Page 2 of cover
Christmas Wish of Hana Kožuriková
Merry Christmas full of love to all people of good and bad will alike, I wish that no child lived in a children's home, suffering from hunger, cold and loneliness, I wish that all old, ill, forlorn and unhappy people could live long enough for their desires to come true, I wish that people abandoned their prejudices, I wish to the poor, the unemployed and the imprisoned a better life,
Your colleague.

“This Is Life…“
Catholic charity expelled from the Coexistence Village its founder, Kumar Vishwanathan. “The charity have performed a coup…I do not want to fight, I would rather do something more useful”, said the best-known social worked of the Czech Republic. He only fears the essence of the Village - involvement of the inhabitants into its operation - might bet lost under the dictatorship of the charity.

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What They Think of Us
It is Correct to Collect Romany Statistical Data
The Government representative for human rights defends the intention of the Government to collect Romany data. The Government is apparently most interested in social and economic data such as income, employment, education. Personal data will be protected. The Government rejects criticism point out the possibility of abuse of the data. The Government office together with the Czech Statistical Office and the Office for Personal Data Protection have submitted to the Government the first draft proposal to that effect. Further dwelling in blindness towards ethnic minorities cannot be justified, neither legally nor pragmatically”, says the representative.
By Jan Jařab

Pretended Blindness
President of the Dženo association argues against the statement of Jan Jařab included in the above article. He considers him coward for the statement that there are not enough data to assess whether the Romany conditions are getting worse or better. Reasons why to start alarming at the Government door and calling for help are more than many and everybody who is not blind and deaf can see them. Even the existing documents of the central authorities include sufficient information. A good example is the recently published analysis of the Ministry of the Interior, using relatively accurate data of Romany population numbers, their locations and social conditions. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs also possess sufficient data concerning the critical situation of Romany families. Blaming others for ethnic blindness is culmination of cowardly approach of the Government representative himself denying ethnic nature of the minority and the rights following from the membership to an ethnic group and at the same time submitting the concept to the Romany population. The extensive document of the Government concept of Romany integration does not even mention the notion of ethnic minority, substituting for it the vague notion of social and cultural classification. “As soon as we are able to sign electorate lists of Romany self-government we may even risk fill out census sheets”.
By Ivan Veselý

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What Has Happened
Standpoint of Dženo Association to Government meeting on Slovak Romany Migration to the Czech Republic
Expression of deep concern concerning the approach of the Government evidently lacking respect for basic human rights by trying to prevent the natural process of merges of families separated by the split of Czechoslovakia and by preventing application of the right for free movement by people expelled from their homes by poverty and loss of life perspectives. Dženo rejects the approach of the Government handling Romany population as a subject of manipulation and invites the Government to create a legislative framework for Romany participation in the decision-making process.

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British Offices Want to Take Children Away from Failed Asylum Seekers
Full wording of the article here
By Pavel Kaliáš

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Romany Inhabitants Emigrating from Slovakia to the Czech Republic
Our Slovak colleague informs about approaches of Slovak Government and non-governmental organisations to the intention of the Czech Government to take intensive measured against Romany migration from Slovakia.
By Andrea Slobodníková

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Praise for Positive Discrimination
The notion of “positive migration” has been rejected in the Czech Republic across the political spectrum. The author uses France as an example documenting that this is not so everywhere. French Minister of the Interior, Mr. Nicholas Sarkozy, so far known as “man of iron fists”, and notorious for severe police guards and effective struggle against criminality, today openly defends and asserts “positive discrimination” as an instrument of elimination of poverty and growing Islamic fundamentalism. Romany issue in the Czech Republic is just a minor variant of the more massive and sharpened problems of ethnic minorities and immigrants in France. In such a situation the term of “positive discrimination” is much more fitting than the “balance measures” used here. How can one speak about balance in a country with extensively developing capitalism, even broadening differences between people? The notion of “balance” is misleading - the idea of balance in reference to whole groups of citizens, especially Romany citizens, is illusory. On the contrary, “positive discrimination” clearly indicates that this is about elimination of at least the most loudly consequences of to-date discrimination. Effectiveness of such measures, however, assumes that the State and the society as a whole are willing to admit that they have done harm to the people, that there is a debt towards the people, and that there is willingness to seek remedy. This acceptance of blame by the majority is still an intangible asset whose achievement is too far away in the future of the Czech Republic. This may be one of the main reasons why the notion of “positive discrimination” is so much hated in the Czech Republic. This society is unable to provide full equality to the Romany population in the social and economic areas, but can at least try to eliminate the strongest forms of discrimination.
By Jakub Polák

