PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech government is working on a plan to compensate Roma women sterilized against their will.

The government says Human Rights Minister Jiri Dienstbier should complete the necessary legislation by the end of the year. Details are still to be worked out.

Human rights groups believe hundreds of Roma women were sterilized without their consent.

Under communism, sterilization was a semiofficial tool to limit the population of Roma, or Gypsies. But the practice continued after the end of communism in 1989, according to a 2005 report by the national ombudsman.

The government apologized to the women in 2009 but no compensation was paid and they have to sue hospitals in individual lawsuits. The Czech League for Human Rights said Wednesday they are aware of just three women who won compensation.

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