According to the internet publication Central Europe Online, a December 1997 issue of the Czech weekly Tyden states that the "sterilization of Romani women in the former Czechoslovakia under guidelines 'in the interest of a healthy population' went on for 31 years, from 1958 to 1990" (CEO 16 Dec. 1997). The sterilization programme was reportedly coordinated by the Ministries of Health and Labour and Social Affairs, with the government's commission for the Romani population (ibid.). The report further states that some women were paid for undergoing the operation while others were unknowingly sterilized in hospitals immediately after the birth of a child (ibid.). According to one doctor quoted in the Tyden article, sterilizations were performed as soon as 48 hours after women gave birth, "otherwise no one would have been able to get them back into hospital again" (ibid.). Please see the Central Europe Online attachment for further details.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Central Europe Online (CEO) [Prague]. 16 December 1997. "Czech Weekly Says Romany Women Sterilized for 31 Years." [Internet] [Accessed 16 Dec. 1997]

Central Europe Online (CEO) [Prague]. 16 December 1997. "Czech Weekly Says Romany Women Sterilized for 31 Years." [Internet] [Accessed 16 Dec. 1997]