Attacks against Roma in Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic
15 January 2012
Since January 2008, in Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, anti-Roma violence has gained significant prominence in the media.
The attacks listed below, involving firebombing, shooting, stabbing, beating and other acts of violence, have already taken the lives of eight people and have left dozens of others with serious injuries. Many of the attacks have targeted families and children.
The attacks in these three countries since January 2008 have occurred in an increasingly racist climate. These countries have seen a strengthening of extremist and openly racist groups, which spread hate speech and organising anti-Romani marches through the very same villages where people are being attacked or killed.
For the most part, there have been no successful prosecutions of offenders in these attacks. This list of attacks is not exhaustive and does not address the state response to the attacks. The ERRC has not independently verified all of the information contained in these media reports.
Attacks against Roma in Hungary January 2008-July 2011
Attacks against Roma in the Czech Republic January 2008-January 2012
Attacks against Roma in the Slovak Republic January 2008-December 2010
For further information, please contact: Sinan Gokcen, ERRC Information Officer, +36.1.413.2244
