| CZECH REPUBLIC Czech Republic Ceska Republika Joined United Nations: 19 January 1993 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 12/15/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Prague
10,201,707 (July 2010 est.)
President elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a
second term); last successful election held 28 February 2003
Next scheduled election: February 2013
second term); last successful election held 28 February 2003
Next scheduled election: February 2013
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Prime Minister selected by the President and Deputy Prime Ministers
selected by the President on the advise of the Prime Minister.
Next scheduled election: 2013
selected by the President on the advise of the Prime Minister.
Next scheduled election: 2013
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Czech 90.4%, Moravian 3.7%, Slovak 1.9%, other 4% (2001 census)
| RELIGIONS |
Roman Catholic 26.8%, Protestant 2.1%, other 3.3%, unspecified 8.8%, unaffiliated 59% (2001 census)
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Parliamentary democracy with 13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city (hlavni mesto); Legal system is a civil law system
based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in line with
Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Executive: President elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last successful election held 15 February 2008
(after earlier elections held 8 and 9 February 2008 were inconclusive; next election to be held in February 2013); prime minister appointed
by the president;
Legislative: Bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to
serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held in two rounds on 17-18 and 24-25 October 2008 (next to be held by October 2010); Chamber of
Deputies - last held on 28-29 May 2010 (next to be held by 2014)
Judicial: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for a 10-year term
based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in line with
Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Executive: President elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last successful election held 15 February 2008
(after earlier elections held 8 and 9 February 2008 were inconclusive; next election to be held in February 2013); prime minister appointed
by the president;
Legislative: Bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to
serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held in two rounds on 17-18 and 24-25 October 2008 (next to be held by October 2010); Chamber of
Deputies - last held on 28-29 May 2010 (next to be held by 2014)
Judicial: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for a 10-year term
| LANGUAGES |
Czech 94.9%, Slovak 2%, other 2.3%, unidentified 0.8% (2001 census)
| BRIEF HISTORY |
The is little information or data regarding the earliest human habitation but archeological evidence suggested that the Prehistory of
the Czech Lands could have existed as far back as 700,000 BCE. Boii (Latin plural, singular Boius; Greek Βοιοι) is the Roman
name of an ancient Celtic tribe, attested at various times in Transalpine Gaul (modern France) and Cisalpine Gaul (northern Italy), as
well as in Pannonia (today Western Hungary), Bohemia, Moravia and western Slovakia. In the second half of the 3rd century BC,
the Boii allied with the other Cisalpine Gauls and the Etruscans against Rome. The burial rites of the Italian Boii show many
similarities with contemporary Bohemia, such as inhumation, which was uncommon with the other Cisalpine Gauls, or the absence of
the typically western Celtic torcs. This makes it much more likely that the Cisalpine Boii had actually originated from Bohemia rather
than the other way round. When the Romans finally conquered Pannonia in 8 AD, the Boii seem not to have opposed them. In the
2nd century AD, the Marcomanni entered into a confederation with other peoples including the Quadi, Vandals, and Sarmatians,
against the Roman Empire. This was probably driven by movements of larger tribes, like the Goths. According to the historian
Eutropius, the forces of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius battled against the Marcomannic confederation for three years at the fortress
of Carnuntum in Pannonia. The Christianization of the Marcomanni occurred under their queen Fritigil (mid fourth century), who
corresponded with Ambrose of Milan to bring about the conversion. After about 400 CE the old cremation burials typical of
Suevians like the Quadi disappear in Bohemia. The Quadi are among the mixture of peoples that evolved into the Bavarians. The
Slavs (Czech tribes in Bohemia and Moravians in Moravia) arrived in the sixth century. According to historian Dušan Třeštík, the
first Slavs came through Moravian Gate (Moravská brána) valley and in 530 moved into the eastern Bohemia and along rivers Labe
and Vltava further into central Bohemia. Many historians support theory of further wave of Slavs coming from the south during the
first half of the seventh century. Samo (died 658) was a Frankish merchant from the "Senonian country" (Senonago) (probably
modern Sens, France). He was the first ruler of the Slavs (623–658) whose name is known, and established one of the earliest