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What Has Happened
European Romany Forum - International Romany Platform
A participant in the discussion taking place in Strasbourg on 12 - 15 November 2003 informs about the conclusions adopted by the working meeting of Romany representative and the European Council. The meeting resulted in formulation of the basic these of the statue of the European Romany Forum as kind of official Romany representation on the international level. The Forum should mainly include national representatives “appointed on the basis of the appropriate national democratic rules“. What is a little worrying is that financing of activities of the European Romany Forum should be covered with grants, voluntary contributions etc. like in the case of non-governmental organisations.
By Ondřej Giňa

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Report
Scientists Voice Warning: Racism Harms Intelligence
Scientific research at Dartmouth College of Princeton University in the U.S.A. has confirmed that racial prejudices are no sign of wisdom. Increased number of incorrect answers in tests and the necessity to think harder if they want to behave in socially acceptable manner is typical of people with racial prejudices.

Do Not Change Romany People!
Terezie Pémová, a well-know social worker, lectured at the Museum of Romany Culture in Brno about field social work. “I keep saying to every applicant for the work that he or she must know why he or she wants to do this. Who believes that he or she will save any of the people, or even change them, that must be told by me not to do it. Field worker is a guide in trouble, helping to people who want and need to be helped.“ Most of the recent clients of the field workers include people from Prague and surroundings stricken with the disastrous flood. “Romany people more frequently express their respect for us. We are guests for them. In other families I have even experienced arguments, which was not very nice.“

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Hectic and Exhausted Christmas Holiday
A Christmas essay where the author says that this year she will celebrate Christmas differently, not as consumer holiday, accompanied with the usual hasty preparations. “If there is snow, I will make a snowman, I will visit a Romany dance and the homeless at the railway station with a bottle of Rum”.
By Hana Kožuriková

Towards the End of 2003
Balance at the end of the year and acknowledgements to all colleagues and friends, but also clients who helped the author, field social worker of Nymburk, in her activities.
By Hana Kožuriková

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Report
Kumar, Little Prince, Currently in Ostrava
The comparison of the founder of the Coexistence Village, the Indian Kumar Vishwanathan, with the character of Little Prince from the fairy tale by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Kumar appeared among the Romany population of Ostrava hit with the flood as a creature from another world. While local people were not willing to help, he voluntarily shared their destiny with them. Even though Catholic charity expelled him from the Coexistence Village he founded, and usurped his project, something is sure to be left after Little Prince. In the first place the principle of solidarity. “Kumar the Little Prince will leave in the end. He is from a fairy tale, a universal traveller. Nobody knows when he is to leave. It would be good if it were after the people of the Village begin to take decisions for themselves.“
By Jana Chalupová

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Dialogue
Concept and Coordination of Romany Policy
Romany coordinator of the Liberec region joins the discussion about revision of Government concept of Romany integration. He criticises the to-date practice, especially the method of distribution of state subsidies by the Government Council for Romany Community Affairs from which regional coordinators have been excluded. I care for future of the Romany minority and I do not find the current status satisfactory… The Government Council for Romany Community Affairs seems to have fulfilled their initiation function and their knowledge and experience should be handed over. But not to the “agency” they plan to propose.“
By Jozef Holek

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What Has Happened
Dialogue with Deaf II
Continuation of the new column on activities of institutions and organisations significantly affecting the life of the Romany national minority but unwilling to enter a real open dialogue. “They hear, sometimes show interest to listen, but only begin to talk to you when you show willingness to accept their requirements… In the last issue we addressed our attempt at a dialogue to the authors of the Romany government policy. This issue deals with police and justice.“ Detailed documentation is included of the case of benevolent proceeding of the criminal authorities against a group of neo-Nazis this time terrorising not Romany but Czech inhabitants of Malá Úpa in the Krkonoše. Even though the terrorists were notorious, repeatedly imprisoned in the past for discrimination-motivated violence, their pursuit was postponed, despite the interest of the media in the case and repeated complaints of the affected. The other case is connected with European authorities benevolent towards manifestations of anti-Semitism and attacks against Jews, increasing in number in Europe after the events in the Middle East.
By Jakub Polák

