It started with Janov

Since the visas were lifted in the middle of 2007, three thousand Czechs have applied for asylum in Canada. Why?
I would divide the reasons in three groups. First - economic reasons: permeability of the Canadian asylum system including the possibility to receive social benefits. Then it is a long-term discrimination at the local level, such as the illegal seizure of social allowances in Chomutov. It culminated into increased activities of the far right that the Roma are experiencing in our country. We have recorded an increase in applications for Canadian asylum from dozens to hundreds since November of last year, that means, since the pogrom attempt in Janov. Then we can see more frequent marches and gatherings of extremist groups in Czech towns. Here, there is a direct link to Roma departures to Canada.

Roman Krištof, former head of the office of the government council for Roma affairs, said that behind the Roma emigration to Canada was clear and organised business. He said this based on a report that he worked out in Canada.

There was a discussion on that already when former human rights and minorities minister Džamila Stehlíková was in office. Nevertheless, the information that we have is that there are no organised departures to Canada. Minister Kocáb discussed it with his colleagues at the ministry, and they could not confirm it either. I cannot comment on Mr Krištof's…