Czech Republic: Information on the treatment of Roma by state authorities and the general population and the availability of state protection
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 July 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CZE27588.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Czech Republic: Information on the treatment of Roma by state authorities and the general population and the availability of state protection, 1 July 1997, CZE27588.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aaf288.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Please refer to Extended Response to Information Request CZE26377.EX of 21 March 1997 for detailed information up to February 1997 on the treatment of the Czech Roma and state protection available to them. Responses to Information Requests CZE26661.E of 14 April 1997 and CZE26739.E of 17 April 1997 update and add to this Response.
In May 1997 the US ambassador to the Czech Republic criticized the Czech government for its treatment of the Roma minority (Denni Telegraf 21 May 1997; Lidove Noviny 21 May 1997). According to the Denni Telegraf attachment, the ambassador "casts doubt on the equality of the Romany minority's right to an education and she points to the negative attitude toward the Romany population, the assaults by skinheads, and the scarce job opportunities for Romanies" (21 May 1997). Please see the attached articles from Denni Telegraf and Lidove Noviny for further analysis of the US ambassador's comments and the reaction of Czech newspapers to her criticisms.
A July 1997 European Commission assessment of the Czech Republic also states that "Romanies are discriminated against in the Czech Republic" (CTK 16 July 1997).
The Prague Post attachment provides details on the reaction to a proposal to build a monument to Romany dead on the site of the Lety death camp (21 May 1997).
The Los Angeles Times attachment reports on the activities and statements of far-right Czech politician Miroslav Sladek, including the influence his anti-Roma statements may have had on the Czech population (24 Apr. 1997).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
CTK National News Wire. 16 July 1997. "Grebenicek Praises EC's Agenda 2000, SPR-RSC Voices Reservations." (NEXIS)
Denni Telegraf [Prague, in Czech]. 21 May 1997. Marcel Pok. "Czech Republic: Commentary Rejects U.S. Criticism of Gypsy Policy." (FBIS-EEU-97-142 22 May 1997/WNC)
Lidove Noviny [Prague, in Czech]. 21 May 1997. "Czech Republic: Ministries Reject US Criticism of Romany Discrimination." (FBIS-EEU-97-141 21 May 1997/WNC)
Los Angeles Times. 24 April 1997. Home Edition. Dean E. Murphy. "Czechs Struggle with How to Be; 'Hate Speech' Case Against Vitriolic Lawmaker Illustrates Central Europe's Dilemma: Does Free Speech Strengthen or Endanger New Democracies?" (NEXIS)
The Prague Post. 21 May 1997. David Shorf. "Memorial to Replace Pig Farm on Site of Lety Death Camp." (NEXIS)
Attachments
The Associated Press (AP). 29 April 1997. "Five Gypsies Sentenced to Jail Terms for Racist Attack." (NEXIS)
CTK National News Wire. 16 July 1997. "Grebenicek Praises EC's Agenda 2000, SPR-RSC Voices Reservations." (NEXIS)
Denni Telegraf [Prague, in Czech]. 21 May 1997. Marcel Pok. "Czech Republic: Commentary Rejects U.S. Criticism of Gypsy Policy." (FBIS-EEU-97-142 22 May 1997/WNC)
Lidove Noviny [Prague, in Czech]. 21 May 1997. "Czech Republic: Ministries Reject US Criticism of Romany Discrimination." (FBIS-EEU-97-141 21 May 1997/WNC)
Los Angeles Times. 24 April 1997. Home Edition. Dean E. Murphy. "Czechs Struggle with How to Be; 'Hate Speech' Case Against Vitriolic Lawmaker Illustrates Central Europe's Dilemma: Does Free Speech Strengthen or Endanger New Democracies?" (NEXIS)
The Prague Post. 21 May 1997. David Shorf. "Memorial to Replace Pig Farm on Site of Lety Death Camp." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports. January-July 1997.
Open Media Research Institute (OMRI) Daily Digest [Prague]. January-April 1997.
Transition: Events and Issues in the Former Soviet Union and East-Central and Southeastern Europe [Prague]. January-July 1997.
Online search of LEXIS/NEXIS database.
One oral source consulted did not provide information on the above-mentioned topic.
