The original Roma community in the Czech lands was almost completely annihilated during the Second World War. After 1945, there was a large-scale movement of people of Roma origin from Slovakia into Bohemia. The Roma generally worked in unskilled occupations and were dispersed across the country, often being settled in the Czech border regions, including the Karlovy Vary area. The numerous post-war Roma migrant communities were uprooted from their traditional environments. Like other groups, the Roma community did not enjoy the status of a national minority. During the period of “normalisation” after 1968, the Roma were often pushed into “ghettos” on the outskirts of towns (for example, the Chánov housing estate), Roma children were transferred to special schools, and a decree of the Ministry of Health made it possible to sterilise Roma women without their consent.
Following the political changes of 1989, the consequences of the past became apparent. Many unskilled Roma found themselves unemployed as Czech industry underwent structural transformation. Racism also plays a role, manifesting itself in discrimination against Roma seeking employment – a persistent problem to this day.
In 1997, a permanent advisory and initiative body of the Czech government was established to address Roma affairs. Since 2010 it has been known as the Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs. The Council works systematically to promote the integration of Roma into society. The complex issue of so-called socially excluded localities, however, persists. The Roma became a state-recognised national minority under Act No. 273/2001.
In the 2021 census, 1,028 residents of the Karlovy Vary Region identified as being of Roma nationality, including 336 in the Karlovy Vary district. These figures, however, should be treated with caution. In the census, only part of the population who are identified as Roma by cultural characteristics declare Roma nationality. Some refrain from doing so because of negative experiences associated with declaring Roma origin. For this reason, the actual number of Roma in the regions (including the Karlovy Vary Region) is estimated to be higher. The Roma have long been represented on the Committee for National Minorities of the Karlovy Vary Regional Assembly. Each year, the Regional Authority shows its support for the Roma by flying the Roma flag on International Roma Day (8 April).