Today Commissioner Muižnieks published a letter he addressed to Mr Bohuslav Sobotka, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, focusing on certain issues pertaining to the human rights of Roma and of persons with disabilities.
In his letter the Commissioner notably reiterates his recommendation to establish an extra-judicial mechanism for compensating Roma women who were victims of forced sterilizations and stresses the need to improve Roma’s access to inclusive education and to adequate housing. He also calls on the government to redouble its efforts to combat and eradicate anti-Gypsyism. In this context, he urges the authorities to remove the pig farm from the site of the former Nazi concentration camp in Lety, so as to provide a dignified memorial for the Roma murdered there.
Lastly, whilst welcoming the latest changes of the Civil Code concerning legal capacity of persons, Commissioner Muižnieks calls on the Czech Republic to take resolute action in favor of de-institutionalization of persons, including children, with disabilities in order to enable them to live independently and be integrated in their communities.