October, 2008

Investing in jobs for Czech Roma makes economic sense

Posted Thu, 10/30/2008 - 8:40pm
The Czech Republic’s labor market has been performing strongly in recent years, and high labor demand has driven down unemployment to record low levels. Yet, according to a new World Bank study, Czech Republic: Improving Employment Chances of the Roma, over half of Czech Roma of working age (15-64) are out of the labor force.

“At this scale, the joblessness of Roma is an economic challenge and carries substantial unnecessary costs,” argues Orsalia Kalantzopoulos, World Bank Director for Central Europe and the Baltic Countries, pointing to the financial costs of welfare benefits and the loss of a productive contribution to the economy of long-term unemployed Roma. “Given that the Czech Republic, like most of its neighbors, will face an ageing population, it is in its economic interest to tackle current and prevent future long-term unemployment, including among the Roma population.”

Czechs Greens want govt to discuss extremists' actions

Posted Thu, 10/30/2008 - 8:34pm

Czech Education Minister Ondrej Liska (Green Party, SZ) wants the government to discuss the rightist extremists' action in Litvinov, north Bohemia, last Saturday, he says in a statement his party sent to CTK.

Some 300 to 400 extremists attended an unauthorised rally in Litvinov during which nationalists wanted to enter the Janov housing estate inhabited by Romanies, but the police succeeded in preventing a clash.

Four people, including three policemen, were injured in the action, however.

The extremists have said on their web page that they will return to Janov and that there will be more of them.

"Attacking and offending fellow citizens over the colour of their complexion is a manifestation of primitivism that modern society must neither tolerate nor overlook," Liska wrote.

Romany civic associations from the Romani Alliance movement have called on the government to quickly deal with the situation in Litvinov.

Poll shows European youth prejudiced against Turks, Romanians

Posted Thu, 10/30/2008 - 8:26pm

Turks and Romanians face the most prejudice from minors from 11 European countries, a recent report has indicated.

The EYCAdemy, a joint venture of the European Youth Card Association (EYCA) and the European Commission, cited Turkey’s political problems with Greece and Armenia and issues related to Gypsies (Roma) living in countries throughout Europe as the primary reasons behind this prejudice.

The Roma Pact

Radical right Magyar Garda inducts 400 new recruits

Posted Mon, 10/27/2008 - 8:44pm

The Magyar Garda, the militia arm of the radical rightwing political party Jobbik, inducted 400 new recruits -- children among them -- in a ceremony in downtown Budapest on Saturday.

Members of the Hungarian Guard, wearing black uniforms and insignias redolent of Nazi symbols, held their fourth national ceremony in Heroes' Square.

Among members addressing the crowds were Lorant Hegedus Jr, a controversial Calvinist priest, and Lajos Fur, former defence minister in Hungary's conservative government following the change of political system.

Also present was Maria Wittner, an MP of the main opposition party Fidesz.

The Magyar Garda have in the past staged marches against the Roma community in recent months.

Jobbik registered "Magyar Garda" in June 2007 as a "cultural organisation" to "prepare youth spiritually and physically for extraordinary situations when it might be necessary to mobilise the people."

Location

Right-wing Induction CeremonyBudapest
Hungary
47° 29' 45.1104" N, 19° 2' 21.5052" E