91999E1929

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1929/99

by Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Commission

(4 November 1999)

Subject: The treatment of Romanies in the Czech Republic

Is the Commission aware that the council of the Czech town Usti Nad Labem is planning to build a wall in a residential area to separate the part where Romanies live from the part where non-Romanies live?

Does the Commission consider this contrary to the Copenhagen criteria, which must be met by applicant countries?

If so, what action will the Commission take?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(23 November 1999)

The Commission is aware of the decision taken on 15 September 1999 by the local council of Usti nad Labem to build a ceramic fence to separate Roma and non-Roma residents in a street of this city. The wall was built on 13 October 1999 despite opposition of the Czech government and cancellation of the resolution of the local authorities voted by the Chamber of Deputies on the same day.

On 18 October 1999, the Czech government approved a resolution nominating a government representative, Mr Pavel Zarecky, Deputy minister of the Interior, to negotiate and find a viable solution with the local authorities, as requested by the Chamber of Deputies. In this resolution, the Czech government also called on the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Legislative Council, Mr Pavel Rychetsky, to discuss the progress of the government with representatives of the Roma community and to inform the diplomatic missions of the states that have contacted the government of the Czech Republic on this issue. The Czech government has expressed its intention to resolve this issue before the Helsinki European Council in December 1999.

Following the building of the wall, the Commission expressed immediately its concern about the situation prevailing in Usti nad Labem and is monitoring the situation closely. It maintains a continuous dialogue on this issue with the Czech authorities and supports the Czech Republic in all its efforts towards a solution conforming with the necessary respect for the Roma minority, and its protection.