I wish to congratulate Milos Zeman for winning Czech Republic's presidential election and I urge him to work towards ending Roma (Gypsy) apartheid in Czech Republic and Europe.
I urge him to take-up the issue of continuous maltreatment of Roma in Czech Republic and Europe as a top priority of his Presidency. The high-flown “Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005–2015” initiative, of which Czech Republic held the presidency in 2010-2011, failed to make any “real” impact on the condition of Roma in Czech Republic and Europe.
Roma people in Czech Republic reportedly face violent attacks, stereotyping, racism, prejudice, and a growing gap between Roma and other Czechs, they fear, beatings, poor quality housing, systemic employment and overall discrimination, persecution, throwing of Molotov cocktails, social exclusion, marginalization; they are refused service at restaurants, stores, discos, etc.; municipalities/towns failing to support them; and the state being unwilling or unable to offer protection.
I hope that the country of Franz Kafka, Antonin Dvorak, Jaroslav Hasek, Karlovy Vary, and its rich cultural heritage would not continue staying apathetic and silent spectator ignoring Roma apartheid and would come to their rescue.
References to Roma people in Europe, who number around 15-million, reportedly went as far back as ninth century CE.
It was the first time that presidential position was decided by direct popular vote in Czech Republic.
Jan. 26, 2013