The situation of Czech Romanies has not much improved even 20 years since the Velvet Revolution, according to a study the Romany Dzeno organisation has released.
The study points to the support of Romany culture and language as positive phenomena but says that housing and working conditions of Romanies have worsened and in addition, extremism in the country has strengthened.
According to Ivan Vesely, chairman of the Association of Romany Civic Initiatives (AROIE) which was established by Romany groups from central Europe in Melnik, central Bohemia, this August, the state bears the largest responsibility for the situation of Romanies.
Anti-Gypsy sentiment
The study says that skinhead movements, the appearance of Romany ghettos as well as anti-Romany statements made by government officials reflect expanding anti-Gypsy sentiment. It also pointed out that in the period from January 2008 to June 2009 arsonists attacked Romanies at least three times, there have been several anti-Romany marches and many physical assaults of Romanies.
Before the November 1989 revolution most Romanies lived in state-owned or company flats but after the fall of communism many poor Romanies faced difficulties with housing. That led to the appearance of ghettos where social exclusion of Romanies deepens further.
Support of Romany culture
However, support of Romany culture and language has grown over the past 20 years. A university department of Romany language has been established and the festival of Romany music and dance Khamoro has been held with success for ten years, the study says.
