Brussels, 04/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - Responding to the racist and anti-Roma discourse frequently heard from leading politicians and the media in the Czech Republic which continue to provide a platform for anti-Gypsy-ism, Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg recommends the adoption of a raft of measures to counter this anti-Gypsy-ism. In a report published on Thursday 3 March, following his visit to the Czech Republic on 17-19 November 2010, he recommends promoting active self-regulation, to effectively address and eliminate racist and stigmatising speech against Roma in politics and the media, and he says that vigorous implementation of the relevant criminal provisions must be ensured. In order to address the apparent under-reporting of hate crimes, the commissioner calls on the Czech authorities to establish a more flexible and victim-friendly system for reporting such incidents. He also notes the need for training and other awareness raising activities for those involved in the criminal justice system, from the police to prosecutors and judges. He recommends, too, a coherent system of social housing and strengthened efforts to desegregate Roma localities. For further information, go to: commissioner.coe.int (G.B./transl.rt)