Roma representatives ask Heger to consider dismissing Kumanova – SME.sk

BRATISLAVA. Representatives of Roma civil society called on the prime minister Eduard Heger (OĽANO) to consider, together with the ministers, the dismissal of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Zuzana Kumanová, at Wednesday’s government meeting.

They ask for it in an open letter signed by more than 40 Roma personalities.

“We are convinced that the nomination of Mrs. Kuman was an excellent step and that her work as Secretary of State gave the Roma the hope that they would be accepted at the highest level in this country.” in the letter, university teachers, journalists, activists, mayors, but also Roma artists said.

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They also pointed out that Kuman, as an ethnographer in 2019, received an award from the then president Andreja Kisku.

They emphasized that she was the highest-ranking Roma woman in the state administration and the only Roma woman who took part in the government’s deliberations when she represented the Minister of Culture.

Furthermore, as Secretary of State, she supported, among other things, minority culture, regional culture and cultural diplomacy.

They also emphasized that her nomination for the post of state secretary was noticed last year by many foreign media, which appreciated that the Roma in Slovakia would be represented in the government for the first time.

The motion to dismiss should appear on the government’s agenda on Wednesday. Kumanová herself wants to comment on the whole matter only then, the minister should also comment on the government.

The decision on the replacement of the position of State Secretary falls within the competence of the For People party in accordance with the coalition agreement. This was announced by the party chairwoman and the minister of investment Veronika Remišová. She denied that the current Secretary of State Zuzana Kumanová would be dismissed for a different opinion.

According to Remišová, the change in post should support the educational dimension of culture. She confirmed that Viera Leščáková, Vice-President for People, was to take office.