Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BRATISLAVA779
2006-09-22 14:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:
SLOVAK POLICE TO FORM SPECIAL UNIT FOR EXTREMISM
how-toVZCZCXRO7375 PP RUEHAST DE RUEHSL #0779 2651448 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 221448Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0315 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000779
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KCRM LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAK POLICE TO FORM SPECIAL UNIT FOR EXTREMISM
REF: A. BRATISLAVA 733
B. BRATISLAVA 754
C. BRATISLAVA 764
UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000779
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KCRM LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAK POLICE TO FORM SPECIAL UNIT FOR EXTREMISM
REF: A. BRATISLAVA 733
B. BRATISLAVA 754
C. BRATISLAVA 764
1. (U) Minister of Interior Robert Kalinak announced on
September 20 the creation of a special police unit to combat
extremism. The idea for the unit was first mooted by Police
President Jan Packa in the wake of the alleged attack on an
ethnic Hungarian woman in Nitra last month (refs A-C). While
exact details have not yet been determined, the unit should
operate in all eight regions of the country, commence
activities in January or February 2007, and focus on
trafficking in persons in addition to extremism. The
Minister also intends to draft a law which will define an
extremist action as a deed which directly and concretely
limits human rights and leads to physical injury and/or other
damages.
2. (SBU) Kalinak made the announcement during a joint press
conference with three representatives of the NGO community.
Daniel Milo of People Against Racism noted that the official
number of 121 racially-inspired attacks in 2005 is probably
10 times too low because of victims failing to report such
incidents and because of police categorizing some incidents
as misdemeanors. One NGO representative who sits on
Slovakia's anti-extremism working group told us privately
that she is satisfied with the Minister's actions and
substantive involvement in the issue.
3. (SBU) COMMENT. This initiative against extremism may
indicate that Kalinak is starting to get his house in order.
(NOTE: The post of National Coordinator for the Fight against
Extremism, for example, has been vacant for over a month.)
Given recent ethnic tensions, diplomatic problems with
Hungary, and international condemnation because of the
inclusion of a nationalistic party in government, the GOS
could use a few prestige points. Increasing anti-extremism
measures may accomplish a political as well as practical
goal. END COMMENT.
VALLEE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KCRM LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAK POLICE TO FORM SPECIAL UNIT FOR EXTREMISM
REF: A. BRATISLAVA 733
B. BRATISLAVA 754
C. BRATISLAVA 764
1. (U) Minister of Interior Robert Kalinak announced on
September 20 the creation of a special police unit to combat
extremism. The idea for the unit was first mooted by Police
President Jan Packa in the wake of the alleged attack on an
ethnic Hungarian woman in Nitra last month (refs A-C). While
exact details have not yet been determined, the unit should
operate in all eight regions of the country, commence
activities in January or February 2007, and focus on
trafficking in persons in addition to extremism. The
Minister also intends to draft a law which will define an
extremist action as a deed which directly and concretely
limits human rights and leads to physical injury and/or other
damages.
2. (SBU) Kalinak made the announcement during a joint press
conference with three representatives of the NGO community.
Daniel Milo of People Against Racism noted that the official
number of 121 racially-inspired attacks in 2005 is probably
10 times too low because of victims failing to report such
incidents and because of police categorizing some incidents
as misdemeanors. One NGO representative who sits on
Slovakia's anti-extremism working group told us privately
that she is satisfied with the Minister's actions and
substantive involvement in the issue.
3. (SBU) COMMENT. This initiative against extremism may
indicate that Kalinak is starting to get his house in order.
(NOTE: The post of National Coordinator for the Fight against
Extremism, for example, has been vacant for over a month.)
Given recent ethnic tensions, diplomatic problems with
Hungary, and international condemnation because of the
inclusion of a nationalistic party in government, the GOS
could use a few prestige points. Increasing anti-extremism
measures may accomplish a political as well as practical
goal. END COMMENT.
VALLEE