Human Rights Commissioner Petr Uhl reproached the Interior Ministry for not having taken any concrete steps towards controlling the two extremist groups. In July the government gave the Ministry a deadline for the end of October. By taking concrete action on Monday November 1st, the Ministry has taken action only one day late. Better late than never.

So, what kind of concrete steps are we talking about, what has the Ministry done to deal with the actions of these groups?

Well, late on Monday the Interior Ministry announced that they have sent letters to two groups - the Patriotic Front and the National Alliance - notifying them that they have broken the law. The government cannot just ban groups at will.

So, they have 30 days to declare (in writing) that they will stop all illegal acts. If they fail to do so, the government will ban the groups.

And specifically, what laws have the two groups broken?

Interior Minister Vaclav Grulich said on Monday that the groups are accused of "speeches which incite racial hatred and intolerance " Take the demonstrations that were held by the Patriotic Front last Thursday in Prague on Czech national day. Members of the National Front were there publicly declaring that the Holocaust did not take place, that it was fabricated - denying the genocide of the Jews and the existence of concentration camps. In the following excerpt, spokesman for the Patriotic Front Jan Skacel is speaking to journalists on Monday:

He is saying that the Patriotic Front does not think the Holocaust can be discussed freely. The Holocaust is only a Jewish and German problem and does not concern Czechs in the slightest.

And how have the two extreme right groups reacted to the letter from the Interior Ministry?

Well, Jan Skacal of the Patriotic Front has said that their group has not done anything illegal. If their group is banned, they will appeal the decision in court.

If this does not work, he said they would start another organisation or go into politics. So, the Ministry of the Interior expects a fight.