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Romany problems need single solution in whole CzechRep - Cunek

22 October 2012
2 minute read

The problems with housing, education and employment of Czech Romanies can be solved, but need to be dealt with in the same way throughout the country by municipalities that would get state subsidies, Czech Local Development Minister Jiri Cunek said today.

Cunek (Christian Democrats, KDU-CSL) told a conference on regional politics that these problems are a long-term task and their solution will require changes in some laws.

A plan needs to be worked out that would guarantee that towns proceed in the same way on key points, he said.

If a town wanted to draw state subsidies for problems related to Romanies, it would have to meet a number of criteria, Cunek pointed out.

The criteria should help Romany children learn Czech well before entering school and pass the elementary school, and guarantee that no citizens would rely on social benefits for a long time.

Cunek said tens to hundreds of families that abuse the Czech welfare system needed such special rules. He added that a generation that has not ever seen their parents working has grown up since the 1990s in these families.

Cunek’s ministry has recently worked out a document on how to deal with the situation of Czech Romanies.

According to the plan, Romanies would be divided into three groups, the most problematic of which would be accommodated in hostels with a tougher regime and supervision.

However, Romany activists criticised the plan.

Ivan Vesely, deputy head of the Government Council for Romany Affairs, said the plan resembled the methods of the Bolsheviks and the Nazi-sponsored Slovak state, functioning during World War Two.

Vesely said it was unacceptable to distinguish between people based on race. He added that it reminds many Romanies of the Holocaust.

But Cunek’s aide Josef Balaz who is the author of the document said it was misunderstood.

Balaz said it was necessary to deal with Romanies individually.

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