Prague, Aug 20 (CTK) – The Czech human rights and education ministers, Jiri Dienstbier and Katerina Valachova, as well as Deputy Prime Minister for Science Pavel Belobradek supported the scientists’ call for toleration of refugees before a government meeting yesterday.
“I fully identify with it,” said Belobradek (junior government Christian Democrats, KDU-CSL) about the petition that he signed on the Internet, along with some 4000 supporters outside the academic circles.
Dienstbier (senior government Social Democrats, CSSD) said the scientists rightly pointed out that the danger of spreading xenophobic moods was a more serious threat to democracy than the immigrants.
Valachova (for CSSD) said she was prepared to debate the call with President Milos Zeman at their meeting on Friday.
Zeman made critical comments on refugees from the Middle East and Africa.
“It is positive that part of the Czech elites has clearly stood up against the spreading of hatred,” said Dienstbier, commenting on the petition in which scientists from various fields call for a rational debate about migration and the risks connected with it.
In the petition, over 2500 scientists and university tutors also warned the public of making rash judgements and of manipulative statements by some politicians and media provoking the mounting hatred of immigrants.
Dienstbier said he shared the academics’ views.
Valachova said education can help lower tension in society. She added that her office should see to it that children have enough information at schools to really secure an efficient fight with xenophobia.
Zeman’s stance on immigrants is at variance with the scientists’ petition.
In early August, Zeman said in an interview with the Blesk.cz server that no one had invited the refugees to the Czech Republic and that they should respect the rules of this country or leave.
His spokesman Jiri Ovcacek criticised on Tuesday the scientists’ call, saying it deepens the gap between Czech society and the elites.
Zeman has not yet commented on their petition.
