Prague / Czech Rep. (RNC Agency) 27.09.1997

A private TV corporation report about a Czech Roma family in Canada has strained the relationship between both countries to the limit. The emigrants who receive political asylum and social benifits in the distant country reported about conditions like in p aradise and recommended their country fellowmen to leave racist Czechia. Now Canada considers to end their generosity and tightening up the liberality by introducing visa stipulation for Czechia.

Since the broadcast, thousands of Roma have seriously thought about leaving Czechia. According to present informations, 370 Roma requested for asylum in Agust. 45 were sent back by Canadian authorities. The mass exodus was leading to overdue discussion abo ut the Roma problem, as the cohabitation with the ‘‘white’’ majority and the ‘‘black’’ Roma minority is anything but harmonious.

Nobody knows exactly how many Roma are living in Czechia. Official sources talk about 300.000. The real figure might be much higher. The preponderating mayority originates from Slovak. The communist regime tried to solve the problem by depriving the tradit ional lifestyle of the Roma and prohibiting their wanderings. They were compensated with privileges such as priority in obtaining appartments. In lager towns are bigger Roma settlements, resembling ghettos, symbolising a failed policy.

Todays Roma unemployment is up to 70 % in Czechia, the criminal rate is more than average, - although nobody officially admits,- on top of this is a completly different lifestyle. Hence: The attidude of the ‘‘white’’ against the Roma is mostly marked by mi strust, suspicion but also fear and racism.

The Czechian liberal-conservativ government has relied on the pricipal of citizenship for long time and refused to make a difference between the citizens. But in practice, the Roma-kids, who often do not speak the Czech lanuage are removed into special sch ools where again they are isolated. The national council has tried break this vicious circle. Its chairman, the minister without protfollio, Mr. Pavel Bratinka, presented a ‘‘report to the situation of the Roma in Czechia’’. The report ascertains that ther e is a Roma problem in Czechia and proposes education as a solution. Specialists evaluate this report as the first overdue step in the right direction. The government has rejected this documentry up to now.