Czech MPs on three lower house subcommittees endorse a working definition of antigypsyism
Members of three subcommittees in the Czech lower house have endorsed a working definition of antigypsyism, or attitudes held against Romani people. The term will be understood to describe the kind of behavior and speech that leads to the exclusion or marginalization of Romani people and to physical violence against them.
The lawmakers adopted a resolution to that effect ahead of International Roma Day on 8 April. Czech MP Eva Decroix, chair of the Subcommittee for Democracy and Human Rights Abroad, informed the Czech News Agency (ČTK) of that fact.
The non-binding, working definition had already been supported in February by the Committee for Human Rights of the Czech Senate. Prior to that, the definition was adopted by the Czech Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs.
The Czech Government itself is meant to subsequently adopt the same definition. “The main aim is to define and establish that it is neither possible nor proper to show hatred, prejudice or discrimination against somebody on the basis of their membership in an ethnic minority and to use the word ‘gypsy’ as a term of abuse,” Decroix told ČTK.
“We’re not saying that Romani people can’t refer to themselves as ‘Gypsies’, but we are trying to prevent that word from being abused as a bad name,” Decroix explained. Czech Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs Lucie Fuková said that endorsement of the internationally-recognized definition of this term for anti-Romani attitudes is not just about being able to cross one of the tasks in the Strategy for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation off of the list, nor is it mere submission to pressure from human rights institutions, but is a message from Czech politicians, female and male, that Romani people are considered their equal partners and that they do not tolerate discrimination, hateful behavior and speech, racism or xenophobia towards Roma.
“Romani people have long waited for clear recognition of the fact that discrimination exists in the Czech Republic and that it affects most Romani people here, including those who are not excluded from society in terms of where they live. Specifically, what awaits us soon is, for example, the inclusion of historical and present-day Romani-related subject matter in the curricula of the schools as a concrete step toward the raising of a more tolerant society. That avenue will pay off and is appropriate for all of us. I am convinced, unfortunately, that the current mutual distrust among people and their lack of trust in institutions stems from latent, long-rooted xenophobia and an unwillingness to come together to participate in common solutions about Romani people in particular,” Fuková told news server Romea.cz, adding that the end of speaking about Romani people without Romani people is at hand.
The definition of antigypsyism
“Antigypsyism, i.e., discrimination against Romani people, is the behavior and statements of individuals as well as institutional practices and strategies resulting in the exclusion or marginalization of Romani people, in the devaluation of the Romani culture and lifestyle, or in hate speech or physical violence against Romani people and other groups considered ‘Gypsies’ and their individual members. Romani people are stigmatized for this reason, or were targeted for persecution during the Nazi era or even today. Because of this discrimination, Romani people are treated as an allegedly divergent, foreign group and are associated with many biased ideas and insulting stereotypes which in and of themselves represent a specific form of racism.”
“Antigypsyism, i.e., discrimination against Romani people, is the behavior and statements of individuals as well as institutional practices and strategies resulting in the exclusion or marginalization of Romani people, in the devaluation of the Romani culture and lifestyle, or in hate speech or physical violence against Romani people and other groups considered ‘Gypsies’ and their individual members. Romani people are stigmatized for this reason, or were targeted for persecution during the Nazi era or even today,” reads the resolution adopted by the members of the lower house.
According to Czech MP Decroix, there should be two impacts of this definition in practice. First, she said, it makes it possible to discuss the fact that regard for Romani people has apparently not been established in society today.
“This will make it possible to discuss the fact that hatred toward anybody in society is neither proper nor possible,” the lawmaker added. Second, the resolution is of symbolic significance.
“This means yes, we want members of this ethnic minority to be treated on the basis that they are equal to the rest of us so they don’t feel like second-class citizens,” Decroix said. “It’s not correct to believe that because somebody is Romani, then he or she automatically steals, or doesn’t want to work and wants to live off of welfare.”
“It’s not possible to tar everybody with the same brush,” said Decroix. The meeting was also attended by MPs representing the Subcommittee on National Minorities and the Subcommittee for the Defense of Human Rights.
According to Decroix, the negotiations were constructive and included members of the parties in the coalition government and members of the opposition. The definition of antigypsyism as a form of racism vis-à-vis the Roma was set forth in 2020 by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
That organization called on the Czech Republic, as one of its members, to adopt the definition and use it in practice. The formulation is not legally binding.
What can be considered manifestations of antigypsyism
Denying or distorting the genocide or the persecution of Romani people.
Approving of the genocide of Romani people.
Committing, excusing or inciting violence against communities of Roma, or against individuals of Romani origin, or destroying the property of Romani people.
The coerced or forced sterilization of Romani people and the use of mental or physical violence against them.
Maintaining and supporting biased stereotypes about Romani people.
Accusing Romani people of causing actual or perceived problems of a cultural, economic, medical, political or societal nature and engaging in hate speech against them.
Disseminating the stereotype that Romani people tend to commit criminal behavior.
Using the word “Gypsy” as a term of abuse.
Approving or supporting mechanisms excluding Romani people on the basis of racially discriminatory assumptions, such as excluding Romani children from mainstream schools, or institutional procedures and political measures leading to communities of Roma being segregated away from the rest of society.
Engaging in political measures which arbitrarily and/or discriminatorily displace communities of Roma and their individual members without any basis in law, or creating the conditions to facilitate their displacement.
Ascribing collective responsibility for the actual or perceived behavior of individuals from Romani communities to all Roma.
Disseminating hatred against communities of Roma through any format, for example, in the media, including the Internet and social media.