Slav states, a supra-tribal union usually called (King) Samo's empire, realm, kingdom, or tribal union. Archaeological findings
indicate that the "empire" was situated in present-day Moravia, Slovakia, Lower Austria and Carinthia. The settlements of the later
Moravian and Nitrian principalities (see Great Moravia) are often identical with those from the time of Samo's Empire. Great
Moravia was an empire existing in Central Europe between 833 and the early 10th century. It was inhabited and ruled by the
ancestors of modern Moravians and Slovaks. The core territory laid on both sides of the Morava river, in present-day Slovakia and
the Czech Republic, but the empire also extended into what are today parts of Hungary, Romania, Poland, Austria, Germany,
Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia and Ukraine. After freeing themselves from the rule of the Avars in the seventh century, Bohemia's Slavic
inhabitants came (in the ninth century) under the rule of the Přemyslid dynasty, which continued until 1306. With Bohemia's
conversion to Christianity in the ninth century, close relations were forged with the East Frankish kingdom, then part of the so-called
Carolingian empire, later the nucleus of the Holy Roman Empire of which Bohemia was an autonomous part from the beginning of
the 11th century (in 1002 duke Vladivoj succumbed to pressure of Roman king Henry II and received Bohemia as fief). The first to
use the title of "King of Bohemia" were the Přemyslid dukes Vratislav II (1085) and Vladislav II (1158), but their heirs again used
the title of duke. The title of king became hereditary (1198) under Ottokar I. His grandson Ottokar II (king from 1253–1278)
founded a short-lived empire which covered modern Austria and Slovenia. The mid-thirteenth century saw the beginning of
substantial German immigration as the court sought to replace losses from the brief Mongol invasion of Europe in 1241. The
Germans settled primarily along the northern, western, and southern borders of Bohemia, although many lived in towns throughout
the kingdom. The House of Luxembourg came to the Bohemian throne with the crowning of John I of Bohemia in 1310. After the
death of King Louis II of Hungary and Bohemia in the Battle of Mohács in 1526, Archduke Ferdinand of Austria became King of
Bohemia and the country became a constituent state of the Habsburg Monarchy. Bohemia enjoyed religious freedom between 1436
and 1620, and became one of the most liberal countries of the Christian world during that period of time. Until the so-called
"renewed constitution" of 1627, the German language was established as a second official language in the Czech lands. At the end
of the eighteenth century, the Czech national revivalist movement, in cooperation with part of the Bohemian aristocracy, started a
campaign for restoration of the kingdom's historic rights, whereby the Czech language was to replace German as the language of
administration. After World War I, Bohemia (as the biggest and most populated land) became the core of the newly-formed
country of Czechoslovakia, which combined Bohemia, Moravia, Austrian Silesia, Upper Hungary (present-day Slovakia) and
Carpathian Ruthenia into one state. Under its first president, Tomáš Masaryk, Czechoslovakia became a rich and liberal democratic
republic. Its territory included some of the most industrialized regions of the former Austria-Hungary. It was a democratic republic
throughout the pre-World War II period, but was characterized by ethnic problems due to the fact that the second and third largest
ethnic groups (Germans and Slovaks, respectively) were not satisfied with the political and economic dominance of the Czechs, and
that most Germans and Hungarians of Czechoslovakia had never really accepted the creation of the new state. After World War II,
pre-war Czechoslovakia was reestablished, the Beneš decrees concerned the expropriation of wartime "traitors" and collaborators
accused of treason but also all ethnic Germans (see Potsdam Agreement) and Hungarians. Carpathian Ruthenia was occupied by
(and in June 1945 formally ceded to) the Soviet Union. In 1946 parliamentary election the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia
emerged as the winner in the Czech lands (the Democratic Party won in Slovakia). In February 1948 the Communists seized
power. In 1968, in response to a brief period of liberalization, the Eastern Bloc countries invaded Czechoslovakia. In 1969,
Czechoslovakia was turned into a federation of the Czech Socialist Republic and Slovak Socialist Republic. Under the federation,
social and economic inequities between the Czech and Slovak halves of the state were largely eliminated. The 1970s saw the rise of
the dissident movement in Czechoslovakia, represented (among others) by Václav Havel. The movement sought greater political
participation and expression in the face of official disapproval, making itself felt by limits on work activities (up to a ban on any
professional employment and refusal of higher education to the dissidents' children), police harassment and even prison time. In
1989 the country became democratic again through the Velvet Revolution. This occurred at around the same time as the fall of
communism in Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland. Within three years communist rule had been totally eradicated from Europe.
