om the "problematic community" of Roma (US Department of State: "Czech Republic Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 1998").In response to the construction of the wall, Czech leaders including President Vclav Havel and Pavel Zřeck, the deputy interior minister, immediately called for its removal. The wall was ultimately dismantled in November 1999. According to the EU Commission's 2000 Progress Report, not only was the wall removed but a state subsidy of CSK (Czech koruna) 3.6 million (approximately USD 88,000) was provided to purchase the houses of those citizens who initiated the construction process.Other evidence of discrimination against the Roma can be seen in the rising incidents of racially motivated crime in the Czech Republic. Between 1997 and 1998, the number of members of extremist groups doubled to almost 10,000 people. In addition, 133 racially motivated crimes, mainly against Roma, were committed in 1998 (EC Progress Report, 1999).According to the Ministry of the Interior's 2000 "Report on Extremism," there was "a slight increase in the number of followers of extremist movements over the period 1998-1999." However, the increase in followers was significantly less than that reported in the previous year. The number of racially motivated crimes in 1999 also rose to 316, up from the 133 reported in 1998 (EC Progress Report, 2000).Recognizing the increase in extremist followers and the rising number of attacks against Roma in the Czech Republic, the government took active steps to combat the growing problems. In December 1999, the Czech government initiated the country's first ever anti-racism campaign. The government offered not only verbal support for the project but also allocated CSK 10 million (approximately USD 245,000) from the state's budget to support the campaign (EC Progress Report, 2000)....
