Continued Hate Speech Against Roma in the Russian Media
19 March 2007
ERRC Action to Combat Anti-Romani Hate Speech in Russia
On 19 March 2007, the ERRC sent a letter of concern to Mr Konstantin Ernst, General Director of the Russian television channel First Channel, expressing concern about the linkage of Roma with crime in a programme entitled "Man and the law" and its contribution towards heightened levels of anti-Romani sentiment in Russia. In its letter, which was copied to the Director of the Federal Administration of Rosohrancultura, the ERRC urged Mr Ernst to refrain from broadcasting programmes that incite further hatred and intolerance of Roma. The full text of the letter is available:
- In English: Download it (zip file)!
- In Russian: Download it (zip file)!
The letter is a component of ongoing work by the ERRC in the Russian Federation to combat hate speech against Roma. Since 2006, the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs has supported ERRC work in the Russian Federation.
Persons wishing to express similar concerns are urged to contact:
Mr Konstantin Ernst
General Director, First Channel
Akademika Koroleva, 12, Moscow, 127427, Russia
Fax: +7 495 6151139
Mr Alexander Romanenkov
Deputy Director on supervision and control of the media
Federal Administration of Rosohrancultura
Malaya Nikitskaya str 12, Moscow, 123995, Russia
Fax: + 7 495 2905207
