Czech government appoints new members to its “Roma” council

The Czech Government has approved a proposal to appoint the members of its new Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs. The following people have been appointed to represent civil society on the Council:

Bc. Cyril Koky, Regional Coordinator for Roma Affairs, Central Bohemian Region

Bc. Lýdia Poláčková, Roma Advisor, City of Ostrava

Jiřina Bradová, Regional Coordinator for Roma Affairs, Zlín Region

Ing. Karel Holomek, chair, the Society of Roma in Moravia

Mgr. David Beňák, head of the Prague 14 Department of Social Affairs and Health

Lenka Kurová of the Začít spolu (“Starting Together”) civic association

PHDr. Renata Köttnerová, Regional Coordinator for Roma Affairs, Olomouc Region

Ing. Jozef Holek, Regional Coordinator for Roma Affairs, Liberec Region

David Dudáš, Metropolitan Council of the Orthodox Church for Roma Pastoral Affairs

Roman Slivka, Regional Coordinator for Roma Affairs, South Bohemian Region

Štefan Gabčo, People in Need

Marta Valková, Regional Coordinator for Roma Affairs, Pardubice Region

Lenka Balogová, Regional Coordinator for Roma Affairs, Ústí nad Labem Region

Božena Fílová, Coordinator for Roma Affairs, City of Prague

Mgr. Jožka Baláž, Roma Advisor to the Municipality of Bruntál

Mgr. Jarmila Balážová, ROMEA civic association

The government approved the Council’s new statutes at the end of March, including many fundamental changes to the government’s view of Roma integration. The change is based on the conviction that the successful integration of Roma into society is essential from the point of view of the continuing decline of the country’s socially excluded Roma communities and the disappointing position they have occupied in Czech society for quite some time. This minority is still not accepted by the majority society and faces a great deal of discrimination.

Part of the change in the general societal view of this topic is reflected in the members appointed to the Council, which is now a ministerial-level body. The Czech Prime Minister will chair the Council, which includes government ministers and deputy ministers. The change is meant to significantly impact the implementation of the government’s Concept for Roma Integration 2010-2013 and to emphasize the integration of Roma overall as part of government policy at the highest level. The name of the council has also been changed to the “Council for Roma Minority Affairs”.

Since 1997, the council has been the only inter-ministerial body with the aim of unifying the activities of government ministries vis-?-vis Roma minority integration. The council initiates systemic changes to remove obstacles preventing the Roma minority from living with full dignity in the Czech Republic. The council also comments on draft legislation and strategic and conceptual documents.