Members of the Czechoslovak Romani Union (ČSRU) join other organizations and individuals from the Romani community in condemning the recent words of Senator Zwyrtek Hamplová (see https://romea.cz/…/otevreny-rasismus-a-apartheid…). In addition to the petition, the text of which is below, the Union is asking citizens to send in photographs showing the protester holding the text of their response to the Senator. This follows an extensive project by the late CSRU founder, Stegan Pong, during which he asked Romani people for photographs of their jobs. He then used more than 1 000 images to create a video response to a statement made by the then-president of the republic, who implied that Romani people do not generally work.

The photos can be sent directly by e-mail to the senator’s address (Hamplovaj@senat.cz), or to the CSRU e-mail address set up for this purpose (omluvtese@centrum.cz), or also via the CSRU Facebook profile. The images will be used solely for the purposes of this protest.

CSRU President Karel Karika said: “Segregation of children of Roma origin today and what else does common sense tell you, Senator’?

The following petition is available here. Don’t forget to confirm your signature in your email.

On 30 March 2023, Senator Jana Zwyrtek Hamplová spoke in the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic about the possible creation of segregated classes in schools for children of Roma origin. We consider this statement to be outrageous and unacceptable for several reasons. It is also a slap in the face to all parents in our country whose children Ms Hampl would like to classify on the basis of their background, regardless of their abilities, skills and moral qualities. The practice of segregated classes is unconstitutional, long past history, and statements like this cause deep trauma to society. It is the long-standing and entrenched segregation that is the social problem in our country. Whether we admit it or not, there is racism in the Czech Republic, or rather hatred and prejudice based on different nationalities and skin colours. It is a well-known fact that children are not born racist, that society makes them racist. It is also known that mutual knowledge breaks down prejudices. That is why it is advisable for children of different nationalities to grow up together – it is the only way to break down barriers. Mrs. Zwyrtek Hampl proposed to rebuild the barriers in a way that is strikingly reminiscent of the steps taken in pre-war Germany. We would like to believe that Mrs Zwyrtek Hampl made this statement out of ignorance and rash thinking. However, in order for us to believe this, it is necessary for Mrs Zwyrtek Hampl to make a suitable public apology for her statement. We therefore call upon you, Mrs. Hampl: Apologize.