United Nations Radio

Two UN human rights experts Thursday expressed grave concern over the recent rise in anti-Roma sentiment and violent incidents in several European countries.

UN Independent Expert on minority issues, Ms. Gay McDougall says "effective action is required to stem the growing tide of hostility, anti-Roma sentiment and violence across Europe."

She warns that "where a hard-core of extremism exists in society and is willing to perpetrate violence, the full force of the criminal justice system must be used to protect targeted populations."

Ms. McDougal says "extremists may feel they have license for their attacks when the message they receive from government activities in other spheres is also that the Roma are a problem." She calls on Governments to strongly condemn such actions.

Meanwhile, the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, Mr. Githu Muigai, stressed that "such actions reveal serious and deep-rooted problems of racism and discrimination against Roma at the heart of modern Europe that must be addressed in the most vigorous manner and through the rule of law."

In the latest incident on 17 November, far right supporters armed with stones and petrol bombs besieged a Roma community in the Czech town of Litvinov and were prevented from attacking the community only by a concerted police response.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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