Search
1.10.2023
NEWS

HISTORY

TRADITIONS, CULTURE

PERSONALITIES

USEFUL CONTACTS

PHOTOS OF THE ROMA

VARIOUS

RADIO PRAGUE










Česky English Deutsch Francais
Police clamp down on neo-Nazi protesters around the country
15-06-2009 - Daniela Lazarova
A rise in political extremism in the Czech Republic has been at the centre of media attention in recent weeks, and the past weekend was no exception. In the wake of the biggest ever police operation against the country’s ultra-right groups, far-right radicals took to the streets in a number of towns and cities to protest against the arrest of ten neo-Nazis.

Photo: CTK Expecting a backlash from far-right supporters riot units were out in force in a number of towns where neo-Nazis are known to congregate. In Most, north of Prague, they dispersed an illegal protest march, detaining 14 people in the process. In Zlín they arrested several more as extremists clashed with anarchists. In Havlíčkův Brod, Mladá Boleslav and Jablonec nad Nisou it was the same story - protesters were detained for wearing Nazi symbols, for making the Hitler salute or shouting race-hate slogans. After months of turning a blind eye to these violations of the law, the police are cracking down on offenders with unexpected force. Interior Minister Martin Pecina told journalists over the weekend that he was determined to see the far-right Workers’ Party outlawed before the caretaker government’s short term in office ends.

Photo: CTK “The proposal to have the Workers’ Party outlawed should be ready for approval by the end of August – and we expect the Supreme Administrative Court to get it by mid-September”.

The ten extremists arrested in Tuesday’s police raids have all been charged with promoting a movement aimed at suppressing rights and freedoms. If found guilty, they face up to eight years in prison. Those detained over the weekend could face similar charges. On taking office in May, Interim Prime Minister Jan Fischer said the fight against extremism would be one of his top priorities – and he is clearly standing by his word, even though it means that his family and that of Interior Minister Martin Pecina have been given police protection. The prime minister is believed to be a potential target not just because he ordered the crack-down on extremists, but because of his Jewish origin. Attending Saturday’s commemorative gathering in memory of the Lidice massacre by the Nazis, the prime minister said he was greatly disturbed by what is happening in society:

Photo: CTK “I hear strange voices of late, from unexpected quarters and I read disturbing things. You know this is how it all began [in Germany] and Lidice is a reminder of how it could end.”

Paradoxically it emerged right there that right-wing extremism is not the only problem. The commemorative ceremony attended by the country’s top officials was unexpectedly disrupted by left-wing extremists, who unfurled a banner with the image of the Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara and the flag of the recently outlawed Communist Youth Union. Unlike in the case of far-right activists, the police seemed uncertain what to do – and failed to take action against the intruders.

Amidst the rise in extremism one thing is positive – the need to deal with the problem has united politicians on this issue at least, and the country’s interim prime minister is showing that he is far from the wimp many believed him to be.



Related articles
DateTitleFeature
01.08.2017Romany rapper Radek Banga to receive František Kriegel Award for civic courageNews
17.11.2013Ring-wing extremists, opponents gather in PragueNews
19.10.2013Over 300 take part in anti-Roma demonstration in OstravaNews
04.07.2013České Budějovice braces for more violence as new anti-Roma demo calledNews
07.10.2012Right-wing extremists demonstrate in ÚstíNews
27.09.2012Jakub Polák, doyen of the Czech anarchist scene, dies aged 60News
07.03.2012Study warns of possible new attacks against Roma as neo-Nazi movement gains tractionNews
14.02.2012Police crack down on women’s branch of Czech neo-Nazi movementNews
16.08.2011Hardbass – we will bring Heil Hitler to your homeNews
All related articles
Article
Format for printing
Send as e-mail

Also in section "News"
31.10.19  Roma children’s choir Chavorenge and members of the Czech Philharmonic to perform in UK
13.09.19  Archaeologists discover graves of Roma persecuted during WWII in Lety camp
02.06.19  Ida Kelarová and her Romany children’s choir Chavorenge
29.05.19  Two Roma activists to receive Charter 77’s František Kriegel Award
07.04.19  Romany music from the Czech Republic
13.03.19  Czech singer Věra Bílá, dubbed the Ella Fitzgerald of Gypsy music, dies days before her comeback tour
21.11.18  Roma social worker from Ostrava listed on BBC 100 Women list
12.10.18  Why are there so few Roma politicians?
17.09.18  Virtuoso pianist Tomáš Kačo: When I tell somebody I’m a Gypsy in the US, they’re excited about it
06.06.18  Study indicates ethnic hate is contagious
Archive of the section

Most popular articles
3153053   26.02.00 Some Basic Information about the Roma Population in the Czech Republic
290319   27.01.05 The 'Devouring': A look at the Romani Holocaust
184516   26.02.00 The History and Origin of the Roma
141463   26.02.02 The Language of the Roma
107706   13.06.00 The History of the Roma Minority in the Czech Republic
105260   26.02.00 The Traditional Family Life of the Czech Roma
103929   02.06.03 The Roma Holocaust
88238    World famous Roma Personalities
88174   21.02.04 Extreme right activists demonstrate for skinhead in jail
74801    Photographs by Romani Children
Copyright © Český rozhlas / Czech Radio, 1997-2023
Vinohradská 12, 120 99 Praha 2, Czech Republic
E-mail: info@romove.cz