According to the Slovak government, the excessive number of Roma in "special schools" is due to a higher rate of inbreeding in their families, which leads to developmental disorders. This was in response to the EC proceedings against Slovakia for infringement of EU anti-discrimination legislation, against Roma children in schools. "We consider the government's argument, portraying Roma as a group with a characteristic 'socio-pathological' lifestyle, racist and discriminatory," reads a joint response from NGOs. The Slovak government, however, has not backed away from its statement.