Czech Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs: I can't change a sometimes unjust system overnight, but here's what I can do
Dozens of messages a day, requests for aid with applying for compensation for forced sterilization, aid with finding rental housing, aid with criminal proceedings, as well as abuses and insults which are not constructive. Frequent messages saying "The Roma did not elect you, resign."
On the other hand, I also receive words of support and understanding. Reading these emails and messages from the public is just a fraction of what I do every day as the Czech Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs.
Given how many people are contacting me, it is clear that there was a hunger for this position to be created to oversee the agenda of Romani-related issues. Romani people want to feel that somebody represents them at the highest level.
Some of these requests for aid are not part of my agenda, and the public sometimes does not completely understand what I can assist with and what not. I would like to explain this position a little more.
The position of the Czech Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs was established on the basis of the adopted Strategy for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2021-2030. Several names were considered for it and I was appointed the first-ever Commissioner in December 2022.
Several names were considered for it and I was appointed the first-ever Commissioner in December 2022. The choice was made on the basis of my education, experience, and public administration practice. This position is appointed, not elected - not by the citizens of the Czech Republic, and not just by Roma.
The choice was made on the basis of my education, experience, and public administration practice. This position is appointed, not elected – not by the citizens of the Czech Republic, and not just by Roma.
The Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs is an advisory body to the Government, just like the other commissioners (e.g., for human rights or national security). I frequently read in the comments on social media the conclusion that I have sold out, that I am “friends” with the Government.
This position is independent, but I will not be able to do anything with collaborating with the ministries. That is the chief core of my activity – to ascertain what the ministries are doing for the Roma minority and to coordinate the work between them.
This agenda should not be fragmented – the left hand should know what the right hand is doing. I also can oppose ideas when, on the basis of my experience, I know some solutions have failed before.
I am not a journalist, and sometimes I struggle with the challenge of briefly, clearly explaining complex issues – I am also not a social media influencer, I don’t have hours of time to spend on making videos for social media or attending every demonstration that happens. I am not an activist who can afford to slam the door as I leave a meeting in protest, and I am not a Superwoman who can change the system (which is sometimes unjust) that has been built here over the course of years in just a few months.
What I do know how to do, though, is to connect people across the different levels of the state, regional and local administrations, to bring people from different environments to the table, and to look for inspiration and resources in the various EU programs. The crucial document for this work is the Strategy for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation.
If we manage to fulfill the Strategy, all Romani people in the Czech Republic will be much better off. However, in order to “move” the Strategy forward, I need to build up my office.
In Slovakia a Plenipotentiary for the Roma has been working for years now, but I don’t have anything to build on in that regard. I am looking for the financial and staff capacities so I can better assess and push through the recommendations in the Strategy.
Among the crucial areas of the Strategy, such as Education, Employment and Housing, the point on Participation has recently become the most important. That is a cross-cutting issue.
The crucial document for this work is the Strategy for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation. If we manage to fulfill the Strategy, all Romani people in the Czech Republic will be much better off.
The tensions in the Romani community after several conflicts with citizens of Ukraine (both real conflicts and imagined ones) shows us that there is a big weakness in the system, and that is communications from the police and the state which are insensitive or insufficient, as well as the low representation of Romani people in local administrations and in the public administration generally. For that reason, I am building up a network of local ambassadors to be my “extended hand” in the regions.
These ambassadors are able to intervene at any time on the spot and the public can turn to them in case of need. I am also creating a model for collaboration among local actors, on the basis of which the Roma Council has already been created in Brno and there are plans to create such councils in other towns.
I have also initiated a Working Group on Roma Participation to be part of drawing on the resources from the EU funds. Whether I am convening “round tables”, meeting with the ministers, speaking with media, commenting on laws or visiting the regions, my main aim is to improve the position of Romani people in the Czech Republic.
As a Romani woman myself, I know what it is to face prejudice and a worse position in many areas of life. That’s why I appreciate the fact that today we finally have a chance to advance the work that has been done in recent years by the ministries, nonprofits, and Romani advisors and coordinators.
First published in Czech in the magazine Romano voďi.