Unlike Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, the end of communism in this country did not automatically mean the end of the
"communist" name: the word "socialist" was removed from the name on March 29, 1990, and replaced by "federal". In 1992, due
to growing nationalist tensions, Czechoslovakia finally ceased to exist. Its territory became the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which
were formally created on January 1, 1993. From 1991 the Czech Republic (originally as part of Czechoslovakia, and now in its
own right) has been a member of the Visegrad Group and from 1995 of the OECD. The Czech Republic joined NATO on March
12, 1999 and the European Union on May 1, 2004.
Source: Wikipedia: History of the Czech Lands
the Czech Lands could have existed as far back as 700,000 BCE. Boii (Latin plural, singular Boius; Greek Βοιοι) is the Roman
name of an ancient Celtic tribe, attested at various times in Transalpine Gaul (modern France) and Cisalpine Gaul (northern Italy), as
well as in Pannonia (today Western Hungary), Bohemia, Moravia and western Slovakia. In the second half of the 3rd century BC,
the Boii allied with the other Cisalpine Gauls and the Etruscans against Rome. The burial rites of the Italian Boii show many
similarities with contemporary Bohemia, such as inhumation, which was uncommon with the other Cisalpine Gauls, or the absence of
the typically western Celtic torcs. This makes it much more likely that the Cisalpine Boii had actually originated from Bohemia rather
than the other way round. When the Romans finally conquered Pannonia in 8 AD, the Boii seem not to have opposed them. In the
2nd century AD, the Marcomanni entered into a confederation with other peoples including the Quadi, Vandals, and Sarmatians,
against the Roman Empire. This was probably driven by movements of larger tribes, like the Goths. According to the historian
Eutropius, the forces of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius battled against the Marcomannic confederation for three years at the fortress
of Carnuntum in Pannonia. The Christianization of the Marcomanni occurred under their queen Fritigil (mid fourth century), who
corresponded with Ambrose of Milan to bring about the conversion. After about 400 CE the old cremation burials typical of
Suevians like the Quadi disappear in Bohemia. The Quadi are among the mixture of peoples that evolved into the Bavarians. The
Slavs (Czech tribes in Bohemia and Moravians in Moravia) arrived in the sixth century. According to historian Dušan Třeštík, the
first Slavs came through Moravian Gate (Moravská brána) valley and in 530 moved into the eastern Bohemia and along rivers Labe
and Vltava further into central Bohemia. Many historians support theory of further wave of Slavs coming from the south during the
first half of the seventh century. Samo (died 658) was a Frankish merchant from the "Senonian country" (Senonago) (probably
modern Sens, France). He was the first ruler of the Slavs (623–658) whose name is known, and established one of the earliest
Slav states, a supra-tribal union usually called (King) Samo's empire, realm, kingdom, or tribal union. Archaeological findings
indicate that the "empire" was situated in present-day Moravia, Slovakia, Lower Austria and Carinthia. The settlements of the later
Moravian and Nitrian principalities (see Great Moravia) are often identical with those from the time of Samo's Empire. Great
Moravia was an empire existing in Central Europe between 833 and the early 10th century. It was inhabited and ruled by the
ancestors of modern Moravians and Slovaks. The core territory laid on both sides of the Morava river, in present-day Slovakia and
the Czech Republic, but the empire also extended into what are today parts of Hungary, Romania, Poland, Austria, Germany,
Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia and Ukraine. After freeing themselves from the rule of the Avars in the seventh century, Bohemia's Slavic
inhabitants came (in the ninth century) under the rule of the Přemyslid dynasty, which continued until 1306. With Bohemia's
conversion to Christianity in the ninth century, close relations were forged with the East Frankish kingdom, then part of the so-called
Carolingian empire, later the nucleus of the Holy Roman Empire of which Bohemia was an autonomous part from the beginning of
the 11th century (in 1002 duke Vladivoj succumbed to pressure of Roman king Henry II and received Bohemia as fief). The first to
use the title of "King of Bohemia" were the Přemyslid dukes Vratislav II (1085) and Vladislav II (1158), but their heirs again used
the title of duke. The title of king became hereditary (1198) under Ottokar I. His grandson Ottokar II (king from 1253–1278)
founded a short-lived empire which covered modern Austria and Slovenia. The mid-thirteenth century saw the beginning of
substantial German immigration as the court sought to replace losses from the brief Mongol invasion of Europe in 1241. The
Germans settled primarily along the northern, western, and southern borders of Bohemia, although many lived in towns throughout
the kingdom. The House of Luxembourg came to the Bohemian throne with the crowning of John I of Bohemia in 1310. After the
death of King Louis II of Hungary and Bohemia in the Battle of Mohács in 1526, Archduke Ferdinand of Austria became King of
Bohemia and the country became a constituent state of the Habsburg Monarchy. Bohemia enjoyed religious freedom between 1436
and 1620, and became one of the most liberal countries of the Christian world during that period of time. Until the so-called
"renewed constitution" of 1627, the German language was established as a second official language in the Czech lands. At the end
