skinheads

Stefan Nikolic, his wife Jovanka, and their son. (PHOTO: http://www.blic.rs)
Serbia: Skinheads try to abduct fair-skinned child from Romani family
Novi Sad, Serbia, 23.10.2013 17:50, (ROMEA) On 22 October news server Blic.rs reported that a group of men described as skinheads almost succeeded in abducting a two-year-old child last Saturday evening from in front of his home on Šafarikova Street in Novi Sad just because the child's skin was fairer than that of his father, Stefan Nikolić. The men accused Nikolić, who is of Romani nationality, of having stolen the child from its biological parents. full story
Commentary: Experts and extremists at Czech Television
Prague, 1.9.2013 22:21, (ROMEA) At public broadcaster Czech Television (ČT), anyone can be a sociologist. All it takes is to blame everything on the "inadaptables." full story
Czech expert says right-wing extremists will fail at the polls
Prague, 30.8.2013 19:33, (ROMEA) The expectations of right-wing extremists last weekend were not fulfilled. According to police estimates, only 2 000 people total attended the anti-Roma demonstrations and marches convened by the movement in České Budějovice, Duchcov, Jičín, Ostrava and Plzeň. full story
Czech TV journalist of Romani origin: I was threatened during Saturday's demonstration
Prague, 28.8.2013 17:41, (ROMEA) On Saturday, 24 August, I had to once again set out to cover one of the dozens of demonstrations that have been organized by the DSSS in this country. From past experience, I knew what to expect. full story
Hundreds protest Czech Television for featuring "expert" who defended violent racists
Prague, 26.8.2013 21:53, (ROMEA) On Saturday, 24 August, the public broadcaster Czech Television included a populist-tinged report about that day's anti-Roma march in Ostrava as part of its "News in the Regions" program (Události v regionech). The program invited a Mr Jiří Siostrzonek to comment, incorrectly identifying him as a sociologist studying the Romani issue. full story
Czech Republic: Splinter DSSS faction plans 13 more anti-Romani events by year's end
Prague, 24.7.2013 20:48, (ROMEA) All of the right-wing extremists in the Czech Republic are currently feeling the need for publicity because of the upcoming elections next year (some of which may take place later this year). Now we can expect more violent election-related events than ever before because the Workers' Social Justice Party (Dělnická strana sociální spravedlnosti - DSSS) has split into two groups. full story
Greece: Number of racist attacks rising
Athens, Greece, 22.7.2013 17:04, (ROMEA) Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports that a refugee named Omar Diallo suffered injuries during a recent attack on the street in Athens that required several stitches. Back in his home country of Guinea the 28-year-old was used to violence, but the hostile racism he has encountered in a Greece beset by crisis is a significant shock for him. full story
Fedor Gál: Just one spark and we have a pogrom - Roma are the first to be attacked
Prague, 17.7.2013 21:23, (ROMEA) During the recent anti-Roma demonstrations at the Máj housing estate in České Budějovice, many of those in attendance have also protested being labeled "racists" or "radicals". Sociologist Fedor Gál explains what racism is and isn't and what we should ask Romani people about. "When someone brings up the anti-Romani topic because he wants to keep his position of power, then that person is himself a criminal, a deviant," Gál said in an interview for the Czech daily Mf DNES. full story
Czech Police detain dozens of anti-Roma demonstrators in České Budějovice for a third Saturday in a row
České Budějovice, 15.7.2013 3:29, (ROMEA) On Saturday, 13 July, an anti-Roma assembly at the Máj housing estate in České Budějovice resulted in police officers detaining about 60 protestors who refused to leave the housing estate despite police orders to do so. About 300 people participated in the demonstration, but the police outnumbered them and managed to prevent them from moving into the area of the housing estate where the Romani community resides. full storyCzech Republic: Third person charged in anti-Roma protests, more violence expected this coming Saturday
České Budějovice, 11.7.2013 17:56, (ROMEA) A third person has been charged in connection with the recent anti-Romani protests in České Budějovice. Detectives say the 20-year-old man assaulted a police officer on Saturday, 6 July with a glass bottle and is suspected of committing violence against a public official. full story
Czech Republic: First two charges filed over violence in České Budějovice, experts fear more violence ahead
