Commentary by Josef Sivák, Romani town councilor in Šluknov, Czech Republic

This past week I read here on news server Romea.cz an article on the topic of the “ghetto” in Šluknov. My statements on the issue of coexistence between the permanent residents of Šluknov and the newly-arriving Romani people were quoted there, but I cannot completely agree with the text that was published and would like to set the record straight. My responses as presented there are confusing and definitely do not do me justice – but let’s get to the heart of the matter.

Šluknov is the northernmost town in the Czech Republic, with cca 5 500 inhabitants including the outlying villages. Our region is surrounded by natural beauty and features a typical local style of architecture. Even though you wouldn’t think it from the media, there is no doubt that our region definitely has its charm and is an ideal place for cycling and hiking. I was born in Šluknov, and with the exception of the time I studied at college, I have lived here my entire life. Most of my family and friends live here.

In the most recent municipal elections I was elected town councilor as an independent candidate. I am the youngest town councilor and not a member of any political party.

I see the situation in town as follows: Romani people from all over the Šluknov foothills and from big towns in northern Bohemian are moving into our local housing estate. The local long-term residents connect a sharp increase in crime, compared to the first quarter of last year, with these new residents: Incidents of breaking and entering are up threefold, and robberies have doubled. In town several hold-ups have also occurred, which was definitely not usual here before. Romani people have participated in a certain amount of this crime, but no one can say to what extent. There are no statistics listing the nationality of burglars.

No one can claim that we are to blame for everything bad in town. Romani criminal activity still continues to have the same common feature it always has, and that is petty theft of iron and other metals or firewood. This kind of crime impacts our immediate neighbors, and we therefore cannot be surprised at their view of us. I am basing these comments on unofficial statements by members of the Czech Police on the solving of criminal offenses.

It is important to point out that the newly arriving Romani people are not to blame for all of the problems here. I am not trying to defend anyone here – speaking figuratively, I don’t like that childish “He did it, I had nothing to do with it” attitude, when I know a certain degree of blame rests with me as well. Go to the housing estate, look around you and talk with the locals. You can form your own opinion.

The problem with the newly arriving Romani people lies somewhere else entirely. We, the local Roma, have a fundamental advantage compared to them. Our parents worked in the same factory with the majority-society parents of the children who were our peers. We attended the same schools as those children and after we grew up, we even went to the same pubs. We know one another and we know what to expect from one another.

No one knows the people who have just moved in. They have brought the usual problems of a Romani community with them, problems that already existed here in Šluknov: A low level of education, insufficient professional experience (which is why there are so few jobs for which they might qualify), in some cases a lack of desire to work, and far too few positive role models. Add to this an unemployment rate of around 18% for the entire Šluknov foothills, a lack of investors, and non-Romani people’s negative experiences with Romani people. All of this contributes to a rise in anti-Roma sentiment.

Groups of users are turning up on social networking sites advocating for the active participation of “political parties” like the DSSS in addressing the internal affairs of the town! People are not ashamed to openly espouse the soulless ideals of the extreme right. They are probably not able to think through the results of their behavior! I know many of these people and I can’t find the right words with which to describe their posturing.

These thoughts of mine were incorrectly interpreted by the author of the article on the “Šluknov ghetto“. Maybe the point of that piece was to provoke me to give some feedback. In any event I feel an obligation for how the rest of the nation sees us here in Šluknov. I will be glad to receive your response.