Harper indirectly indicates that Canada might reinstate visas

Canadian PM Stephen Harper indirectly indicated today that unless the problem of Czech asylum seekers is successfully resolved, his country may have to reinstate visas. Harper did not directly bring visas up, but in response to a question as to whether the reinstatement of visas was on the horizon, he said that Canada would have to respond somehow should the situation not improve. For the time being, the Czech Republic and Canada will seek ways to deter migration and asylum requests.

Harper met with his Czech colleague Mirek Topolánek (ODS) today in Prague to discuss Czech asylum seekers, most of whom are Roma. The outgoing Czech PM admitted that the number of asylum seekers from the Czech Republic was on the verge of violating one of the conditions necessary for visa-free relations. Topolánek believes the departure of some Czechs overseas is economically motivated. However, the Roma are now facing open attacks by neo-Nazi groups, led by the Workers Party (Dělnická strana). Moreover, many Roma do not feel secure in the Czech Republic as they have to face insults from politicians, most recently from the Mayor of Chomutov, Ivana Řápková (ODS).

During the first quarter of this year, 653 Czech citizens requested asylum in Canada. That is more than two-thirds the number of asylum seekers for all of last year, a total of 861 persons. During the first three months of this year, 34 Czech citizens have been successfully awarded asylum. According to figures previously released by the Canadian Embassy in Prague, Canada has granted asylum to a total of 118 Czech citizens this year and last.

A flood of asylum-seekers a decade ago led to Canada introducing visas for Czech citizens in October 1997. The visa requirement was lifted in October 2007. So far this year Canadian diplomats have not raised the possibility that the visa requirement might be reinstated.