Inter-Ethnic Conflicts (Their Causes and Effects with Regard to Theory and Empirical Research) 2002-2003 (From Selected Results of Research Activities of ICSP in the Years 2002-2004, P 107-118, 2005, Zdenek Karabec and Miroslav Scheinost, eds., -- See NCJ-212001)

• NCJ Number: 212009
• Author(s): Marketa Stechova PhDr.; Mgr. Katerina Danielova; Mgr. Lucie Jarkovska; Mgr. Petr Kotulan; Ondrej Stech; Mgr. Lukas Urban; Lada Veverkova Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: Institute of Criminology and Social Prevention
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Czech Republic

Annotation

This study examined the problem of inter-ethnic conflict in the Czech Republic.

Abstract

The problem of inter-ethnic conflict in the Czech Republic is multifaceted, involving psychological, social, economic, and legal policy factors. The current research sought to elucidate the legal, social, and psychological causes of inter-ethnic conflict in the Czech Republic. Data included a survey of the opinions and attitudes of police officers, police statistics for the period 1997 through 2001, judicial records, findings from psychological examinations, psychiatric expert opinions, depictions of inter-ethnic conflict in the media, and semi-standardized interviews with ethnic minority members from the Roma community. The findings indicate that racially motivated crime increased slightly during the study period. Characteristics of offenders are described, including their psychological profile which is identified as intellectually below average. Media depictions of inter-ethnic conflict overwhelmingly focused on racially motivated crime committed by a Czech national against a Roma. Findings from the interviews with Roma members indicated their feelings of discrimination within society and the conflict between Roma and the police. Findings from the police officer questionnaire underscore the problem of racism among Czech police officers. In closing the authors note the lack of training to prepare officers to work with Roma communities.