of the eighteenth century, the Czech national revivalist movement, in cooperation with part of the Bohemian aristocracy, started a
campaign for restoration of the kingdom's historic rights, whereby the Czech language was to replace German as the language of
administration. After World War I, Bohemia (as the biggest and most populated land) became the core of the newly-formed
country of Czechoslovakia, which combined Bohemia, Moravia, Austrian Silesia, Upper Hungary (present-day Slovakia) and
Carpathian Ruthenia into one state. Under its first president, Tomáš Masaryk, Czechoslovakia became a rich and liberal democratic
republic. Its territory included some of the most industrialized regions of the former Austria-Hungary. It was a democratic republic
throughout the pre-World War II period, but was characterized by ethnic problems due to the fact that the second and third largest
ethnic groups (Germans and Slovaks, respectively) were not satisfied with the political and economic dominance of the Czechs, and
that most Germans and Hungarians of Czechoslovakia had never really accepted the creation of the new state. After World War II,
pre-war Czechoslovakia was reestablished, the Beneš decrees concerned the expropriation of wartime "traitors" and collaborators
accused of treason but also all ethnic Germans (see Potsdam Agreement) and Hungarians. Carpathian Ruthenia was occupied by
(and in June 1945 formally ceded to) the Soviet Union. In 1946 parliamentary election the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia
emerged as the winner in the Czech lands (the Democratic Party won in Slovakia). In February 1948 the Communists seized
power. In 1968, in response to a brief period of liberalization, the Eastern Bloc countries invaded Czechoslovakia. In 1969,
Czechoslovakia was turned into a federation of the Czech Socialist Republic and Slovak Socialist Republic. Under the federation,
social and economic inequities between the Czech and Slovak halves of the state were largely eliminated. The 1970s saw the rise of
the dissident movement in Czechoslovakia, represented (among others) by Václav Havel. The movement sought greater political
participation and expression in the face of official disapproval, making itself felt by limits on work activities (up to a ban on any
professional employment and refusal of higher education to the dissidents' children), police harassment and even prison time. In
1989 the country became democratic again through the Velvet Revolution. This occurred at around the same time as the fall of
communism in Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland. Within three years communist rule had been totally eradicated from Europe.
Unlike Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, the end of communism in this country did not automatically mean the end of the
"communist" name: the word "socialist" was removed from the name on March 29, 1990, and replaced by "federal". In 1992, due
to growing nationalist tensions, Czechoslovakia finally ceased to exist. Its territory became the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which
were formally created on January 1, 1993. From 1991 the Czech Republic (originally as part of Czechoslovakia, and now in its
own right) has been a member of the Visegrad Group and from 1995 of the OECD. The Czech Republic joined NATO on March
12, 1999 and the European Union on May 1, 2004.
Source: Wikipedia: History of the Czech Lands
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe.
Maintaining an open investment climate has been a key element of the Czech Republic's transition from a communist, centrally
planned economy to a functioning market economy. As a member of the European Union, with an advantageous location in the
center of Europe, a relatively low cost structure, and a well-qualified labor force, the Czech Republic is an attractive destination for
foreign investment. Prior to its EU accession in 2004, the Czech government harmonized its laws and regulations with those of the
European Union. The small, open, export-driven Czech economy grew by over 6% annually from 2005-2007 and by 2.5% in
2008. The conservative Czech financial system has remained relatively healthy throughout 2009. Nevertheless, the real economy
contracted by 4.1% in 2009, mainly due to a significant drop in external demand as the Czech Republic's main export markets fell
into recession.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Czech Republic)
Maintaining an open investment climate has been a key element of the Czech Republic's transition from a communist, centrally
planned economy to a functioning market economy. As a member of the European Union, with an advantageous location in the
center of Europe, a relatively low cost structure, and a well-qualified labor force, the Czech Republic is an attractive destination for
foreign investment. Prior to its EU accession in 2004, the Czech government harmonized its laws and regulations with those of the
European Union. The small, open, export-driven Czech economy grew by over 6% annually from 2005-2007 and by 2.5% in
2008. The conservative Czech financial system has remained relatively healthy throughout 2009. Nevertheless, the real economy
contracted by 4.1% in 2009, mainly due to a significant drop in external demand as the Czech Republic's main export markets fell
into recession.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Czech Republic)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
The Czech political scene supports a broad spectrum of parties ranging from the semi-reformed Communist Party on the far left to
various nationalistic parties on the extreme right. Generally, the (liberal) right beyond the specific case of huge and conservative
Civic Democratic Party is splintered and has failed in several attempts to unite.
