Please find attached to this Response to Information Request a 12-page report entitled An Interim Assessment of Community Relations Affecting the Romany Minority in Brno. The report was prepared by British sociologist Dr. Robin Oakley, a consultant to the Council of Europe. During a visit to Brno in December 1997 Dr. Oakley met with a number of local government, police and Romani organizations. The report outlines the findings of Dr. Oakley's research trip and contains action recommendations for the Council of Europe and Brno city officials. Among other topics, the report includes information on Romani demography, societal stereo-types, local government and police relations with the Romani community, police recruitment from the Romani population, skinhead violence and the issue of criminality within the Romani community.

Also attached to this Response to Information Request is an unofficial translation of Czech Government Decision No. 192 on "Measures to enhance effectiveness of sanctions for and prevention of criminal offences and transgressions of advocating, disseminating and spreading extremist ideologies and attitudes and of activities of extremists groupings in the territory of the Czech Republic." These measures were adopted by the Czech government on 19 March 1998. This unofficial translation was provided by the Czech Embassy in Ottawa.

This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Government of the Czech Republic. 19 March 1998. "Measures to enhance effectiveness of sanctions for and prevention of criminal offences and transgressions of advocating, disseminating and spreading extremist ideologies and attitudes and of activities of extremist groupings in the territory of the Czech Republic." Unofficial translation sent to the IRB by the Czech Embassy in Ottawa.

Oakley, Robin. December 1997. Report to the Council of Europe and the City of Brno, Czech Republic: An Interim Assessment of Community Relations Affecting the Romany Minority in Brno. Report sent to the IRB by the Czech Embassy in Ottawa.