Androulla Vassiliou tells Košice it must pull down Roma segregation wall without delay.
Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture,
Multilingualism and Youth, has sharply criticised the authorities in
Kosice (Slovakia) for constructing a wall to segregate the city's Roma
community.
In a letter to the city's Mayor, Richard Raši, the Commissioner states
that she was disappointed to read reports about the wall in Košice
Zapad.
'I strongly believe that the construction of physical barriers
represents a breach with the values on which our European Union is
founded, notably respect for human dignity and human rights, including
those of people belonging to minorities. The Union has always been
strongly committed to fighting all forms of racism and xenophobia. And
the European Commission is always ready to take action, within the
remit of its competences, to reaffirm the principle of non-
discrimination.
An initiative intended to achieve, or merely resulting in, segregation
of populations is also at odds with the very raison d’être of the
title of “European Capital of Culture”, which seeks to highlight the
richness and diversity of European cultures and to promote deeper
mutual understanding between European citizens.
"Košice, European Capital of Culture 2013” committed to involve
minorities in its programming through its strategic line Open Public
Space and to include specific events concentrating on Roma culture.
This was one of the main elements that determined the selection of the
city for the 2013 title and one that must be implemented as planned in
the bid.', stated Commissioner Vassiliou.
In reply to the Commissioner the Mayor Raši said that the wall had
been illegally constructed and was an "unpleasant surprise" for him.
He said that the wall was initiated by the authorities of the suburb
of Kosice Zapad, which is under the control of former Mayor of the
city, Rudolf BAUER.
Commissioner Vassiliou is now insisting that the authorities of Košice
remove the wall without delay.