As the system in Czech repeatedly produces very weak governments (a specific problem is that about 15% of the electorate
support the Communists, who are shunned by all the other parties) there is constant talk about changing it but without much chance
of really pushing the reform through. An attempt to increase majority elements by tweaking the system parameters (more smaller
districts, d'Hondt method used) by ČSSD and ODS during their "opposition agreement" 1998–2002 was vehemently opposed by
smaller parties and blocked by the Constitutional Court as going too much against the constitution-stated proportional principle; only
a moderated form was adopted. This, however led to a stalemate in 2006 elections where both the left and the right each gained
exactly 100 seats; as many commenters point out, the earlier system would have given the right 3-4 seats majority.
A government formed of a coalition of the ODS, KDU-ČSL, and the Green Party (SZ), and led by the leader of the ODS Mirek
Topolánek finally succeeded in winning a vote of confidence on January 19th, 2007. This was thanks to two members of the
ČSSD, Miloš Melčák and Michal Pohanka, who abstained.
In March 2006, the parliament overturned a veto by President Václav Klaus, and the Czech Republic became the first former
communist country in Europe to grant legal recognition to same-sex partnerships.
A government formed of a coalition of the ODS, KDU-ČSL, and the Green Party (SZ), and led by the leader of the ODS Mirek
Topolánek finally succeeded in winning a vote of confidence on January 19, 2007. This was thanks to two members of the ČSSD,
Miloš Melčák and Michal Pohanka, who abstained.
On March 23, 2009, the government of Mirek Topolánek lost a vote of no-confidence. Jan Fischer was elected to head an interim
government until elections were held in May 201.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Czech Republic
various nationalistic parties on the extreme right. Generally, the (liberal) right beyond the specific case of huge and conservative
Civic Democratic Party is splintered and has failed in several attempts to unite.
As the system in Czech repeatedly produces very weak governments (a specific problem is that about 15% of the electorate
support the Communists, who are shunned by all the other parties) there is constant talk about changing it but without much chance
of really pushing the reform through. An attempt to increase majority elements by tweaking the system parameters (more smaller
districts, d'Hondt method used) by ČSSD and ODS during their "opposition agreement" 1998–2002 was vehemently opposed by
smaller parties and blocked by the Constitutional Court as going too much against the constitution-stated proportional principle; only
a moderated form was adopted. This, however led to a stalemate in 2006 elections where both the left and the right each gained
exactly 100 seats; as many commenters point out, the earlier system would have given the right 3-4 seats majority.
A government formed of a coalition of the ODS, KDU-ČSL, and the Green Party (SZ), and led by the leader of the ODS Mirek
Topolánek finally succeeded in winning a vote of confidence on January 19th, 2007. This was thanks to two members of the
ČSSD, Miloš Melčák and Michal Pohanka, who abstained.
In March 2006, the parliament overturned a veto by President Václav Klaus, and the Czech Republic became the first former
communist country in Europe to grant legal recognition to same-sex partnerships.
A government formed of a coalition of the ODS, KDU-ČSL, and the Green Party (SZ), and led by the leader of the ODS Mirek
Topolánek finally succeeded in winning a vote of confidence on January 19, 2007. This was thanks to two members of the ČSSD,
Miloš Melčák and Michal Pohanka, who abstained.
