The task of a newly-established group of professionals and experts is to thoroughly and systematically work toward eliminating racially motivated crimes in Slovakia. The group met for the first time at the Slovak Police Corps Headquarters on January 16. An advisory body – the Interdepartmental Expert Body for the Fight against Terrorism - was also established, and will be headed by Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák.
The advisory body will coordinate cooperation between the group and other sectors. On the agenda of Wednesday's meeting were procedural proposals, the group's operation, and the formation of specialized working groups. The meeting is to continue next week.
"We think that extremism in Slovakia is on a steep rise and the outcome of this meeting may have major importance to the public," Šarlota Pufflerová from the Citizen and Democracy NGO added.
Kaliňák listed the fight against extremism among his top priorities upon taking office in June 2006. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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