North Moravian Romanies warn against mass emigration

Romanies from north Moravia have sent an open letter to Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, warning against what they call impending mass emigration of Romanies due to the latest activities of far-right extremists.

In the letter, released to CTK, the Romanies call on Topolanek (Civic Democrats, ODS) to quickly solve the situation and pass legislation to outlaw extremist groups.

On Monday, about 500 extremists clashed with the police barring their march to Janov, a Romany-inhabited housing estate in Litvinov, north Bohemia.

"If no solution were sought or if the government took a lax approach to the problem, the Czech Republic could see mass emigration of Romanies. At present, many Romany families that feel endangered, are seriously considering leaving the country," Milan Ferenc, chairman of the Association of North Moravian Romanies, writes in the letter.

He says demonstration of extremists can occur at any place where a numerous Romany community lives.

"That is why we urge you not to be indifferent to the provocations that could peak in the mass killing of innocent people. It is sad and shameful that the threat comes not only from the neo-Nazis but also from some fellow citizens who side with the neo-Nazis," Ferenc writes.

The Litvinov brawl on Monday was probably the toughest clash of this kind since 2000 when riots accompanied the world financial institutions’ session in Prague.

Twelve people are prosecuted for suspected breach of the peace.

Interior Minister Ivan Langer previously proposed the outlawing of the ultra-right Workers’ Party (DS) that organised the Litvinov march.

"Excesses like those in Litvinov must be punished with very hard measures," Topolanek said in the wake of the incident.