Czech Govt Human Rights Commissioner meets with Romani activists

On 24 April 2012, the Czech Government Human Rights Commissioner, Mgr. Monika Šimůnková, met with leading Romani activists at Lichtenstein Palace in Prague. Civil society members of the Czech Government Inter-ministerial Commission for Roma Community Affairs, representatives of pro-Roma and Romani nonprofits, newly-created initiatives, experts in Romani social integration and others were invited to discuss the current position and situation of the Romani minority in the Czech Republic. Almost 60 people attended.

The central motif of the meeting was a discussion of the coexistence of the majority part of society with the Romani minority, in particular the question of how the atmosphere and position of Romani people has changed after the events in the Šluknov foothills last year. Other topics discussed in particular were recent events that have increased the anti-Romani atmosphere in Czech society and the role played by the mass media. The work of the Czech Government Agency for Social Inclusion in Roma Localities was also discussed from the perspective of Romani organizations based in those localities, as were the options available to the public administration to improve the social situation of Romani people in the Czech Republic in general.

The Czech Government Human Rights Commissioner presented her work in detail. Her colleagues from the Agency and the Office of the Czech Government Inter-ministerial Commission on Roma Community Affairs presented their work, emphasizing the fulfillment of key conceptual materials, in particular the Strategy for the Fight against Social Exclusion. The activity of the Czech Government Inter-minsterial Commission on Roma Community Affairs was presented by Vice-Chair Bc. Lenka Balogová.

The result of the meeting was that the Romani representatives present feel the need to improve communication with the majority part of society and for the current situation to change. The main purpose of the meeting was to create a space for constructive dialogue regarding current topics between the Czech Government Human Rights Commissioner and a broader group of Romani people than those represented on the Czech Government Inter-ministerial Commission on Roma Community Affairs. That expectation was fulfilled.