Search
26.9.2023
NEWS

HISTORY

TRADITIONS, CULTURE

PERSONALITIES

USEFUL CONTACTS

PHOTOS OF THE ROMA

VARIOUS

RADIO PRAGUE










Česky English Deutsch Francais
Study warns of possible new attacks against Roma as neo-Nazi movement gains traction
07-03-2012 - Jan Velinger
A new study commissioned by the Interior Ministry has suggested that the neo-Nazi movement in the Czech Republic (estimated as 4,000 strong with 400 hardcore members) is successfully pushing an agenda of hatred and racism in troubled parts of the country. As it stands, the last decade or so saw a number of arson attacks against ethnic Roma families including a highly-publicised case where a toddler barely survived and was left with lifelong disabilities. According to the latest report, unless more comprehensive measures are taken soon, racially-motivated attacks spurred by the neo-Nazi movement, may increase.

I spoke to political analyst Miroslav Mareš who headed the project.

“Regarding neo-Nazism, the situation is fairly stable but what we are seeing is the rise of ‘usual’ racism: in socially-troubled areas we can see the involvement of the regular population in anti-Roma demonstrations and the neo-Nazis are the ‘drivers’ of anti-Roma activities and prejudices. Of course, there are a lot of problems regarding the issue but we can now hear racist statements from local politicians from non-extremist parties. And some extremists have said ‘Look, they are drawing from our traditional programme’.”

Neo-Nazis, then, are increasingly successful in pushing their agenda?

“I think that they are and now they are active in public demonstrations. At last year’s May 1 rally in Brno they were present along with members of the far-right Workers Party of Social Justice. That is what has been happening.”

Miroslav Mareš You have just gotten back from a conference on extremism in Brussels: is the rise of the Right, so to speak, a pan-European problem?

“It is. You can see various kinds of extremism from country to country. There is the extremism of established political parties or far-right parties such as in Hungary, on the other hand you can also see rising militancy including the rising phenomenon or danger of extremist terrorism. Last year in Norway there was the terrible attack by Anders Breivik, there is the National Socialist Underground in Germany, neo-Nazis in Russia or the group Death Squad in Hungary in 2009. I think that the rising extremist scene is a threat also in terms of political violence and terrorism.”

One of the findings in the new study is that there could be increased attacks against the Roma in the Czech Republic in the next five years. Obviously that is a threat needs to be taken seriously.

“This is the most important profile field regarding right-wing extremism. Because some traditional parties now use anti-Roma rhetoric it could be the backdrop for more militant activities by neo-Nazis. Molotov cocktail attacks are cheap but also ‘effective’.”

What are some comprehensive steps the government should take?

“This is probably the most important conclusion of the study: to take steps towards prevention of the dissemination of extremist ideas among today’s youth. Repressive mechanisms already exist and work in the Czech Republic but I would say is a bigger problem is the lack of prevention programmes at primary and secondary schools.”



Related articles
DateTitleFeature
01.08.2017Romany rapper Radek Banga to receive František Kriegel Award for civic courageNews
08.02.2016Far-right focus on migrants taking heat of Roma at least for now, says Czechs Against Czechs maker Tomáš KratochvílNews
25.11.2014Political commentator Jiří Pehe: Duchcov coalition could seriously damage the Social DemocratsNews
25.11.2014Social Democrat leadership up in arms over local government coalition with ultra-right partyNews
20.11.2013Ministry aims to employ 1,000 new officers in troubled areasNews
17.11.2013Ring-wing extremists, opponents gather in PragueNews
07.11.2013Intelligence service report: corruption and economic problems are fuelling extremismNews
19.10.2013Over 300 take part in anti-Roma demonstration in OstravaNews
12.09.2013Brochures for schools to help combat racial prejudice and extremismNews
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