Amnesty International: Czech Police did not protect Roma people in Nový Bydžov and used disproportionate force against counter-demonstrators

The Police of the Czech Republic failed to ensure protection for three Roma people who were attacked by supporters of the extreme right after a demonstration by the Workers’ Social Justice Party (Dělnická strana sociální spravedlnosti – DSSS) in Nový Bydžov on 12 March. Police also used disproportionate force against counter-demonstrators gathered under the rubric of the Nový Bydžov is not alone! Initiative, which did its best to block the DSSS march. Amnesty International is alarmed by the Police approach and calls for an investigation of the intervention.

These incidents are contributing to the creation of an atmosphere of enmity toward the Roma community in Nový Bydžov. The municipality is already famous for the discriminatory declarations made by representatives of its town hall. Amnesty International called on the Czech Republic to ensure the safety of the Roma communities in Nový Bydžov on 11 March.

Media reports say the DSSS march in Nový Bydžov were attended by around 500 supporters of the extreme right who shouted anti-Roma slogans. Some were wearing symbols of the banned Workers’ Party (Dělnická strana – DS). Last February the Supreme Administrative Court dissolved the party because its program and actions aimed to create negative sentiment about, fear of and hatred toward various groups.

According to the available information, around 200 counter-demonstrators, including local Roma people, gathered on 12 March in the town with the aim of blocking the march by right-wing demonstrators through Na Šarlejích street. Several Roma families live there. The anti-conflict team of the Police of the Czech Republic then did its best to convince the counter-demonstrators to free up the street so the DSSS could march down it. The counter-demonstrators did not obey the police order to disperse, and armed police force members then charged the counter-demonstrators on horses and beat them with truncheons. Three people suffered injury during that intervention. Representatives of Amnesty International were present at the scene of the intervention.

News server Romea.cz has reported that the police spokesperson said the intervention followed several calls to the counter-demonstrators to disperse. The counter-demonstrators were opposing a gathering that had been properly announced. However, Amnesty International considers the police intervention against the peaceful activists to have been disproportionate and believes it was unnecessary. International treaties on human rights by which the Czech Republic is bound require the authorities to respect and protect human rights. Among other things, the authorities must ensure that police forces not use disproportionate force.

Based on the events that have transpired, Amnesty International has called on Czech Interior Minister Radek John to order an immediate, independent, impartial and complete investigation of the intervention against the counter-demonstrators. Any investigation should thoroughly verify the reports of ill-treatment by police and the disproportionate use of force.