Romany groups from central Europe form umbrella organization

Romany groups from central Europe have established a new umbrella organization to help fight growing extremism. The organization, named Association of Romany Civic Initiatives of Europe, was established at a Romany conference in Mělník this weekend. It currently comprises 19 groups and is chaired by Ivan Veselý, head of the Dženo group. Mr. Vesely said that Czech and Slovak Romanies had agreed to form a support network against neo-Nazis, for instance by demonstrating together in trouble-sports. He said that Czech and Slovak Romanies could also travel to Hungary to support the Roma minority there. The Mělník conference also focused on problems relating to emerging Romany ghettos, unemployment and education.