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Dialogue
State Does Not Fulfil Its Obligations Towards Minority Nations
The text has been submitted as a contribution to the discussion in the context of the seminar organised by the European Council and concerning implementation of the principles stipulated by the General Agreement on Protection of Minority Nations. The seminar was held at the Koloděje chateau on 2 December 2003. The author criticises insufficient measures of the Government of the Czech Republic in the context of implementation of the General Agreement. The Minority Act in her opinion is no more than a vague declaration of rights and defined no effective mechanisms of their enforcement. The Government documents tend to increasingly substitute “Romany community” for “Romany nationality”, thus depriving the Romany minority the status of minority nation. The Governmental concept represents socialisation and de-ethnisation of the Romany issue, which reduces Romany protection by international treaties. The dialogue between the Government and minority nations required by the European Council is insufficient. Romany representatives are not treated as equal partners on most levels from municipalities to central bodies. The practice of selection of Romany officials and grant allocation to Romany organisations disables constitution of authentic Romany representation, on the contrary supporting mutual rivalry. “These drawbacks result in a situation when the State authorities are unable to 1) predict critical situations and seek for effective solutions, 2) identify current situations and use prepared model solutions, 3) specify long-term goals of coexistence of the majority and the Romany minority and define strategies of achievement of peaceful coexistence, 4) seek for effective methods of cooperation with self-government bodies, non-governmental organisations and seek for Romany partners able to participate in the solution.“ Long-term solution of this situation is represented by support for Romany emancipation and participation in public affairs.
By Jana Chalupová

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Dialogue
I Am Proud of Being Romany
The author, Christian clergyman, member of Order of the Holy Spirit, speaks about his pastoral activities, proudly declaring his Romany origin. “I am pleased when I meet proud Romany people. I am happy as a Romany, born Sinti Roma. We Sints base our lives on traditions and rules full of symbols that I find positive. I believe that majority society has a lot to learn from Romany nation. Our positives include respect for the elderly, affection for children, freedom, hospitality, refined feelings and a number of other things. The majority society lacks most of this.... Romany integration is often spoken about. I believe that Romany integration would be the beginning of decay.“
By Patrik Kraus

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History
Life of Sints, Holocaust and Outlook for the Future...
Full wording of the article here
By Patrik Kraus

Supplement
Ten Years of Revolution - Zapatists in Mexico
Extensive 20-page study containing detailed information about ten-year history of struggle of American Indians in Chiapas of Mexico for freedom, independence and traditional ways of life. The study describes the revolutionary tradition of Mexicans explicitly followed by their recent efforts. The original combination of the intellectually very profoundly processed criticism of current world of economic and political conditions and traditional values is an inspiring example and enormous challenge for Romany and other nations. Despite the strong pressure in which the U.S.A. are directly involved autonomous piece of land has been achieved and maintained. The territory is operated by principles of self-government based on traditional Indian standards of direct democracy. Remarkable aspects include rejection of any form of authoritative rule and creation of cults of leader personalities. The masks covering the faces of speakers of the Zapatist movement serve as an expression of the fact that a particular personality is replaceable and that charismatic personalities are not inevitable for success of a revolution, while sharing of common ideals and goals by the whole nation is. Speech of Sub-Commandant Marcose, reacting on the summit of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) includes the following: “This is world war of the mighty who would like to change the planet to a private club where they reserve the right to deny access. Exclusive luxury zones where they meet, protected by armies and police forces, represent the micro-cosmos of their project for the whole planet. We all have been offered an opportunity to be in the zone, but only as servants. Or we can choose to remain off the world, off life. But there is no reason for us to accept this choice between living as servants or death. We can create a new way, way of life of dignity and freedom. Such an alternative is possible and inevitable. Inevitable for the future of the mankind…The people up there globalise conformism, cynicism, stupidity, war, destruction and death. The people down here globalise revolt, hope, creativeness, intelligence, life, memory and construction of a world where everybody would fit, a world of democracy, freedom and justice.“
By Alice Dvorská, Ondřej Slačálek

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Welcome speech of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at 2^nd International Romany Festival in Čandígarh, 29 October 1983