Coexistence with Romanies problem for most Czechs - poll

Most Czechs, or two thirds of them, view coexistence with Romanies as a problem and a half of Czechs resent the existence of Romany ghettoes in their area, according to a poll representatives of the Open Group society of sociologist Ivan Gabal presented to journalists today.

The poll showed that two fifths of respondents are displeased with Romany ghettos being located directly in their municipalities and nine in ten consider their existence a problem that should be resolved.

The poll was conducted by the Median agency last autumn on 2616 respondents over 18, most whom lived in regions in which there are many Romany ghettos.

"Many politicians rightly fear the public opinion. They are reluctant to get involved in the problem. It is necessary to highlight this dark spot," Gabal said.

He said the question of Romany ghettos would probably become a topic in the campaigns before the autumn regional and Senate elections in some regions.

Before the Senate elections in 2006, senior government Christian Democrat (KDU-CSL) chairman and Senator Jiri Cunek found himself in the media limelight due to his radical position on the problem.

Cunek, former mayor of the north Moravian town of Vsetin, had Romany families evicted from a dilapidated house in the centre of the town and moved them to the town’s outskirts and to other areas in Moravia.

Like in 1996, 66 percent of adult Czechs considered coexistence with Romanies a problem. In 1994 it was 73 percent of people.

While the position on Romanies has not changed, people’s approach to foreigners has improved. While 66 percent of Czechs resented an influx of foreigners to the Czech Republic 14 years ago, it is 49 percent at present.

However, Czechs do not consider coexistence with Romanies a priority problem. Most of them are mainly concerned about the economic and social situation, the state of health care and corruption, the poll showed.

Only 4 percent named the question as a priority problem.

Karel Cada, one of the authors of the poll, said, however, that though the percentage of people who consider coexistence with Romanies the main problem is marginal, it is still some 412,000 people who think so.

The figures are higher in regions with a greater concentration of Romany ghettos. For instance, more than a quarter of residents of the Usti nad Labem region, north Bohemia, and one fifth of people from the Moravian and Silesian region consider it a major problem.

According to nine in ten of respondents, Romanies themselves are to blame for the existence of ghettos. The same number of people said Romanies do not want to work, abuse social benefits and that their values are incompatible with the life of the majority society.

About 29 percent of respondents said the Romany ghettos were the consequence of a long-term unemployment, poverty, a shortage of opportunities and insufficient education. Two thirds of people blame the regional authorities, the government and local authorities for the appearance of the ghettos, according to the poll.

Most respondents, or 92 percent, think that Romanies themselves should start solving the situation and more than 80 percent think that municipalities, regions and the government should bear responsibility.

Two thirds of people say Romany children’s education may change the situation. Most of the respondents said, however, that the integration of Romanies with the majority society would take several generations. Less than one third of respondents said they could imagine a Romany minister in the Czech government within ten years.