On March 23, 2009, the government of Mirek Topolánek lost a vote of no-confidence. Jan Fischer was elected to head an interim
government until elections were held in May 201.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Czech Republic
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
While threats of international legal action never materialized in 2007, 915,220 Austrians, with the support of the popular Freedom
Party, signed a petition in January 2008, demanding that Austria block the Czech Republic's accession to the EU unless Prague
closes its controversial Soviet-style nuclear plant in Temelin, bordering Austria
Party, signed a petition in January 2008, demanding that Austria block the Czech Republic's accession to the EU unless Prague
closes its controversial Soviet-style nuclear plant in Temelin, bordering Austria
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; producer
of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime;
significant consumer of ecstasy (2008)
of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime;
significant consumer of ecstasy (2008)
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Reports: Czech Republic
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
The Czech Republic is a multiparty parliamentary democracy with a population of approximately 10.2 million. Legislative authority is
vested in the bicameral parliament, consisting of a Chamber of Deputies (Poslanecka snemovna) and Senate (Senat). The president,
whom parliament elects every five years, is head of state; he appoints a prime minister from the majority party or coalition. In February
2008 the parliament elected Vaclav Klaus as president for a second term. The coalition government, led by the center-right Civic
Democratic Party (ODS) and Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, fell on March 24, and an interim government led by new Prime Minister
Jan Fischer took office on May 8. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
The Czech Republic is a multiparty parliamentary democracy with a population of approximately 10.2 million. Legislative authority is
vested in the bicameral parliament, consisting of a Chamber of Deputies (Poslanecka snemovna) and Senate (Senat). The president,
whom parliament elects every five years, is head of state; he appoints a prime minister from the majority party or coalition. In February
2008 the parliament elected Vaclav Klaus as president for a second term. The coalition government, led by the center-right Civic
Democratic Party (ODS) and Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, fell on March 24, and an interim government led by new Prime Minister
Jan Fischer took office on May 8. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
- European authorities reported that the government castrated some convicted sex offenders without their free and informed
consent. - Other notable human rights problems included official corruption,
- trafficking of persons for commercial sexual exploitation and labor,
- neo-Nazi and nationalist extremism directed at Roma and other minorities,
- societal discrimination against Roma.
22 October 2010
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Forty-seventh session
4-22 October 2010
Concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Czech Republic
Introduction
2. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party for its combined fourth and fifth periodic report, which was detailed and
concise and followed the Committee’s guidelines for the preparation of reports, with references to the previous concluding observations,
although it lacked sex-disaggregated statistics and qualitative data on the situation of women in some of the areas covered by the
Convention, in particular in respect of women from disadvantaged groups. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party
for its detailed written replies to the list of issues and questions raised by its pre-session working group and for the oral presentation and
the frank responses to the questions posed by the Committee.
Positive aspects
5. The Committee notes with satisfaction the ratification by the State party, on 28 September 2009, of the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities.
6. The Committee also notes with appreciation that, on 21 July 2009, the State party ratified the Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court.
Principal areas of concern and recommendations
10. The Committee recalls the obligation of the State party to systematically and continuously implement all the provisions of the
Convention, and views the concerns and recommendations identified in the present concluding observations as requiring the priority
attention of the State party between now and the submission of the next periodic report. Consequently, the Committee urges the State
party to focus on those areas in its implementation activities and to include, in its next periodic report, information on action taken and
results achieved. The Committee calls upon the State party to submit the present concluding observations to all relevant ministries and
government departments, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, as well as to the judiciary, so as to ensure their full implementation.
Click here to read more »
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Forty-seventh session
4-22 October 2010
Concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Czech Republic
Introduction
2. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party for its combined fourth and fifth periodic report, which was detailed and
concise and followed the Committee’s guidelines for the preparation of reports, with references to the previous concluding observations,
although it lacked sex-disaggregated statistics and qualitative data on the situation of women in some of the areas covered by the
Convention, in particular in respect of women from disadvantaged groups. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party
for its detailed written replies to the list of issues and questions raised by its pre-session working group and for the oral presentation and
the frank responses to the questions posed by the Committee.
Positive aspects
5. The Committee notes with satisfaction the ratification by the State party, on 28 September 2009, of the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities.
6. The Committee also notes with appreciation that, on 21 July 2009, the State party ratified the Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court.
Principal areas of concern and recommendations
10. The Committee recalls the obligation of the State party to systematically and continuously implement all the provisions of the
Convention, and views the concerns and recommendations identified in the present concluding observations as requiring the priority
attention of the State party between now and the submission of the next periodic report. Consequently, the Committee urges the State
party to focus on those areas in its implementation activities and to include, in its next periodic report, information on action taken and
results achieved. The Committee calls upon the State party to submit the present concluding observations to all relevant ministries and
government departments, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, as well as to the judiciary, so as to ensure their full implementation.
