President Havel: Expressed concern at checks

Opposition to the policy grew when a secretly-filmed Czech television report showed a journalist of Roma origin being refused permission to make a tourist trip to London, while his non-Roma colleague was allowed on her way.

Only this week, representatives of the Roma minority had urged the European Union to intervene and ask the UK to end the policy.

Czech President Vaclav Havel and ex-Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus had also raised concerns.

The joint statement from the UK and Czech authorities said the checks had resulted in a dramatic drop in asylum claims, and might be reintroduced if necessary.

The introduction of the checks was a clear signal that the abuse of British immigration and asylum procedures is unacceptable

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kavan

"The checks were always seen as a flexible measure... and that is why they will be suspended on August 9," it said.

"The introduction of the checks was a clear signal that the abuse of British immigration and asylum procedures is unacceptable."

The British embassy says more than 120 people have been turned back since the checks begun. No figures have been released on their ethnic background, but most are believed to be Roma.

As concern about the checks grew, human rights monitors were allowed to observe the policy in action. The Czech Helsinki Committee (CHV), which witnessed the checks on Monday, said everyone was allowed through, but there were no Roma even seeking to make the journey.

Observers believe they have sought different routes to the United Kingdom.

'Discrimination'

But the group says Czech Airlines (CSA) has also turned back several Roma who had valid tickets for Ireland. The CHV said the company had no right to do this.

Hundreds of Roma have sought asylum in Britain in recent years, saying they face racial discrimination in the Czech Republic.

British officials say that, of the last 4,000 such requests, only eight have been granted on humanitarian grounds.