Hungary's mainstream and the Roma are locked into a "cold war", Hungary's minority ombudsman said in an interview to Saturday's Nepszava.

Kallai called on the parliamentary parties hold a national summit to discuss the Roma issue as a matter of urgency.

"Everybody is suspicious of everyone else; everyone hates the other," said Erno Kallai.

A man and his child were shot dead last week in what appears to have been the latest in a series of attacks on the Roma. It has not yet been established whether Monday's attack was racially motivated. But the attack bore similarities to other attacks, say Roma leaders.

"Of course it is still possible for things to go further downhill; it is possible that commit mass murder will be committed, but we should really not wait for that," Kallai added.

Roma communities have a chance to survive only if their children are made to finish school, Kallai said.

"Roma adults will spend the rest of their lives in public community work unless a miracle happens," he said.