Socialists, LMP urge concrete measures in Roma inclusion

Budapest, February 23 (MTI) - Senior lawmakers of the opposition Socialist and LMP parties urge "concrete steps" to be taken by the government towards the social inclusion of Hungary s Roma, according to statements sent to MTI on Thursday, a day marking the killing of two Roma in Tatarszentgyorgy, central Hungary, three years ago.

On February 23 in 2009, Robert Csorba and his five-year-old son were killed by gunshots as they tried to escape from their Molotov-cocktailed home. The murder was part of a series of brutal attacks that killed six Roma people and seriously injured five others between July 2008 and August 2009.

Laszlo Teleki, board member of the Socialists, called for increased funding for programmes promoting higher education for Roma youth and opportunities on the job market and in public work schemes.

He also called for implementing programmes that promote employment of the Roma elite in public administration and carrying out Roma slum elimination and anti-segregation projects, using EU funds.

Timea Szabo of LMP, who is also deputy head of parliament s minority, legal and civil affairs committee, said the government s current policy of tightening law enforcement measures in connection with the Roma issue could in the long term lead to an escalation of the problem.

LMP instead urges concrete steps in creating equal chances for the Roma in education, real jobs and a more distinct steps against hate-crime.

On Thursday, commemorations take place remembering the serial killings of 2008-2009. A trial is still under way, the four suspects in detention await sentence expected in the autumn.