Czech Republic Press Survey

13 Jul 2009 |

• ‘Ceske Noviny’ – in two days in a row – published articles about the recent news of Canada reimposing visa on Czech citizens – after the number of refugee applications soared from that country. Canada’s liberal refugee policy, coupled with high welfare benefits certainly have a pull factor. Czech Roma travelled to Canada in increasing numbers and applied for refugee status. The article suggests that they may have had a good reason – after the neo-Nazi attacks. The other article – written by Josef Klima – argues that Romanies are not systematically persecuted in the Czech Republic and if they say so, they lie, and if they lie in their asylum application they should get no asylum. Unfortunately *both articles appear with a photo that strengthens stereotypes against Roma.

Related News:

• 15.07.09. Earth Times, Swedish EU presidency backs Canadian visa response – Summary
• 07.07.09 Globe and Mail, Canada reimposing visa controls to stop Roma asylum-seekers, Czech media say

Source : Ceske Noviny