The Roma Coalition Party (SRK), a political party representing Slovakia’s Roma minority, has criticised an event being organised in Šarišské Michaľany on Saturday, August 8, by far-right group Slovenská Pospolitosť, describing it as a pretence to stir ethnic riots and violence between Roma and non-Roma.
In its statement the Republican Council of the SRK denounces such activities and calls on the relevant authorities to monitor the march, which it says is targeted at the ethnic minority that lives in and near Šarišské Michaľany. The Roma Initiative of Slovakia (RIS) has also expressed fears about the planned event.
The event is being advertised as a response to an attack, allegedly by two Roma youths (aged 14 and 16), on a non-Roma man (aged 65) in Šarišské Michaľany on August 1. The victim was left unconscious and lost an eye as a result of the attack. The SRK has condemned the incident, which happened at a football stadium, and agrees that the attackers should be punished, but that this should be a matter for the investigative and judicial system. “It is not in compliance with Slovak laws to ascribe collective guilt to all Roma living in this locality,” the SRK stated.
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
