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Czech Bishops, Ecumenical Council and Jewish Federation warn of rising right-wing extremism

22 October 2013
3 minute read

Representatives of several churches and religious societies are warning of rising right-wing extremism in the Czech Republic. The religious representatives are asking the public not to support those who offer measures based on nationalism or racism as the solution to solving problems in coexistence between the majority society and Romani people.

"Do not support those who offer such behavior, whether covertly or overtly," said Dominik Duka, chair of the Czech Bishops’ Conference, Joel Ruml, chair of the Ecumencial Council of Churches, and Efraim Sidon, Chief Rabbi of the Czech Republic and Prague. The statement has been issued just five days before elections to the lower house take place.

According to the religious leaders, many demonstrations have happened this year under the pretext of drawing attention to problems between the majority society and Romani people, events that have subsequently degenerated into violent clashes. The leaders claim that while previously such actions were attended all but exclusively by right-wing extremists and their sympathizers, this year quite a few citizens have joined these events who are otherwise not extremist hangers-on.  

"In this context it is very dangerous for racist tendencies to be legitimized as a component of serious political argumentation," the religious leaders write. While admitting there are problems with inter-ethnic coexistence in Czech society, they do not believe those problems will be solved by nationalism, racism, and violence. 

"From our historical experience we know that populism, accompanied by hateful manifestations of racism and xenophobia, leads to tragedies that sooner or later affect all of society," the religious leaders write. News server Romea.cz brings you their statement in full translation:

Dear Fellow Citizens,

Many demonstrations have taken place this year under the pretext of drawing attention to problems between the majority society and Romani people that have subsequently degenerated into violent clashes. Unlike similar events which previously were attended all but exclusively by right-wing extremists and their sympathizers, this year quite a few citizens have joined these events who are otherwise not extremist hangers-on.    

In this context it is very dangerous for racist tendencies to be legitimized as a component of serious political argumentation. This is a serious matter and the undersigned representatives of church and religious societies consider it their responsibility to express their view of it.

We do not intend to claim that problems with inter-ethnic coexistence – sometimes even very serious ones – do not exist. However, we decidedly reject solving those problems with nationalism, racism, and violence.

Romani people are citizens of this country like everyone else and from a religious point of view they are children of God just like everyone else. People have the tendency to generalize, but in this and other cases we must overcome this tendency, or at least do our best to overcome it.

During these efforts it can help us to realize that anyone who transfers responsibility for the actions and errors of individuals to a group as a whole, and who sees persecution of that whole group as the solution, is acting and thinking in direct opposition to the fundamental principles of Christianity and Judaism. We are turning to all of the people who belong to various churches and religious organizations, as well as to the broader public, with this appeal and request:  Do not join those who consider measures based in racism, in the application of the principle of collective blame, and in primitive, intolerant nationalism to be remedies and solutions, as this has nothing to do with real patriotism.     

Do not support those who offer such behavior, whether covertly or overtly. From our historical experience we know that populism, accompanied by hateful manifestations of racism and xenophobia, leads to tragedies that sooner or later affect all of society.

Dominik Duka                                
chair, Czech Bishops’ Conference

Joel Ruml
chair, Ecumenical Council of Churches

Efraim Sidon
Chief Rabbi of the Czech Republic and of Prague

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