Czech Human Rights Minister: We face a crisis fed by fear

"We are facing a crisis fed by fear. In the debate being conducted about the refugee crisis, security measures are being constantly emphasized, but not much is being said about the humanitarian aspects," Czech Human Rights Minister Jiří Dienstbier says.

"That is why I welcomed the 'Scholars against Fear and Indifference' petition, the first significant public activity to warn of the sharp rise in xenophobia in our society," the minister says. While he claims not to underestimate security measures, Dienstbier said he considers a common, pan-European solution to be an essential necessity in addition to consistent controls at the external borders of the Schengen area.

The minister has consulted on a series of debates being launched at universities on the topic of the refugee crisis. The first two debates in the series will be held today, 11 November, during which philosopher Václav Bělohradský and Dienstbier will discuss the issue at universities in Opava and Ostrava.