Dzeno Association: Attacks against Roma in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Unprovoked aggression against Roma has occurred this past week in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia. On Saturday the 20th of November in Horovice, Czech Republic a Roma man, Miroslav Mezey was cutting wood in a nearby forest. While cutting wood, two non-Roma individuals started photographing Mezey, suspecting that he was illegally taking the wood. Mezey questioned the two non-Roma individuals as to why they were photographing him. Mezey stated that he had a permit to legally chop the wood; however the two non-Roma did not believe him and asked to see the permit. Mezey told them that he was only allowed to show his permit to the authorities and they should call the police if they wanted to see his permit. The police were called and while waiting, one of the non-Roma lost his nerve and started to attack Mezey using pepper spray. Once the police arrived, Mezey produced his permit and was taken to hospital in an ambulance. The non-Roma aggressor was taken to the police station where he was issued a minimal fine.