Click here to read more »
Freedom In The World 2010 Report
Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 1
Status: Free
Overview
Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek’s center-right government was ousted by a vote of no confidence in March 2009, and President Vaclav
Klaus appointed Jan Fischer as prime minister of a caretaker government in April. Because a majority of deputies opposed early
parliamentary elections, Fischer’s government was set to remain in place until regular elections in June 2010. Also during 2009, violence
against Roma continued amid worsening economic conditions.
In January 2007, President Klaus reappointed Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek of the ODS, who had remained in office in a caretaker
capacity since the last coalition collapsed. Klaus himself was narrowly reelected in February 2008, receiving 141 votes in Parliament.
The CSSD led regional and Senate elections in October 2008, rising to a new total of 29 seats in the Senate and reducing the ODS to a
total of 35, ending its majority in the chamber.
Topolanek’s coalition government was ousted in a parliamentary vote of no confidence in March 2009, and Klaus appointed Jan Fischer
to lead the caretaker government that took over in May. The president set early parliamentary elections for October, but the
Constitutional Court blocked them in September after an independent deputy argued that snap elections would violate his right to serve a
full term. The CSSD, Greens, and KSCM defeated a subsequent constitutional amendment that would have allowed for early elections.
As a result, the caretaker government was set to remain in place until regular parliamentary elections due in June 2010.
Klaus, a skeptic of EU integration, signed the long-delayed Lisbon Treaty in November 2009 after the Constitutional Court deemed it
compatible with the Czech constitution and he received assurances that the country could opt out of the EU’s Charter of Fundamental
Rights. The Czech ratification cleared the way for implementation of the treaty, which was intended in part to make EU decision-making
more efficient.
The Czech Republic is an electoral democracy. Since the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the country has enjoyed free and fair elections. The
Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Parliament, has 200 members elected for four-year terms by proportional representation. The
Senate has 81 members elected for six-year terms, with one-third up for election every two years. The president, elected by Parliament
for five-year terms, appoints judges, the prime minister, and other cabinet members, but has few other formal powers. The prime
minister, whose recommendations determine the cabinet appointments, relies on support from a majority in the Chamber of Deputies to
govern.
The three largest political parties are the center-left CSSD; the center-right, market-oriented ODS; and the leftist KSCM. Parties must
win at least 5 percent of the vote to enter the lower house.
Click here to read more »
Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 1
Status: Free
Overview
Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek’s center-right government was ousted by a vote of no confidence in March 2009, and President Vaclav
Klaus appointed Jan Fischer as prime minister of a caretaker government in April. Because a majority of deputies opposed early
parliamentary elections, Fischer’s government was set to remain in place until regular elections in June 2010. Also during 2009, violence
against Roma continued amid worsening economic conditions.
In January 2007, President Klaus reappointed Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek of the ODS, who had remained in office in a caretaker
capacity since the last coalition collapsed. Klaus himself was narrowly reelected in February 2008, receiving 141 votes in Parliament.
The CSSD led regional and Senate elections in October 2008, rising to a new total of 29 seats in the Senate and reducing the ODS to a
total of 35, ending its majority in the chamber.
Topolanek’s coalition government was ousted in a parliamentary vote of no confidence in March 2009, and Klaus appointed Jan Fischer
to lead the caretaker government that took over in May. The president set early parliamentary elections for October, but the
Constitutional Court blocked them in September after an independent deputy argued that snap elections would violate his right to serve a
full term. The CSSD, Greens, and KSCM defeated a subsequent constitutional amendment that would have allowed for early elections.
As a result, the caretaker government was set to remain in place until regular parliamentary elections due in June 2010.
Klaus, a skeptic of EU integration, signed the long-delayed Lisbon Treaty in November 2009 after the Constitutional Court deemed it
compatible with the Czech constitution and he received assurances that the country could opt out of the EU’s Charter of Fundamental
Rights. The Czech ratification cleared the way for implementation of the treaty, which was intended in part to make EU decision-making
more efficient.
The Czech Republic is an electoral democracy. Since the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the country has enjoyed free and fair elections. The
Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Parliament, has 200 members elected for four-year terms by proportional representation. The
Senate has 81 members elected for six-year terms, with one-third up for election every two years. The president, elected by Parliament
for five-year terms, appoints judges, the prime minister, and other cabinet members, but has few other formal powers. The prime
minister, whose recommendations determine the cabinet appointments, relies on support from a majority in the Chamber of Deputies to
govern.
