WRITTEN QUESTION E-1929/99 by Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Commission. The treatment of Romanies in the Czech Republic.
Date: 1999-11-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Czechia, Roma, ethnic discrimination, urban problem

20.6.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 170 E/127

Could the Commission check whether the construction and destruction of these dams has not been paid
for twice over? Has the project been delayed, and if so, for what reason? What are the reasons for
modifying the project to include the creation of new car parks, instead of implementing measures to
control the risk of soil erosion? Why have historical and environmental features not been restored as in the
case of the historical adobe wall built in the 18th Century? Why has the daily traffic flow of more than
50 000 cars across the Casa de Campo park not been restricted, in view of its detrimental effect on the
environment?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(26 November 1999)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2000/C 170 E/151)

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 (cid:145)ceramic fence(cid:146) 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 representa-
tive, 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.