Czech Republic/Slovakia: Minorities

The two countries that formerly were united has traversed somewhat differing paths since the "Velvet Divorce" in 1992. The Czech Republic is seen as one of the major success stories in post-communist transition, and has made rapid advances towards democracy and a functioning market economy. Slovakia, on the other hand, moved slower in this direction in the early years of transition, but is rapidly catching up with its more industrialised counterparts. Both the Czech Repoublic and Slovakia have applied for membership in the European Union, and this issue has assumed a prominent position in both domestic and foreign policies over the last decade.

One issue which has proved difficult in the membership negotiations for both countries is the position of their national minorities, first and foremost the Roma (or Gypsy) minority. The European Union as well as other international organisations have pointed out that the social conditions of the Roma, as well as the inter-ethnic relations between the majority and minority populations need to be improved as a precondition for EU accession. After an initiative from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Czech and Slovak Helsinki Committees, Fafo conducted a pre-feasibility study in 2001, aimed at clarifying basic issues of national policies and conditions, with a view to implement a more comprehensive study of social conditions among the Roma in both countries. The feasibility study concluded that basic data on the situation of the Roma are both needed and desired, in particular by NGO's and Roma organisations, in order to target ameliorative policies.

The study was based on interviews with officials, NGOs and Roma representatives, as well as a review of official policies and some existing studies.

Publication

• Erik Hansen, Roma Minorities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia: Issues, Institutions and Policies Pertaining to Data Collection (2001)

Researcher

Erik Hansen