Czech Republic: Citizenship
01 January 1991
Czech Republic: Citizenship
artdoc April=1995
75,000 Roma rendered stateless
The Roma National Congress believes that a decree brought in on
30 June, forcing those whose ancestors emigrated from Slovakia
just after the Second World War to reapply for citizenship, could
mean that 75,000 Roma will lose their legal status. All Roma who
have failed to apply by the deadline, or whose applications are
rejected because they have no steady job, will automatically be
rendered stateless and will require temporary residence permits
(Romnews 21.6.94).
Former premier signs accord with Gypsy groups
Five Gypsy parties, including the Romani Civic Initiative, have
signed an accord with the former Slovak premier, Vladimir Meciar,
which guarantees them a loan of 1 million Slovak crowns (£20,400)
and a car in return for support in the general election in
September. Under the deal, the five groups will unite and
instruct members to vote for Meciar's Movement for a Democratic
Slovakia or for the Romani block which in turn has agreed to join
a coalition headed by Meciar.
Last September, Meciar caused a storm of protest when he
declared the Roma an `anti-social, mentally retarded' group
(Guardian 26.7.94, Romnews no. 11).
IRR European Race Audit, Bulletin no 10, September 1994. Contact:
Liz Fekete, Institute of Race Relations, 2-6 Leeke Street, London
WC1X 9HS. Tel: 0171 837 0041