SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON RACISM TO VISIT CZECH REPUBLIC, ROMANIA AND HUNGARY

HR/99/89
17 September 1999


Maurice Glèlè-Ahanhanzo, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, will visit the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary from 19 to 30 September 1999 to examine the various forms of discrimination Roma communities face in these countries.

During the visit, the Special Rapporteur will discuss with the Governments concerned and with representatives of Roma organizations possible measures to address the situation. In the Czech Republic, he plans to goto Prague and to Usti nad Labem, where the city council has reportedly announced plans to erect a wall to demarcate apartments housing Roma. In Romania,
Mr. Glèlè-Ahanhanzo will visit Bucharest and Sibiu, where he intends to meet with the King of the Roma. The Special Rapporteur will complete his mission in Budapest, Hungary.

Since his appointment by the Commission on Human Rights in 1993, Mr. Glèlè-Ahanhanzo, a Professor of constitutional law and member of the Constitutional Court of Benin, has visited Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Kuwait, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. His mandate has just been renewed for three years, until 2003.