Government office for integration of Roma to come to being by beginning of 2008

A government office dealing with the integration of the Roma minority into the rest of society is expected to be fully functional by the beginning of next year. In a televised debate programme on Sunday, Minister without Portfolio responsible for minorities and human rights, Dzamila Stehlikova, said the office would strive to prevent discrimination against Roma but also their abuse of social benefits. A staff of some 70 people will coordinate efforts by local authorities, schools, NGOs, and ministries.

Those sociologists specialising in minority issues who have voiced their reservations so far say they fear that the office will focus on individual cases. In a poll conducted by the Median agency, 80 percent of respondents saw the integration of the Roma community as a major problem in the Czech Republic.

Author: Dita Asiedu