Z§vůle práva: Unsuccessful asylum seekers have somewhere to turn
The NGO Z§vůle práva is responding to the introduction of visa obligations
for Czech citizens by offering legal aid to those who have not been granted
asylum in Canada. Czech citizens of Roma nationality who are concerned they
might be discriminated against in the Czech Republic or that they might
become the victims of serious crimes can contact the program “Ma den pes!”
(“Don’t Give Up!”), where lawyers will counsel them for free as to how to
proceed and where to turn to protect their rights.
The “Ma den pes!” contact center provides counseling for a full range of
illegal discriminatory behavior and in the most serious cases facilitates
comprehensive legal representation for clients. By the end of 2009 the
center will publish general materials for various state institutions on
methodology for monitoring discrimination, which should contribute to
creating legal security and an atmosphere of trust between ethnic Roma
citizens and state institutions.
Commenting on the exodus to Canada, Z§vůle práva founders Edita Stejskalová
and Kateřina Hrubá said: “The trust of ethnic Roma citizens in the state
and its institutions is very low today. The sense that their basic security
is guaranteed is often missing. Ethnic Roma citizens who are now returning
from Canada will face serious problems in resettling, as some of them truly
bet everything on that one opportunity. The advice of qualified lawyers can
be of significant assistance in this situation.”
When asked whether Roma are currently encountering complications when
applying for visas and whether Canada is proceeding correctly, Stejskalová
and Hrubá said: “Through the experience of our clients we can definitely
confirm the hypothesis that the Canadian authorities do not treat all Czech
citizens the same.”
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The NGO Z§vůle práva is responding to the introduction of visa obligations
for Czech citizens by offering legal aid to those who have not been granted
asylum in Canada. Czech citizens of Roma nationality who are concerned they
might be discriminated against in the Czech Republic or that they might
become the victims of serious crimes can contact the program “Ma den pes!”
(“Don’t Give Up!”), where lawyers will counsel them for free as to how to
proceed and where to turn to protect their rights.
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