Czech Republic to compensate forcibly sterilized Roma women

The Czech Government Human Rights Council has recommended compensation for women subjected to forced sterilization. Although the sickening practice occurred mainly during the communist era, cases have been recorded within the last five years. State sponsored sterilization schemes were apparently targeted primarily at Roma populations and several NGOs have held long running campaigns over the issue. Reported methods of coercion include the threat of children being taken into state care. It is yet another shameful example in Europe's long chronicle of state backed anti – Roma outrages. Forced sterilization took place elsewhere in Eastern Europe and NGOs hope other governments in the region will follow the Czech Republic's lead. The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), the Group of Women Harmed by Forced Sterilization and Life Together sent a joint letter to the Czech government welcoming the move. However, the recommendations do not go far enough; the NGOs want unconditional compensation as opposed to the Czech Government's offer to compensate women forcibly sterilized between January 1971 and May 1991, as well as women illegally sterilized since 1981 who have failed to win compensation in the courts. The NGOs urged the Czech government “to grant compensation to all potential victims of unlawful sterilization in the Czech Republic irrespective of their age, ethnicity, nationality or the particular period when they underwent sterilization.” The practice of forced or coerced sterilization has continued, according to the ERRC, which has documented cases up to 2007. The Czech Government officially “expressed regret” over the issue in 2009 and the campaign to win justice for victims goes on. Roma activists claim forced sterilization has been practiced in Romania, as well as Hungary and Bulgaria, but there is a consensus of opinion that the Czech Republic and Slovakia were the worst offenders. Find out more on the ERRC website.