Governor of Ústí Region condemns violence, says Czech Government should address social exclusion

Governor of the Ústí Region Oldřich Bubeníček has condemned the violent course of Saturday’s demonstration by the Workers’ Social Justice Party (Dělnická strana sociální spravedlnosti – DSSS) in Duchcov, during which several people were injured. Czech Police successfully prevented any direct clashes between the right-wing extremists and members of the Romani minority there.

After Janov in 2008 and Šluknov in 2011, Duchcov is now the next locality in the region to become the site of violent demonstrations. The governor believes these demonstrations stem primarily from the fact that the issue of socially excluded localities has yet to be resolved at the level of the Czech Government.

"Socially excluded localities, of which the Ústí Region has the most in the Czech Republic, are characterized by high crime rates, the repeated commission of misdemeanors, high unemployment, low educational attainment, lack of respect for the law, usury, and in many cases also drug dealing. Unless these problems are primarily resolved at the level of the Czech Government, the frustration of decent citizens will continue to grow in parallel with the strengthening of extremist movements," Governor Bubeníček warned.

The governor is concerned that attention will now be focused on manifestations of extremism, as has already occurred in several cases before. "The things that most require addressing, however, will be pushed to the background by today’s violence and the citizens once again will not see the necessary legislative changes enacted," he said.

In the town of Duchcov (Teplice district) a rally by the Workers’ Social Justice Party (Dělnická strana sociální spravedlnosti – DSSS) grew into a series of street clashes with police officers. Aggressive neo-Nazis assaulted police and threw bottles and rocks, while the officers used fireworks, tear gas and water cannon.

Demonstrators damaged 11 police cars and 11 police officers were injured. One member of the riot unit was downed and had to be dragged to safety by his colleagues. The injured included photographer Stanislav Krupař of the weekly Reflex, who suffered lacerations to his head.

Of the 18 persons taken into custody by police, eight had committed misdemeanors (six against civil coexistence and two against public order). Police charged three people with the felonies of assaulting public officials and rioting.