BRATISLAVA, November 10 (WEBNOVINY) — SDKU-DS MP Ludovit Kanik says that considerable importance will be attached to solving the problems of the Roma minority in Slovakia in party’s election program. “Saying that all it takes to deal with this problem is a small yard and a long whip far from enough,” said Kanik at a press meeting on Thursday. He opines that this issue really calls for feasible solutions that would consistently deal with the alarming situation. He further said that this was not just a campaign and election issue but a systematic resolution of the problem.
Kanik reminded that when he assumed the post of Minister of Labor and Social Affairs before 2006, many people were reserved about this issue. He noted that while he served in the ministerial post, the system of payout of several benefits was revised. “All they needed was to have many children and income for the whole family was secured,” he stated.
SDKU-DS MP Stefan Kuzma has also been engaged in this problem for six years now. “We need to learn to hold a different view of problems of the Roma settlements. These settlements are expanding. There are many neglected children there,” he emphasized.
Both MPs have prepared a revision to the construction law aimed at putting an end to illegal constructions on other person’s private property. “We want to protect citizens against actions of inadaptable citizens,” stated Kanik. Although authorities enable remedial measures today, these are lengthy and ineffective. MPs therefore suggest that if a building is placed on somebody else’s property and the land owner asks the construction office for its removal, the municipality would be obliged to remove the structure within 60 days since the construction office’s decision takes effect on costs of object’s builder. If a municipality does not take any action, it will be obliged to pay property’s owner a fine of EUR 100 for every month. “Resolute decision and a remedy are inevitable. We expect construction of illegal objects will stop and will be nipped in the bud,” stressed Kanik and added that the revision would apply only to illegal constructions built after the revision to the law takes effect.
Kuzma thinks that the revision is only a small step on the road to changing approach towards the Roma community. “Can we have two categories of people? Try to build something on other person’s property. All people in material need are above the law, they do not have to pay fines for the caused damage or child support,” warned Kuzma. He pointed out that massive land occupation is mostly taking place in eastern Slovakia and Rome settlements are expanding uncontrollably without any possibility of action to be taken. “Currently effective law is ineffective. Fines cannot be collected from people in material need. Fines are not even imposed today because they cannot be claimed. People are thus losing property while being mocked by those behind illegal constructions. The situation has reached the point where no other solution is at hand,” stressed Kuzma.
SITA