Roma Migration to and from the Czech Republic since the 90’s

PhDr. Laura LaubeováCharles University Prague

Summer 2005

Resources (general)

WB (2003) www.worldbank.org/eca/roma

UNDP (2003) http://roma.undp.sk

Liegeois, Jean-Pierre (1994)

Guy, Will (2001, 1975)

Acton, Thomas

Okely, Judithhttp://www.tolerance.cz/courses/monnet/monnet.htm

Resources on migration to and from CZ

Bratinka Report (1997) http://www.vlada.czConception of Roma integration (2002) Lee, Ronald (2000)Gabal, Ivan (2000) http://www.gac.czThe Czech Helsinki Committee (2002)

http://www.helcom.cz/IOM report on Slovak Roma migration to CZ

(Nov. 2003) http://www.iom.cz

Outline

Who are the Roma/ Roma political participationRoma in CZ pre 89

After 89 (discrimination + denial)

Exodus to Canada, Summer 97, and Cz. Government reaction, Fall 97

Migration research (GAC/IOM, Ministry of Interior)

Slovak Roma Immigration, 2000-03

Who are Roma

Origin: linguistics vs Judith Okely

Language Romanes /Romani (Punjabi or Hindi)

Sg. Rom, Dom; pl. Roma; adj. Romani (Romany)

Heterogenous communities (Romungre, Vlach, Sinti,)

12 million Roma throughout the world,

8 -10 m. in Europe, 200 000 in CZ

Population numbers

Slovakia 10%

480,000-520,000 Hungary 5%

550,000-600,000 Czech Rep. 2%

250,000-300,000

Bulgaria 8%

700,000 -800,000 Romania 6%

1,800,000- 2,500,000

(in EU 2007)

Source: ERRC

Political participation

World Romani Congress, London in 1971:16-spoked wheel as their international symbol,

flag (green and blue),

anthem (Roma arise),

proclaimed April 8 international Romani day

Europe's largest transnational minority;

Declaration on "non-territorial" nation

Weblinks:

European Roma Information Office http://www.erionet.org/Home.html

European Roma Rights Centre http://www.errc.org

European Roma Forum http://www.europeanromaforum.org/

Czech Radio http://www.romove.cz

Maria Tereza and Joseph II. (1760- 1784) assimilation, sedentarisation

1927 Act on Nomadic Gypsies (identity cards)Nazi holocaust (200,000 - 1.5 m. died)after WWII: Slovak Roma brought to Sudetenland1958 Act on settlement of nomadic persons (repealed

only in CZ in 97)1965 policy of dispersion and displacement1968 Association of Gypsies/Roma in CS 1978 Charta 77 document1989 recognised as national minority

History

After 1989 1993 Citizenship Law (de facto discrimination), put most

Roma in position of aliens1997 Emigration to Canada, UK → Bratinka report

(www.vlada.cz)1998 UN CERD Concluding observations on CR, "de facto”

segregation in edu (article 5 ICERD)1999 Concept of Romani integration - adopted in 2000 2001 UK Immigration officers in Prg Airport

(CHC Statement 29 Aug. 01), Guy Goodwin-Gill2002 "Conception on Romani Integration", no quota but

equalising measures 2003 Denial by pres. Klaus, BBC Hardtalk

“Exodus” to Canada1996: 150 Czech Roma claimants6 Aug. 1997: TV documentary6 Aug.–8 Oct. 97: 1500 claimants/

“Invasion” , i.e. 6% of all refugee claimants in 97

Re-introduction of visa requirementMigration to UK and other EU countriesBratinka report and Concept of Romani

integration

Overview of research on migration tendencies from CZ GAC 2000 for IOM; Ministry of Interior, Autumn 2002

1. Main motives for migration2. Who leaves3. Relation of Roma towards migration4. How well are Roma informed about situation

abroad and asylum procedures in the target country

5. Forecast of further development6. Number of persons who migrated

1. Main motives for migration

GAC 2000 Bad social

situation of Roma in the CR

They do not feel secure in the CR

Government 2002 Economical reasons Hopeless

economical and social situation in the CR

Discrimination and unequal behaviorExtortion

2. Who leaves

GAC 2000 More active

Roma, who are informed about asylum procedures

Those who have family abroad

Government 2002 Roma who have

rather better than worse position in the social hierarchy.

3. Attitudes of Roma to migration

GAC 2000 Positive, even in

case of unsuccessful result, with which they count and keep social ties in the CR

Government 2002 Positive, even in

case of unsuccessful result

4.Forecast of further development

GAC 2000 Roma will

continue to solve the unsatisfactory state or affairs in the CR through emigration

Government 2002 Roma will continue

to migrate, because it is not possible in the short-term perspective to make provisions, which would improve their status in the CR.

5. How well are Roma informed about situation abroad and asylum procedures in the target country

GAC 2000 Very well,

information is being spread within Roma communities

Government 2002 Very well, in some

aspects Roma migration has elements of organized work, especially in giving information and know-how on asylum procedures.

6. Number of persons who migrated

GAC 2000 Not known, Czech

public administration does not enough information, Roma keep their departures secret

Government 2002 Not known, none of

competent offices has idea how many Roma emigrated, which among other means that state is nor prepared for their massive return.

Slovak Roma migration 00-03

1. Situation in Slovakia, Impact on Czech Republic

2. Migration types3. Push factors4. Pull factors5. Hindering factors6. Starting migration factors:

non-asylum vs asylum7. Proposed solutions

1. Situation in Slovakia and CR380 000-500 000 Roma in Slovakia127 tho in Slovak colonies, shacksECRI 3rd country report (27 Jan 04)

> 1000 asylum claimants in CZ in 2003+ Non- asylum migrationEstimates: 10-14 000 of Slovak immigrants in CR -

not confirmed

ECRIIn Slovakia, racially-motivated violence, including

serious acts of police brutality continues. The Roma minority remains severely disadvantaged in most areas of life, particularly in the fields of housing, employment and education. ECRI also calls for a full, transparent and impartial investigation into the recent allegations concerning sterilisations of Roma women without their full and informed consent

http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/Ecri/

2. Migration types Unregistered migrants Temporary employment migration Asylum seekers Multiple and variable

3. Migration push factors increased numbers of the Roma settlements

and their expansion; high birth-rate reduction of the maximum level of social

benefits provided to one assessed family to 10,500 Slovak crowns (£200/month)

escalation of the usurious practices and their toleration from the part of the state administration bodies

unrealistic expectations based on the approaching EU accession

4. Migration pull factors in CZ

family solidarity increasing number of spatially

segregated localities with a predominantly Roma population (ghetoisation)

opportunities to find employment, including illegal practices

shelter and food provided in the asylum camps

5. Factors hindering migration decreasing kinship solidarity unimplemented liberalization of the housing

market which might offer more affordable accommodation

stagnation at the labour market, especially that of construction work and trenching

continuing competition at the labour market, caused especially by foreigners from the former Soviet Union (in spite of the introduction of visa requirements for the Ukraine)

presence of foreigners in the asylum camps who may incite cultural conflicts

6. Starting migration factorsnon-asylum asylum

Joining the family/ seeking partner

Return to Bohemia Loss of housing Employment migration Better life prospects Domestic violence Usury (“Loan-

sharking”)

“Loan-sharking” connected with loss of housing

Loss of housing Discrimination Return to Bohemia Domestic violence

6. Proposed solutions

Partial absorption (social fieldwork)

Partial repatriation - IOM