Co-existence between Czechs, Romanies not improving-activists

Co-existence of Czech Romanies with the majority society is not improving, activists from some Romany organisations said today on the occasion of the International Roma Day celebrated on April 8.

On the contrary, anti-Gypsy tendencies have strengthened in the past period, activists from the Dzeno organisation and the Association of Romany Regional Representatives said.

Dzeno members said that Czech society tolerates politicians’ insulting statements about Romanies and events organised by extremists.

Last year Dzeno addressed an open letter to President Vaclav Klaus calling on him to contribute to the observance of human rights and the improvement of Romany situation in the Czech Republic.

The Association of Romany Representatives wants to address international institutions asking that they help the Czech Republic "abolish anti-Gypsy tendencies, racial discrimination and expressions of apartheid."

The organisation pointed out in its statement that the Czech Republic itself was unable to do so.

The International Roma Day will be celebrated in many Czech towns. In Prague Romany activists will stage an exhibition on racial violence and a candle demonstration.

Some 11,700 people declared themselves Romanies in the latest national census. According to estimates, some 250,000 Romanies live in the country.

An analysis has shown that one-third of them live in ghettos in which almost all adults are jobless and families are dependent on welfare benefits. Romany children are placed in schools for children with learning difficulties which closes a path for them to a higher education.

According to the analysis, nine in ten Czechs consider the existence of ghettos a problem that should be dealt with but they do not much believe that Romanies living there would soon be able to integrate in society.

Some one-fifth of people believe that it could take 25 years and more than a quarter think it will take 25-75 years.

However, almost a quarter of Czechs firmly believe that either more than 500 years would be required to resolve Romany problems and these problems would never be solved.