CZECH SENATE WINNER RELOCATES ROMA SETTING OFF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 001371 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL EZ SUBJECT: CZECH SENATE WINNER RELOCATES ROMA SETTING OFF STORM OF DEBATE REF: A. PRAGUE 1333 ¶B. PRAGUE 1356 PRAGUE 00001371 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. SUMMARY. The forced relocation of Roma families from the city of Vsetin -- by a popular mayor who just won election to the Czech Senate -- has generated strong public debate over Roma rights that has impacts for the Czech Christian Democratic party. The mayor, Jiri Cunek, had been considered a front-runner for the leadership of the party. While the practice of forcibly relocating Roma is unfortunately not uncommon in the Czech Republic, Cunek's new-found prominence is shining a helpful light on the issue, and the high-level national debate could have a positive impact. The debate comes just as series of public service announcements attacking prejudice against the Roma, funded by USAID, are being released. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Jiri Cunek -- a figure of some prominence in the Christian Democratic party (KDU-CSL),which has been in turmoil since its leader was forced to resign this summer (ref A) -- was recently re-elected as mayor of Vsetin, a town in southeastern Moravia. But he came to national attention this week after winning a seat in the Czech Senate. Vsetin won with the largest margin of victory in any of the 27 run-off races that were decided October 27-28 (ref B),taking 71% of the votes against an ODS candidate. The fact that ODS won the majority of the races nationwide makes Cunek's victory even more remarkable. (Although it is worth noting that turnout in Cunek's district was only 19% of eligible voters.) Cunek's name was already in play as a possible KDU-CSL Chairman; his big victory in the Senate race only served to raise his profile. ¶3. But as soon as the election was over commentators focused on his record of dealing with Vsetin's Roma population. As mayor, Cunek had evicted some 330 Roma residents from their homes in the city, largely for having missed rent payments. Some were moved to neighboring villages; many were moved into prefab units that resembled stacked shipping containers. Cunek staunchly rejected any criticism for the evictions and forced relocations, and demonstrated his "resolve" by evicting a further two families, consisting of 26 people, from their homes in the week following his Senate win. In a public statement he compared the relocations to a doctor "removing an ulcer." When confronted with the fact that many of the new homes where the Roma were relocated lacked basic amenities like running water and heat, Cunek responded by asserting that a simple home is better than no home at all. ¶4. Cunek's actions are unfortunately not uncommon; officials in several Czech towns have evicted Roma from property (much of it in areas slated for redevelopment) for either late rental payments or unsanitary conditions. These efforts are often politically popular, as was the case in Vsetin. Most such incidents do not receive sustained criticism or attention at the national level. That is no longer the case in Vsetin, however. The level of press attention and criticism over the past week has been intense. Jan Kasal, acting head of the KDU-CSL, sharply criticized the relocations, saying that expulsion of families is not part of the party's program. He said the party would take up the issue at its annual congress December 7 "because it might set a model which I would not like to be applied in the Czech Republic." Others within KDU-CSL are calling for Cunek to leave the party, or even to leave politics altogether. Senate Vice-President Petr Pithart (KDU-CSL) is demanding a public apology. ¶5. While some criticism from KDU-CSL members may be political motivated (an attempt to remove a challenger for the party chair),this case is refreshing as it is attracting other national criticism. There have been numerous editorials criticizing Cunek's actions. Some have made comparisons to Josef Mengele. It remains to be seen, however, how many top political officials will engage on the issue, and whether the Senate will take any steps to prevent Cunek from taking his seat in the body when it reconvenes next month. ¶6. The Cunek controversy come just as a series of televised public service announcements and posters, paid for with funds from USAID, are calling attention to the problem of prejudice against the Roma. In a regularly run spot, a Caucasian man on a public bus discovers his wallet is missing, notices a dark skinned passenger in the back and confronts him, demanding that he return the missing wallet. A young girl stands on her seat and points to the missing wallet, where it had fallen from the first man's pocket. The tag line reads, "Keep an eye on your belongings, but also watch out for prejudice." PRAGUE 00001371 002.2 OF 002 ¶7. COMMENT: The situation confronting the Roma, the Czech Republic's only significant minority, is complex long-standing matter that defies easy solutions. Fortunately, the approach taken by Cunek in Vsetin is at the extreme end of the spectrum; unfortunately, Cunek is not alone in his approach. While the resolution of this situation, for both the Roma former residents of Vsetin and for Cunek, is not yet clear, the coincidence of Mayor Cunek's forced relocations and Senator Cunek's election victory has at least forced the country and senior politicians to focus on the problem. Decisions taken in the coming weeks about Cunek will be a sign of where KDU-CSL, and the country as a whole, stand on the question of Roma rights. END COMMENT. GRABER