Most Roma welcome the appointment of Michael Kocáb as minister

Today at Prague Castle, Czech President Václav Klaus named the new members of the coalition government of Czech PM Mirek Topolánek (ODS). In addition to the four new ministers Daniela Filipiová (ODS), Petr Bendl (ODS), Michael Kocáb (for the Greens) and Pavel Svoboda (for KDU-ČSL), Klaus appointed, at Topolánek’s request, Czech Defense Minister Vlasta Parkanová (KDU-ČSL) as Deputy Prime Minister and Cyril Svoboda (KDU-ČSL), previously Minister without portfolio, to the post of Minister for Regional Development. Members of the Roma community contacted by Romea.cz evaluated Kocáb’s appointment as positive.

According to those with whom we spoke, when addressing issues of concern to Roma, Kocáb should focus primarily on reviving the project of the Agency for Social Inclusion in Roma localities. Cyril Koky, coordinator for Roma affairs and the integration of foreigners in the Central Bohemian region, said, "He should revive the languishing project of the Government Agency for Social Inclusion, which is part of the government’s declaration."

David Beňák, head of the Department of Social Affairs and Health in Prague 14, told us the new minister should focus in particular on two areas: "On the question of resolving the current situation of Roma in the Czech Republic in selected socially excluded locations, and on institutionalizing a stable approach to these matters at a statewide level, since it has been demonstrated that the current system, i.e., the Czech Government Council for Roma Community Affairs in combination with the ministries and the new Agency, does not function very well at all. In my opinion the current system lacks strength, efficiency, and effectiveness."

The civic association Slovo 21 welcomes Kocáb’s appointment: "We very much welcome the appointment of Michael Kocáb as the new Minister for Human Rights due to his experience in politics and his relationship to minorities of all kinds." In the opinion of activists from Slovo 21, Kocab should try to win a stronger position for the Minister for Human Rights and Minorities in the cabinet itself. "He should focus on implementing the adoption of the Anti-Discrimination Act, on operating and maintaining the Agency for Social Inclusion, on improving financing of the non-governmental sector and on improving communication with that sector. In addition to the topic of the Roma, with which he is already familiar, the new minister should also devote a great deal of attention to the issue of integrating foreigners, which is currently very pressing. The state has yet to devote sufficient attention to this issue," they say.

Karel Holomek welcomes Kocáb’s appointment but does not overestimate it: "I know Michael Kocáb from the days when he was an advisor to President Havel. In those days he organized a rather nice, successful meeting of Roma representatives at the Villa Amálie. He will certainly be able to do the same as a minister – under different conditions, perhaps, but he can programmatically impact what is actually put into practice." As far as the Roma are concerned, Holomek says the minister should revise the existing programs for integrating Roma into society and the measures for preventing groups from being excluded (the Agency) and connect those programs to the activities of the government at national, regional and local level should they be recognized as correct and justified. "He should do this in a brief, professionally organized discussion with a small circle of experts," Karel Holomek says. "I would focus on work in those municipalities where the problem is – it is necessary to consider what specifically must be done and how. Consistency and monitoring of the steps implemented will be decisive," Holomek advises the new minister.

Gejza Horvát, editor of the weekly Romano hangos, told the daily Právo, "He can repair the ministry’s name; under Ms Stehlíková its reputation lapsed and it lost credibility." Horvát believes that if the new minister takes up the problems of the Roma as honestly as he has his music, there is a chance for him to make progress.

Jozef Baláž, advisor on Roma affairs to outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Jiří Čunek, believes Kocáb will have a problem in that he has never been involved in municipal-level politics. He sees the fact that the new minister is a musician as his currency. "He certainly has a relationship to the Roma, because we have a very interesting culture and he is an artist. He can achieve something in the areas of culture and nationhood," Baláž told Novinky.cz , but did not want to evaluate Kocáb further in the role of Human Rights Minister. "I do not know Mr Kocáb personally and the only information I have about him is from the media. I know journalists cannot be believed, whether they write nice or embarrassing things about a politician," Baláž told Romea.cz. "I hope he will be able to focus on what he is familiar with. In my opinion, that would probably be matters concerning Roma identity, culture, etc. However, the societal demand at this moment is something completely different. The Czech Republic has a very significant problem and that is the social exclusion of Roma. The topic of social exclusion will be essential for the new minister," Jozef Baláž said.

Ivan Veselý, Vice-Chair of the Government Council for Roma Community Affairs, is skeptical. "He cannot intervene in any fundamental way. He has no political power and there is no will here to redesign the system," Veselý said.

Michael Kocáb has indicated that his preliminary priorities are primarily the Anti-Discrimination Law, especially in relation to the current economic crisis, and Roma issues. "This matter has not been addressed for 700 years and I would be a great amateur if I were to indicate what should be done with it now. It has to be studied," Kocáb said. "I was appointed today and I will be in office as of Monday. I will be studying materials all weekend," Kocáb told the press.

Kocáb also reminded journalists that his term in office is short and evidently will not be longer than a year and a half. "I am in the situation of seeing through Ms Stehlíková’s agenda. She prepared it, and today, for example, the law on public benefit organizations should be finalized," the new minister said. He stressed that he wants to fully cooperate with the Czech Parliament, as human rights are a matter that transcends party lines.

Topolánek promised to reconstruct the cabinet four months ago after the coalition’s overwhelming loss in the regional and Senate elections. He expects the changes to revive the cabinet and give it a new dynamic. The dismissed ministers are leaving after two years of work.

Senator Filipiová replaced Czech Health Minister Tomáš Julínek (ODS), while former Central Bohemian Governor Petr Bendl takes over the Transport Ministry from Aleš Řebíček (ODS).

KDU-ČSL ministers underwent the most disruption due to the departure of part chair Jiří Čunek from the posts of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development. Parkanová has taken up the Deputy Prime Minister post; Cyril Svoboda will take on the Ministry for Regional Development. Diplomat Pavel Svoboda will become Minister without Portfolio and head of the Government Legislative Council.