Council of Europe is disturbed by anti-Roma incidents in the Czech Republic

Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks is disturbed by the recent anti-Romani incidents in the Czech Republic. In a statement released today, Muižnieks said the Czech authorities must forcefully indicate that they will not tolerate any such manifestations of hatred.

"During the past few months I have been following the organized, repeated anti-Romani demonstrations in České Budějovice and Duchcov with great uneasiness," Muižnieks said. He also welcomed "the responses of the Czech authorities against such incidents." 

The Commissioner called on "the mayors of these towns and the police in particular to take all necessary steps to prevent further violence against Romani people." The Council of Europe monitors the upholding of human rights in Europe.

The Commissioner believes it is also crucial that these incidents be investigated and the perpetrators of them prosecuted. "The authorities must forcefully indicate that they will not tolerate any manifestations of hatred," Muižnieks said.

The Council of Europe has long criticized the position of the Romani minority in the Czech Republic. Last February Muižnieks issued a report in which he called on the Czech Republic to do more to improve the position of Romani people. 

The report said the segregation of Romani children in the schools remains a serious problem. The Commissioner also said Romani people continue to be the most frequent victims of racially motivated violence in the Czech Republic.