České Budějovice/Praha, 11.7.2013 3:04, (ROMEA) Two men who participated in recent unannounced demonstrations at the Máj housing estate have been delivered a ruling informing them that criminal proceedings have begun against them, the Czech Police report on their website. Experts are warning against violence linked with right-wing extremists who are organizing demonstrations there similar to those that have happened in North Bohemia in previous years. full story
Czech Republic: Hundreds attend meeting about anti-Roma unrest in České Budějovice
České Budějovice, 9.7.2013 22:54, (ROMEA) Several hundred people gathered today in a sports hall in České Budějovice where the town leadership convened a public meeting to discuss the anti-Romani unrest that has occurred recently at the Máj housing estate there. Representatives of the municipality and the police answered questions, primarily about the situation in the locality, for three hours in an agitated atmosphere. Many of those attending complained that they feel unsafe at the Máj housing estate, where members of the Romani minority live. full story
ROMEA association's open letter to the non-extremist anti-Romani demonstrators in the Czech Republic
Prague, 9.7.2013 21:51, (ROMEA) The people working at the ROMEA civic association have decided to reach out to those who have participated in the recent anti-Roma demonstrations and who are not extremists. The association hopes to start a dialogue with at least some of you, which might lead to specific proposals for solutions and therefore to greater calm in our coexistence. full story
South Bohemian Regional Romani Coordinator: We want good coexistence at the Máj housing estate
České Budějovice, 8.7.2013 17:21, (ROMEA) The demonstration on 29 June during which neo-Nazis and other extremists committed so much violence was faced by local Romani residents with a counter-action during which they called on their neighbors to work with them on resolving problems. Local Romani residents have a low opinion of those who committed the violence, but how surprising was it for them that their non-Romani neighbors were demonstrating against Roma as well? full story
Former Czech Interior Ministers debate neo-Nazi activity
Prague, 8.7.2013 5:10, (ROMEA) Former Czech Interior Minister Martin Pecina, now a candidate for interior minister in the caretaker government of incoming Prime Minister Jiří Rusnok, wants to increase the number of police officers in the country and their salaries. He would like to augment police forces particularly in areas of the country experiencing security troubles. full story
Czech political scientist: "People feel the extremists are the only ones interested in them"
Prague, 3.7.2013 22:52, (ROMEA) Miroslav Mareš, a political scientist and specialist on extremism, says that government inaction and failure to resolve the security situation is responsible for the current anti-Romani demonstrations in České Budějovice and other towns throughout the Czech Republic. "People feel the extremists are the only ones interested in them," Mareš told the on-line daily TÝDEN.CZ. News server Romea.cz presents that interview in full translation: full story
Czech Police: Demonstrators meant us when they chanted "black swine"
České Budějovice, 2.7.2013 5:10, (ROMEA) Radomír Heřman, the director of the South Bohemian Regional Police, held a press conference on 1 July 2013 regarding the police intervention required on 29 June when a demonstration spun out of control and turned into an attempted pogrom against Romani people in České Budějovice. Heřman seemingly took up the role of attorney for the racists who gathered there last Saturday, claiming that what they had been shouting had no racist subtext. full story
videoCzech Republic: Neo-Nazis attempt pogrom on Roma, commit arson, nine injured, 28 arrests
České Budějovice, 29.6.2013 20:19, (ROMEA) Roughly 200 people, most of them Romani, gathered after 13:00 CET today at the Máj housing estate in České Budějovice where the assembly and cultural program "Čikhatar Het/Z bahna ven II" ("Out of the Mud II") was held by the Konexe civic association together with the local Romani community. The gathering was in response to an anti-Romani demonstration that started at 16:00 CET on Přemysl Otakar II Square and was attended by about 500 people. full storyCzech Republic: Suspended sentences for 2011 attack on Roma
Prague, 28.6.2013 2:26, (ROMEA) Of the five aggressive youths who brutally beat up two Romani people in Prague two years ago, three have been given suspended sentences and two will not be punished for their involvement at all. The victims were provided legal aid by the In IUSTITIA association, and without their involvement the case might never have even made it before a court, since police downplayed the severity of the assault from the beginning. full story