On the 4th anniversary of the death of the founder of the Czechoslovak Roma Union
On February 18, 2026, it will be four years since Štefan Pongo ( February 5, 1972 – February 18, 2022), an exceptional civic activist, visionary and founder of the Czechoslovak Roma Union, left us forever.

Štefan Pongo was not just the founder of the organization – he was its heart and soul. A man of immense courage who was not afraid to face racism and prejudice head on. He dedicated his entire life to the fight for the dignity and rights of the Roma community, not only with words, but above all with actions.

His legacy
In 2019, Štefan Pongo founded the Czechoslovak Roma Union (ČSRU) and became its driving force. He organized demonstrations, including a major Roma protest in Brussels, and fought tirelessly to ensure that the voice of the Roma community was heard at all levels of society.

He was born in Chomutov, served as a professional soldier until 1993, later worked as a businessman and truck driver. Despite this, he always found time and energy for the most important things – justice, humanity and equality.

We remember
Štefan Pongo left us after a short serious illness at the age of only 50. His departure left a great void in the Roma community, but also in the entire civil society. Nevertheless, his legacy lives on – in everyone who continues to fight against discrimination, in everyone who is not afraid to defend the rights of the oppressed.

Honor to his memory. We will not forget.

“A leader with a big heart who believed in a fairer world for all.”

 Eternal memory to Štefan Pongo