Bihariová: Pollák's Roma reform only placates public demand

The ten pillars of the Roma reform package introduced by the new government proxy for Roma, Peter Pollák, earlier in September are politically motivated and designed to mollify the emotional state of mind of the public, said Iveta Bihariová of People against Racism during a meeting of NGOs, Roma activists and politicians organised by Pollák on Monday, October 8.

The ten pillars of the Roma reform package introduced by the new government proxy for Roma, Peter Pollák, earlier in September are politically motivated and designed to mollify the emotional state of mind of the public, said Iveta Bihariová of People against Racism during a meeting of NGOs, Roma activists and politicians organised by Pollák on Monday, October 8.

"I think that these themes do not aspire to draw the marginalised communities out from a social miasma, but rather to placate public demand. I even dare to say that this attitude will be doomed to failure right from the beginning," cautioned Bihariová, adding that the Pollák-sponsored measures are discriminatory towards the Roma.

Bihariova also finds it hilarious that the proxy is asking representatives of the third sector to propose their suggestions towards tackling the situation of the Roma in Slovakia now, when the reform - involving some 100 measures - is close to completion and is due to be published on October 15. "I don't really know to what extent or whether we can influence the contents of the programme. If the intention of Mr. Pollak to discuss the matter with the third sector is true, we'd like to participate in it, but in the form of a working group, not via such a PR show," said Bihariová as quoted by the TASR newswire.

In his reaction, Pollák said that he intends to read the proposals of the NGOs and take them into account before completing the drafting of the bill. The government proxy last week invited all involved parties to hold talks vis-a-vis the problems plaguing the Slovak Roma.

(Source: TASR)
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.

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