Czech Republic

Czech Republic: DSSS extremists preparing to demonstrate in Varnsdorf again

Varnsdorf, 17.7.2013 16:30, (ROMEA) News server Deník.cz reports that promoters of the Workers Social Justice Party (Dělnická strana sociální spravedlnosti - DSSS), led by party chair Tomáš Vandas, are heading to the town of Varnsdorf once more this fall. They will be doing so almost exactly two years to the day after neo-Nazis and other right-wing extremists repeatedly fomented violence on the streets there.  full story

videoArtist exhibits designs for new Czech-Roma flag

Prague, 16.7.2013 23:52, (ROMEA) The latest exhibition at the Artwall Gallery in Prague presents seven designs for a new Czech-Roma flag created by Slovak artist Tomáš Rafa. The project, entitled "Selection Procedure for Czech-Roma Flag" ("Výběrové řízení na česko-romskou vlajku") critically responds to the current situation in which Romani people are not considered Czechs by the majority society and find themselves in forced isolation.  full story

Miroslav Kováč: Let's abolish all welfare for everyone!

Prague, 16.7.2013 21:54, (ROMEA) Recently I have observed online, on the street, at anti-Romani demonstrations, and even from the lips of politicians that many in the Czech Republic believe Romani people here enjoy an above-average standard of living because of thos country's generous social welfare system. I am Roma and I happen to live in the real world, traveling to various so-called excluded localities (I even used to live in one myself). As a citizen who knows the law and is familiar with this issue, I have decided to share my knowledge with those in the majority population who are ignorant of the facts, especially with those who, perhaps because of laziness (at best) have succumbed to all the quasi-fascist hoaxes, myths and populism on this issue, those who term themselves the "decent people" but scoff at the laws, as well as those politicians who make it directly possible for the corrupt to increase their personal bank accounts abroad by adopting various "measures" through which our asset-stripped "state coffers" are supposed to be "filled".  full story

International journalists shocked by Czech MP's comments about finance minister

Prague, 16.7.2013 15:55, (ROMEA) International journalists living in Prague are either shocked by the remarks made last Sunday by Czech MP Michal Babák (Public Affairs - VV) about Jews and the state coffers or consider them to be a sign of dilettantism. Rob Cameron, BBC correspondent in Prague, and Hans-Jörg Schmidt, correspondent for the German newspaper Die Welt in Prague, said that if something similar were to happen in Western Europe, the politician would have to either resign or at least leave the party. Gustavo Monge, the correspondent for the Spanish wire service EFE, called Babák's comments cheap, populist, and rude.  full story

Czech Republic: Anti-Roma demo in Duchcov allegedly followed by Roma assault on extremists, police brutality

Duchcov/Prague, 15.7.2013 17:32, (ROMEA) News server Policejní deník (Police Daily) reports that on the evening of Saturday, 13 July, police officers received a call to their emergency line that two men had been assaulted in a pub in Duchcov (Teplice district). Patrols of both municipal and state police went to the scene.  full story

Czech Police detain dozens of anti-Roma demonstrators in České Budějovice for a third Saturday in a row

České Budějovice, 15.7.2013 3:29, (ROMEA) On Saturday, 13 July, an anti-Roma assembly at the Máj housing estate in České Budějovice resulted in police officers detaining about 60 protestors who refused to leave the housing estate despite police orders to do so. About 300 people participated in the demonstration, but the police outnumbered them and managed to prevent them from moving into the area of the housing estate where the Romani community resides.  full story

Czech Republic: About 40 people attend anti-Roma assembly in Duchcov

Duchcov, 15.7.2013 2:51, (ROMEA) On the square in the town of Duchcov (Teplice district) approximately 40 people convened on the afternoon of Saturday, 13 July for an anti-Roma assembly. People listened to a brief speech and then dispersed, but some of them headed to the southern part of town where the Romani neighborhood is.  full story

Czech Green Party: Let's prevent violence on the streets of České Budějovice

České Budějovice, 13.7.2013 2:31, (ROMEA) Representatives of the Green Party (Strana zelených - SZ) in the Czech Republic say the currently tense situation in České Budějovice is the responsibility of the town leadership, which for years has closed its eyes to growing problems, failed to address complaints and petty crime, and failed to assist any housing estate residents, Romani or otherwise. "The overcautious posturing of local leadership can best be seen in the fact that municipal representatives are now afraid to speak at the Romani demonstration and are trying to dissuade activists from convening anti-racist demonstrations. The town hall did not present any specific plan for improving the situation during the recent discussion convened by municipal representatives," said Bronislav Tomek of Jindřichův Hradec, who leads the SZ human rights section.  full story

Czech Govt Human Rights Commissioner: Romani people are persecuted here, welfare abuse is exaggerated

Prague, 13.7.2013 0:50, (ROMEA) In an interview with the weekly magazine Reflex, Czech Government Human Rights Commissioner Monika Šimůnková says it is complicated and unpleasant to be a Romani person in the Czech Republic and that right-wing extremists are exploiting people's dissatisfaction with the state of the country. News server Romea.cz brings you the interview in full translation:  full story

