CzechRep makes little progress in Romanies' integration - report

The Czech Republic has not made much progress in the integration of Romanies and the improvement of their situation in the past two years as it was placed fourth among the nine Central and East European countries that joined "The Decade of Roma Inclusion" programme in 2005, it ensues from the Decade’s assessment by NGOs released today.

The Czech Republic received 1.76 points from the maximum of four. It was mostly criticised for poor results in the education of Romanies.

The Decade of Roma Inclusion is an international programme to improve the situation of Romanies, in which Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia and Slovakia. The programme was kicked off two years ago and will continue until 2015.

In the Czech Republic, the project focuses on the improvement of Romanies’s education, employment, housing and health.
The programme has been initiated by the World Bank and the Open Society Institute (OSI).

"We are working on some things. However, the Czech Republic will probably fail most of all in the communication between ministries and local self-governments," said Gabina Hrabanova from the Athinganoi association that participated in the assessment.

The NGOs say particularmunicipalities should work out their own plans of Romany integration.

The Czech Republic has the worst results in the Romanies’ education where it ended last but one, followed by Macedonia only.
"Though we have Romany assistants at primary schools and preparatory classes, the segregation level is still high. Many Romany children end up in special schools without a real chance to achieve further education and professional career," said Hrabanova.
The Czech Republic was also in the second half of the standings in Romanies’ employment, in their access to health care and in anti-discriminatory measures as the country still lacks the anti-discrimination law.

The assessment report says that the Czech state relies rather on NGOs to solve the employment problems by preparing re-training programmes for Romanies to increase their chances on the labour market.

The report also criticised the Czech Republic for the absence of prevention programmes for Romanies in health care. It also pointed out that there is no social housing the Czech Republic.

The Czech Republic is the best only in the preparation of action plans. However, the NGOa recommend that plans for all four areas – education, housing, employment and health care – be drafted.

Hungary was the most successful country in the programme fulfilment during the first two years, followed by Bulgaria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Croatia, while Macedonia was placed last.