. “Please, everybody who believes in the indomitable nature of the human spirit which Elena embodies, support her so her restart will be that much easier,” Albert appealed to the public.
Elena Gorolová speaks about her life, video in the Memory of the Roma archive
Click on the gear icon for English subtitles
