Civil society members of Czech Government Inter-ministerial Commission for Roma Community Affairs to protest in Nový Bydžov

The civil society members of the Czech Government Inter-ministerial Commission for Roma Community Affairs have expressed support for the Nový Bydžov is not alone! Initiative, which will demonstrate against neo-Nazism in Nový Bydžov on Saturday, 12 March. In their declaration, the civil society members strongly condemn the anti-Roma demonstration being convened by neo-Nazi organizations and criticize the local government of Nový Bydžov for its anti-Roma approach. News server Romea.cz publishes their declaration in full below.

Statement by the civil society members of the Czech Government Inter-ministerial Commission for Roma Community Affairs on the demonstrations in Nový Bydžov

The civil society members of the Czech Government Inter-ministerial Commission for Roma Community Affairs supports the “Nový Bydžov is not alone!“ call to action. The members strongly condemn the anti-Roma demonstration being organized for 12 March 2011 by the extreme-right Workers’ Social Justice Party (Dělnická strana sociální spravedlnosti – DSSS).

Thanks to the anti-Roma approach of the local government, public opinion is being negatively influenced to such an extent that it is escalating into intolerance and a mood of xenophobia. It is dangerous that the militant neo-Nazi initiatives of the National Resistance (Národní odpor – NO) and Autonomous Nationalists (Autonomní nacionalisté – AN) have affiliated themselves with this demonstration. The support of extreme-right parties, which are harshly scorned in developed countries, is tolerated in our country by most of society.

The civil society members of the Czech Government Inter-ministerial Commission for Roma Community Affairs will participate in the action on Saturday. By participating, the members are expressing their disagreement with the stance of the town leadership and with the DSSS demonstration.

In a democratic country such as the Czech Republic it is necessary that the Czech political representation publicly condemn this hate gathering. We therefore also endorse the open letter of the Nový Bydžov is not alone! Initiative, which calls on the Czech Government Human Rights Commissioner to participate in Saturday’s meeting.