Rights Groups Urge Czech Mayor to Discontinue Anti-Romani Rhetoric

04 February 2011

Budapest, London, 4 February 2011: Today, the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) and Equality called on Mayor Pavel Louda to refrain from inflaming tensions between Roma and non-Roma in Nový Bydžov, Czech Republic.

The organisations sent a letter detailing their objections to the rising tensions between Roma and non-Roma following a crime for which Mayor Louda has publicly blamed Roma in Nový Bydžov as a group. The groups called on the Mayor to support a peaceful resolution of interethnic conflict in Nový Bydžov; to allow for the proper investigation and prosecution of individual perpetrators of any criminal actions; and to promote a safe community for all town residents, regardless of their ethnic identity.

The ERRC and Equality called on the municipality of Nový Bydžov, which had previously supported inclusion measures, to undertake further inclusion measures in the town to improve relations between Roma and non-Roma.

For further information, contact:
Sinan Gokçen, ERRC Media and Communications Officer, sinan.gokcen@errc.org, +36.30.500.1324
Lucie Fremlova, Equality Head of Programmes, lucie@equality.uk.com, +44.753.224.9831