Czech Republic: Peaceful Czech-Roma assembly set for Saturday, 13 July at the Máj housing estate

České Budějovice, 12.7.2013 21:31, (ROMEA) This coming weekend is expected to be very busy again in České Budějovice. Two anti-Roma assemblies followed by marches will be heading to the Máj housing estate on Saturday 13 July.  full story

Czech Republic: Gathering against violence today in České Budějovice

České Budějovice/Praha, 12.7.2013 17:52, (ROMEA) Today at 16:00 CET a gathering will be held on Piaristické Square in České Budějovice organized by local democrats from all walks of life and from across the political spectrum who say they want to "clearly express that a significant proportion of the citizens of České Budějovice strongly disagree with all manifestations of antigypsyism and and extremism. Under no circumstances is it possible to resolve problems through violence."  full story

Czech Republic: Third person charged in anti-Roma protests, more violence expected this coming Saturday

České Budějovice, 11.7.2013 17:56, (ROMEA) A third person has been charged in connection with the recent anti-Romani protests in České Budějovice. Detectives say the 20-year-old man assaulted a police officer on Saturday, 6 July with a glass bottle and is suspected of committing violence against a public official.  full story

Czech Republic: First two charges filed over violence in České Budějovice, experts fear more violence ahead

České Budějovice/Praha, 11.7.2013 3:04, (ROMEA) Two men who participated in recent unannounced demonstrations at the Máj housing estate have been delivered a ruling informing them that criminal proceedings have begun against them, the Czech Police report on their website. Experts are warning against violence linked with right-wing extremists who are organizing demonstrations there similar to those that have happened in North Bohemia in previous years.  full story

Czech Republic: Police harass local Roma in Litvínov, young woman victim of police brutality

Litvínov - Janov, 11.7.2013 0:39, (ROMEA) The Janov housing estate in Litvínov primarily became known to the rest of the country in 2008. In the autumn of that year, right-wing extremists went on a series of sprees of violence and attempted pogroms against local Romani residents there while some of the residents of Czech nationality applauded them. (For background information, please see http://www.romea.cz/en/news/czech/czechrep-sees-toughest-clash-of-police-far-rightists-since-2000)  full story

Czech Republic: Hundreds attend meeting about anti-Roma unrest in České Budějovice

České Budějovice, 9.7.2013 22:54, (ROMEA) Several hundred people gathered today in a sports hall in České Budějovice where the town leadership convened a public meeting to discuss the anti-Romani unrest that has occurred recently at the Máj housing estate there. Representatives of the municipality and the police answered questions, primarily about the situation in the locality, for three hours in an agitated atmosphere. Many of those attending complained that they feel unsafe at the Máj housing estate, where members of the Romani minority live.  full story

ROMEA association's open letter to the non-extremist anti-Romani demonstrators in the Czech Republic

Prague, 9.7.2013 21:51, (ROMEA) The people working at the ROMEA civic association have decided to reach out to those who have participated in the recent anti-Roma demonstrations and who are not extremists. The association hopes to start a dialogue with at least some of you, which might lead to specific proposals for solutions and therefore to greater calm in our coexistence.  full story

Analysis: Street violence committed by "ordinary people" with right-wing extremists bothers Czech public

České Budějovice/Prague, 9.7.2013 20:27, (ROMEA) The street violence sparked by right-wing extremists recently in the towns of Duchov and now twice in České Budějovice is starting to bother more people besides members of the Romani community and their supporters. The recent violence in České Budějovice followed a pattern similar to that of other towns, where any excuse has been enough to kick off crusades through the streets.  full story

Czech Govt Agency for Social Inclusion Director: Many towns risk anti-Roma unrest

Prague, 9.7.2013 4:45, (ROMEA) Martin Šimáček, the director of the Czech Government Agency for Social Inclusion, has answered questions in an interview for the online daily TÝDEN.CZ about recent events in České Budějovice. As TÝDEN.CZ reports, Šimáček believes these events represent a new type of racist aggression that does not target a "ghetto" and is participated in by many who do not consider themselves extremists. He also said he believes Mayor Juraj Thoma's idea to hold an upcoming public discussion of local issues in a sports arena is not a good one.  full story

South Bohemian Regional Romani Coordinator: We want good coexistence at the Máj housing estate

České Budějovice, 8.7.2013 17:21, (ROMEA) The demonstration on 29 June during which neo-Nazis and other extremists committed so much violence was faced by local Romani residents with a counter-action during which they called on their neighbors to work with them on resolving problems. Local Romani residents have a low opinion of those who committed the violence, but how surprising was it for them that their non-Romani neighbors were demonstrating against Roma as well?  full story

Former Czech Interior Ministers debate neo-Nazi activity

Prague, 8.7.2013 5:10, (ROMEA) Former Czech Interior Minister Martin Pecina, now a candidate for interior minister in the caretaker government of incoming Prime Minister Jiří Rusnok, wants to increase the number of police officers in the country and their salaries. He would like to augment police forces particularly in areas of the country experiencing security troubles.  full story