PRESS RELEASE

Group wants immediate end to segregation of Roma pupils in Czech Republic

Hindus want immediate end to reported continual and systematic ethnic segregation of Roma (Gypsy) children in Czech Republic which, they say, is blatant racism.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Roma children, like all Czech Republic children, should go to mainstream schools. This segregation resulting in inequality was shocking, unreasonable, unfair, immoral and discriminatory and was totally unacceptable in the 21^st century Europe. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged immediate intervention of European Union (EU) on this matter.

EU bosses, who boasted of human rights record of Europe, needed to wake up. Did high-flown “Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005–2015” initiative, of which Czech Republic held the presidency in 2010-2011, actually aimed at “exclusion”? Zed asked.

Rajan Zed applauded Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks for speaking out for quality of education of Roma children in Czech Republic,   asking for the “political will and sustained commitment” of the government, and urging to “bring to an end the vicious circle of segregated education that affects Roma children” after a recent four-day visit to the country. “Roma segregation remains a serious problem in the Czech Republic”, says Commissioner’s website.

This reported continual segregation of Roma children in Czech Republic schools had resulted in inferior quality education and limiting success for them, thus causing them to fall into poverty, Zed pointed out.

Rajan Zed stressed that all children were equal and should mix with each other for better Czech and European future societies. All children should have the right to education without any discriminatory practices to become healthy members of the society. Roma children should be accorded equal opportunities and avenues of full participation in Czech life and Czech Republic should “wholeheartedly” back their inclusion, Zed added.

Zed further said that Czech religious leaders and religious groups, especially the majority Roman Catholic Church, should take-up the cause of Roma people and raise the issue of their continuous maltreatment; as religion taught us to plead for the oppressed, stand with the poor, and seek justice for those whom God loved and too often the world overlooked. 

Rajan Zed argued that Roma people in Czech Republic reportedly faced violent attacks, stereotyping, racism, prejudice, growing gap between Roma and other Czechs, fear, beatings, poor quality housing, systemic employment and overall discrimination, persecution, throwing of Molotov cocktails, social exclusion, marginalization; refused service at restaurants, stores, discos, etc.; municipalities/towns failing to support them; and the state being unwilling or unable to offer protection.

Zed hoped that the country of Franz Kafka, Antonin Dvorak, Jaroslav Hasek, Karlovy Vary, and rich cultural heritage would not continue staying apathetic and silent spectator ignoring Roma apartheid and would come to their rescue. Vaclav Klaus and Petr Nečas are President and Prime Minister respectively of Czech Republic.

References to Roma people in Europe, who number around 15-million, reportedly went as far back as ninth century CE.