The majority of Roma in the Czech Republic are socially and economically disadvantaged. Many face long-term unemployment and even when jobs are available to them they face discrimination both personally and in the employment system. The general living conditions of the majority of the Roma population are poor and Roma groups are some of the most socially disadvantaged in Czech society.

Roma are also faced with prejudice in the spheres of education, housing and the legal system. Often Roma can find themselves excluded from public and private services. In general, the Roma population are subjected on a daily basis to prejudice and discrimination, both overt and latent. The protection of rights and of physical people through the law is minimal or non-existent.

In the last few years there has been a rise in the number of right-wing movements and organisations, there have been increasing amounts of antigypsyism sentiment voiced in the media, and there have been numerous marches and attacks focused against Roma individuals, communities and groups.

Konexe was founded in 2012. It brought together Roma groups from across the Czech Republic, with the aim of providing assistance to one another and other Roma in similar contexts, particularly in times of crisis. One of the key aspects of Konexe is that as an organisation they reject social integrationist policies that target Roma groups. They believe that such policies objectify Roma people. Konexe works on promoting Roma groups as actors and partners in society and they have adopted an inclusive partnership approach in relation to Roma issues.

Konexe as an organisation is still growing. At the beginning of 2015 there were approximately 81 declared members, of whom 25 are regularly active. Around 75 members are Roma, most living in situations of social exclusion. Some of the members are non-Roma. A large part of the work of Konexe is concentrated on Roma young people; therefore most of the Konexe activists are young Roma and non-Roma.

The key work of Konexe is active and immediate response to threats and unjust situations that affect Roma communities. In 2013, for example, Konexe activists travelled all over the Czech Republic supporting Roma groups and communities who were identified as targets of racially motivated demonstrations. Konexe also developed ‘Blokujeme!’ (‘Let’s Block the Marches!’), which functions as a platform for supporting antiracist activities in the Czech Republic. Working alongside Roma and non-Roma citizens and organisations, Konexe represents an example of civic courage, based on the defence of human rights.

Konexe does not just go to a situation and then leave; they spend time with the threatened group or community providing psychological and social support to the affected Roma people. In 2013 specifically they had a multidisciplinary team, including psychologists, sociologists and social workers, who would intervene wherever necessary throughout the summer period, which saw almost weekly racist actions that year.

Konexe also supports the communities with advice and assistance in organising and preparing for future demonstrations. This work includes providing training on non-violent action and how to safely and peacefully deal with potentially violent situations. They also support the organisation and implementation of counter demonstrations.

Beyond emergency interventions, the activists develop long-term activities such as Roma Holocaust remembrance, advocacy for the victims of discrimination, support for the victims of forced evictions and the development of advocacy methods. In the future, the organisation intends to build a professional emergency support team.

Another role that Konexe has adopted is to inform international organisations about the situation of Roma in the Czech Republic. It contributes at the European level to the drafting of measures and strategies against the growth of hatred and racism. Konexe has also become actively involved with international networks and activities. They are an active member of EGAM (European Grassroots Antiracist Movement), have taken part in supporting migrant demonstrations against the rise of Golden Dawn in Athens, and were involved in a “night of protest” in Budapest, Hungary.

Konexe has no state funding and as such is financially reliant on NGOs and international donors. However the organisation is promoting innovative approaches with a particular emphasis on youth participation and self-organisation.

Most of the young people Konexe works with are teenagers living in ghetto conditions and extreme poverty; violence and discrimination are daily challenges faced by these young people. The primary step to participation of young Roma is that Konexe makes itself and its work visible and open; as a result, many young people are attracted to it and come to see what is happening. Young Roma are also a part of the teams of people who go to the different settlements; this also attracts other young people.

Another key factor in Roma youth participation, and one that Konexe promotes and is insistent on, is that as an organisation they listen to the young Roma and respond to them as equals; this, more than anything, creates not just a sense of participation but allows the young Roma to actually live that participation. As the young people influence Konexe, they also see that they can have an influence and say in their communities.

Konexe’s approach of responding with commitment to threatening and unjust situations provides a useful model of radical youth work. Through their participation, the young people are motivated to challenge discrimination, the violation of human rights, and violence against Roma.

Once a group in a threatened community is organised, Konexe works with them to become self-organised and autonomous. They are encouraged to further promote the participation of young people in their own and wider social contexts and so offer young Roma the opportunity of social integration. The groups, often consisting largely of young people, are also encouraged to be self-determining with regard to their own needs. Konexe provides tools and educational activities for Roma people and groups to deal with the challenges of employment, education and security. The young people consistently show that through self-organisation and participation they are able to engage usefully and appropriately with issues relating to their access to rights and justice for all.

The results of direct action and longer-term lobbying by both the autonomous groups and Konexe itself have seen the inclusion of the anti-Roma attacks brought onto the political agenda and a political mobilisation of citizens in local elections.

De La Negra

A specific example of the work of Konexe that resulted in an innovative and powerful expression of youth participation is De La Negra from Krupka. This is a politically engaged rap group, the oldest members of which are also members of Konexe. In 2013, De La Negra performed during the anti-Roma marches in neighbourhoods targeted by the demonstrations. They rapped about the dangerous situations in a number of towns. During that year, De La Negra went on to perform a tour of concerts all over the Czech Republic. In the summer of 2013, De La Negra also visited Roma settlements in Slovakia, where they supported a project against segregation walls. There was a De La Negra tour of Germany early in 2014. De La Negra also performed in Strasbourg in June of that year, and in Vienna in November.