Commissioner Věra Jourová says decision pending on Roma discrimination case

The European Commission should resolve next week whether to push ahead with proceedings against the Czech Republic for the high proportion of Roma children in so-called practical schools, the Commissioner for human rights and consumers Věra Jourová has said. She added that her staff are currently evaluating arguments presented by the Czech Republic and other sources. The Commission started proceedings last September over alleged ongoing discrimination in schools against the Roma minority. The next stage would allow the government to take corrective action. If it failed to do so, Brussels could start proceedings against the country in the European Court of Justice. The Czech government says it has stopped sending Roma to special schools for those with learning difficulties. But critics say the practical schools are just another name for the same thing.