Council of Europe criticises hate speech and school segregation of Roma in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has stepped up its fight against hate crime. Nevertheless, hostility towards minorities and the disadvantage faced by Roma children in the education system remain a concern, according to the Council of Europe.

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) recognises several areas of progress in the Czech Republic in its latest country report. At the same time, it expresses concern about widespread hate speech against Roma and LGBTI people, as well as the continued segregation of Roma children in schools.

The commission welcomes the creation of the post of Government Commissioner for Roma Affairs in 2022 and the strategy to combat antisemitism for 2025 to 2030. These are complemented by action plans developed jointly with civil society to combat extremism and prejudice-based hatred. The country’s president has also repeatedly spoken out against hate speech.

Progress in policing and prosecution

According to ECRI, the authorities have made considerable efforts to train police officers in hate crime, antigypsyism and intercultural skills. There are now 300 police liaison officers for minorities nationwide. Every public prosecutor’s office also has a designated contact person for hate crime.

Photo: Wirestock | Freepik

Protection under criminal law has also been strengthened: sexual orientation has been added to the Criminal Code as a possible bias motivation. Efforts to integrate Ukrainian children with temporary protection status into the education system are also recognised.

Hate speech and bullying in schools

Nevertheless, the commission considers hate speech to remain widespread, particularly on social media and during election campaigns. It primarily targets Roma and LGBTI people, but increasingly also Ukrainians and Jewish people.

ECRI is particularly concerned about hostility and bullying directed at LGBTI and Roma pupils. These come from fellow pupils and occasionally also from teachers and parents who do not belong to the Roma minority. Ukrainian children are also affected.

Roma children also continue to be disproportionately placed in special education. In 2022, this affected 15 per cent of Roma pupils, compared with 2.5 per cent of all pupils. They also frequently attend schools with a disproportionately high share of Roma pupils.

Calls for targeted measures

In total, ECRI makes 15 recommendations to the Czech authorities. Priorities include further measures against racist and anti-LGBTI hate speech and bullying in schools, as well as ensuring a sufficient number of Roma teaching assistants. Targeted protection strategies are needed for LGBTI, Roma and Ukrainian children.

The commission also calls for a review of assessment methods used by school psychologists and sufficient funding for schools tackling segregation and supporting Roma pupils at risk of dropping out. The national LGBTI strategy must be adopted without further delay.

Other recommendations concern protection against discrimination in the housing market, an independent assessment of measures against hate crime, and clear legal and ethical guidelines for the medical care of intersex children. Roma women who were unlawfully sterilised must be able to obtain effective redress.