In an Opinion on the Czech Republic published today, the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities concludes that, despite the authorities’ efforts, the plans to eradicate the segregation of Roma children in schools have so far been unsuccessful. It also points out that discrimination of the Roma persists in many fields, and there has been an increase in the manifestations of xenophobia and intolerance.
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland said: “Ensuring Roma children have adequate access to education is essential to combat discrimination of Roma people in all areas of society. The Czech Republic has made some progress, but it needs to do more.”
The Opinion, published together with the government’s comments, contains an assessment of the Czech Republic’s compliance with the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) and a set of recommendations. Based on a visit to the country in 2015, the Opinion underlines that the situation of the Roma is the most urgent social problem in the Czech Republic. (more...)