Kutná Hora, Czech Republic: Roma and Ukrainians seek understanding after recent assault on a Romani man and demonstration
Dialogue and an effort to understand each other are the key to peaceful coexistence; that was the consensus among those attending a reconciliation round table in Kutná Hora, Czech Republic in response to a recent conflict during which a local Romani man was assaulted by a citizen of Ukraine. The local Romani community then held a demonstration in response to the incident.
The meeting was attended by Czech Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs Lucie Fuková, Mayor of Kutná Hora Lukáš Seifert, police representatives and local Romani and Ukrainian community members. The point of the parties sitting together at the same table was to discuss recent events from the perspective of all parties involved, to reach an understanding regarding the feelings of uncertainty and fear those events engendered, and to find a way forward together.
Mayor Seifert said what happened in Kutná Hora is most likely an isolated incident. “Quite frankly, I do not see a problem in the coexistence among anybody in Kutná Hora. It is important to amplify dialogue, as we witnessed today, and to be willing to reach agreement so something of the sort will not repeat,” he told ROMEA TV.
According to Czech Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs Lucie Fuková, both sides agreed that hate speech has no business being part of everyday life, including in communication on social media. It is absolutely unacceptable, in her view, for anybody to make threats of any kind against anybody else.
Fuková said it is also important that parents not pass on their own biases to their children, who do not normally judge others or their friends based on their skin color or origin. After the meeting, she said she had a very good feeling about its results.
REPORTAGE
“Emotions play a role both on the side of the Roma and on the side of the Ukrainians. Both sides expressed their fears for their children. As a society, we must realize, together, that we want to live together here and that we do not want any hate speech here, neither from the Romani side nor the Ukrainian side, and that we will all do our best to hold a dialogue,” she said.
The Czech Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs also proposed that a Romani Council be created in the town along the model of the others elsewhere in the country to communicate information about the needs of the Roma to the mayor and other stakeholders. “Romani people themselves should be able to say what is crucial for them at any particular moment and should also contribute to the realization of any measures,” she told news server Romea.cz.
Jan Červeňák, one of the initiators of the recent demonstration, expressed his surprise at the large participation of Ukrainian community members in the meeting and stressed that fears of assault are logical and mutually held by both Romani people and Ukrainians. “Assaults between us, whether by children or adults, are naturally disturbing, but it is important to realize that the fears are mutual,” Červeňák told ROMEA TV.
“I am glad we had an opportunity to meet and explain some things to each other and I believe it will lead to calming the situation and will prevent further escalation,” Červeňák told ROMEA TV. Police Lieutenant Colonel Dalibor Horský also introduced those attending the meeting to the two contact officers who are available to them at any time and emphasized that the police judge everybody by the same yardstick.
Horský also pointed out that the police follow all hate speech on social media. Mayor Seifert and the police representatives assured those attending the meeting that the investigation of the assault on the Romani man is proceeding with great care and that nothing will be swept under the carpet.
“I’m glad that both the mayor and the police are approaching the investigation even-handedly and that the case will be dealt with as the law requires,” said Červeňák, who also expressed regret that the alleged assailant was not present at the meeting, as he believes he should apologize to the injured party and his family. For his part, Červeňák apologized for some of the Romani community members who attended the local demonstration and expressed themselves inappropriately there about Russian aggression and the war in Ukraine.
“I disagree with any displays of aggression, whether by Russia or anybody else, I distance myself from them,” Červeňák declared. He also apologized during the meeting for the demonstration having marched in front of a building where the occupants had nothing to do with the assault on the Romani man.
In conclusion, Červeňák emphasized that the danger in Kutná Hora is not as great as has been presented and said he believes the meeting went well and that cooperation between the two communities will lead to the peaceful resolution of any future incidents. “We are all people and there is no need for anybody to assault anybody else. My wish is for all people, everywhere in the world, to be peace-loving and to find a way to behave with respect and courtesy,” he concluded his remarks for ROMEA TV.
Fuková thanked all those who attended the meeting and expressed her hope that all residents of Kutná Hora (and not just there) will feel they can be heard and are safe. “Isolated incidents or the spreading of groundless allegations should not be allowed to obscure the many years of work that have been done or the coexistence that is otherwise peaceful,” she told news server Romea.cz.
