Cunek, who in the past was often criticised for his position on Romanies, said he intended to meet Minister in charge of human rights Cunek planning reorganisation, personnel changes in his ministry ...
Czech Christian Democrat leader to return to cabinet ...
Czech Greens minister leaves for ill deputy Zubova ...
Czech agency against Romany ghettoes to open in March ...
Greens not to change stance on president after meeting Klaus ... and ethnic minorities Dzamila Stehlikova (junior government Greens, SZ) soon to discuss his plan with her. "It is my ambition that my plan is approved by the government and that European money is distributed on its basis," Cunek said. He said his work on the plan was interrupted by his five-months absence from the government after he had to resign from his government postes in November due to corruption allegations. According to Cunek, a commission is working at the Local Development Ministry that deals with these questions. Cunek in the past was criticised by human rights advocates and his coalition partners, especially the Greens, over his approach to Romanies. In 2006 the Town Hall of the north Moravian town of Vsetin at which he was mayor evicted several Romany families from their homes and resettled them either to the outskirts of the town or to other regions. Last spring Cunek said in the tabloid Blesk that to receive social benefits people must "get sunburnt" (alluding to Romanies' skin colour), "make a mess with their family and put up fires on town squares." Later, Cunek apologised for his statements. This January Cunek said that the traditional Romany culture and its values contradicted the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. He said the situation of Romanies could only improve and they would only be successfully integrated in the majority society if family ties in the large Romany families were weakened. Romany activists say it is scandalous that such controversial statements were pronounced by a Christian politician.
They called Cunek's words "an attack on Romanies' family values" and they perceive them as the Christian Democrats' withdrawal from their traditional policy.
(Ceske Noviny)
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