MIGRATION ISSUES Czech and Slovak Republics

Overview of research on migration tendencies from CZ GAC 2000 for IOM; Ministry of Interior, Autumn Main motives for migration 2. Who leaves 3. Attitude of Roma towards migration 4. How well are Roma informed about situation abroad and asylum procedures in the target country 5. Forecast of further development 6. Numbers of persons who migrated

1. Main motives for migration GAC 2000 Bad social situation of Roma in the CR They do not feel secure in the CR Government 2002 Economic reasons Hopeless economical and social situation in the CR Discrimination and unequal behavior Extortion

2. Who leaves GAC 2000 More active Roma, who are informed about asylum procedures Those who have family abroad Government 2002 Roma who have rather better than worse position in the social hierarchy

3. Attitudes of Roma to migration GAC 2000 Positive, even in case of unsuccessful result, which they count on and thus keep social ties in the CR Government 2002 Positive, even in case of unsuccessful result

4. Forecast of further development GAC 2000 Roma will continue to solve the unsatisfactory state of affairs in the CR through emigration Government 2002 Roma will continue to migrate, because it is not possible in the short-term perspective to make provisions, which would improve their status in the CR.

5. How well are Roma informed about situation abroad and asylum procedures in the target country GAC 2000 Very well, information is being spread within Romani communities Government 2002 Very well, in some aspects Romani migration has elements of organized work, especially in giving information and know-how on asylum procedures.

6. Number of persons who migrated GAC 2000 Not known, Czech public administration does not have enough information, Roma keep their departures secret Government 2002 Not known, none of competent offices has an idea how many Roma emigrated, which, among other things, means that state is not prepared for their massive return.

Migration of Slovak Roma Situation in Slovakia, Impact on Czech Republic 2. Migration types 3. Push factors 4. Pull factors 5. Hindering factors 6. Starting migration factors: non-asylum vs asylum 7. Proposed solutions

1. Situation in Slovakia and CR Roma in Slovakia 127 tho in Slovak colonies, shacks ECRI 3 rd country report (27 Jan 04) > 1000 asylum claimants in CZ in Non- asylum migration Estimates: of Slovak immigrants in CR - not confirmed

ECRI In Slovakia, racially-motivated violence, including serious acts of police brutality continues. The Roma minority remains severely disadvantaged in most areas of life, particularly in the fields of housing, employment and education. ECRI also calls for a full, transparent and impartial investigation into the recent allegations concerning sterilisations of Roma women without their full and informed consent

2. Migration types Unregistered migrants Temporary employment migration Asylum seekers Multiple and variable

3. Migration push factors increased numbers of Romani settlements and their expansion; high birth-rate reduction of the maximum level of social benefits provided to one assessed family to 10,500 Slovak crowns (£200/month) escalation of usury practices and their toleration from the part of the state administration bodies unrealistic expectations based on the approaching EU accession

4. Migration pull factors in CZ family solidarity increasing number of spatially segregated localities with a predominantly Romani population (ghettoisation) opportunities to find employment, including illegal practices shelter and food provided in the asylum camps

5. Factors hindering migration decreasing kinship solidarity unimplemented liberalization of the housing market which might offer more affordable accommodation stagnation at the labour market, especially that of construction work and trenching continuing competition at the labour market, caused especially by foreigners from the former Soviet Union (in spite of the introduction of visa requirements for the Ukraine) presence of foreigners in the asylum camps who may incite cultural conflicts

6. Starting migration factors non-asylum asylum Joining the family/ seeking partner Return to Bohemia Loss of housing Employment migration Better life prospects Domestic violence Usury (“Loan-sharking”) “Loan-sharking” connected with loss of housing Loss of housing Discrimination Return to Bohemia Domestic violence