Expert group to tackle escalating tensions between Roma and Ukrainian minorities

A working group made up of experts from government ministries and non-profit organizations is being set up to tackle prejudice-motivated violence and the spread of anti-Ukrainian disinformation among the Roma community, the government commissioner for human rights, Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková, announced on Twitter on Friday. Town halls and other institutions and organisations are to receive instructions on how to deescalate conflicts, ease tensions, and prevent potentially violent situations.

This comes as a response to recent anti-Ukrainian protests organised by some members of the Roma minority in several Czech cities, which followed a series of clashes between Czech Roma and Ukrainians, including incidents involving stabbings. However, in most cases, although the assailants were alleged to be Ukrainian, their nationality was never confirmed by the police. There have also been a series of unverified claims on social media recently of attacks on Roma people by Ukrainians, which the Czech police have refuted.

A number of leading Roma public figures have condemned the anti-Ukrainian protests and the spread of misinformation.