The three largest political parties are the center-left CSSD; the center-right, market-oriented ODS; and the leftist KSCM. Parties must
win at least 5 percent of the vote to enter the lower house.
Click here to read more »
15 November 2010
END SEGREGATION OF ROMANI CHILDREN IN CZECH SCHOOLS
Sabrina started school in 1998, when she was six years old. She was not treated the same as other children in her class. Her teacher
never involved Sabrina in activities and never asked her any questions. She just used to sit in the corner while other children were busy
with schoolwork. Her mother was then told that Sabrina must change to a special school for children with "mild mental disabilities". She
was never properly tested for learning disabilities.
Sabrina is one of thousands of Romani children in the Czech Republic who were placed in special schools. In November 2007 the
European Court of Human Rights ruled that such discriminatory placement in special schools violated the right of Romani children to
education. Three years later, however, the discrimination continues despite the obligation of the Czech Republic to implement the
judgment and allow equal access of Romani children to mainstream quality education, together with pupils from the majority and other
minority populations.
Special schools have now been renamed “practical schools” but little else has changed. Romani children are still overrepresented in
“practical schools” – in some places, they make up more than 80 per cent of the student body.
Romani children are often socially disadvantaged and require special support and attention, which mainstream elementary schools are
frequently unwilling or unable to give. Pushing these children away from mainstream education seems to be an easier option. Many end
up in Roma-only schools, where the level of education is significantly lower than in other places. Those who study with non-Romani
children are often taught in separate classes or face discrimination in the classroom. Their rights are still violated at every step of the way.
Click here to read more »
END SEGREGATION OF ROMANI CHILDREN IN CZECH SCHOOLS
Sabrina started school in 1998, when she was six years old. She was not treated the same as other children in her class. Her teacher
never involved Sabrina in activities and never asked her any questions. She just used to sit in the corner while other children were busy
with schoolwork. Her mother was then told that Sabrina must change to a special school for children with "mild mental disabilities". She
was never properly tested for learning disabilities.
Sabrina is one of thousands of Romani children in the Czech Republic who were placed in special schools. In November 2007 the
European Court of Human Rights ruled that such discriminatory placement in special schools violated the right of Romani children to
education. Three years later, however, the discrimination continues despite the obligation of the Czech Republic to implement the
judgment and allow equal access of Romani children to mainstream quality education, together with pupils from the majority and other
minority populations.
Special schools have now been renamed “practical schools” but little else has changed. Romani children are still overrepresented in
“practical schools” – in some places, they make up more than 80 per cent of the student body.
Romani children are often socially disadvantaged and require special support and attention, which mainstream elementary schools are
frequently unwilling or unable to give. Pushing these children away from mainstream education seems to be an easier option. Many end
up in Roma-only schools, where the level of education is significantly lower than in other places. Those who study with non-Romani
children are often taught in separate classes or face discrimination in the classroom. Their rights are still violated at every step of the way.
Click here to read more »
Joint NGO letter to the Czech Republic regarding the EU Network on genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes
December 17, 2008
Re: EU Network of contact points on genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes
Dear Minister Langer and Minister Pospíšil,
We are writing to urge the Czech Republic to call a 6th meeting of the EU network of contact points in respect of persons responsible
for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes during its term in the EU Presidency.
In light of the network's important contribution to the fight against impunity for serious human rights violations, we, the undersigned
organizations, urge the Czech Republic to make a firm commitment to hold a network meeting during its Presidency.
Established by Council decision 2002/494 JHA, the EU network of contact points in respect of persons responsible for genocide, crimes
against humanity and war crimes (the "EU Network") was created to facilitate and increase cooperation among member states in the
investigation and prosecution of these crimes at a national level. Article 5 of Council decision 2003/335/JHA states that the contact points
"shall meet at regular intervals" at the Presidency's initiative. As France, current holder of the EU Presidency, has declined to organize an
EU Network meeting, it is essential that the Czech Republic convene a meeting to ensure that the EU Network's contact points maintain
their working relationships and deepen their exchange of information and experience.
1. Judicial cooperation is essential to the effective use of universal jurisdiction laws.
Several European states, including Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom, have begun to
use their universal jurisdiction laws to investigate and prosecute alleged perpetrators of grave international crimes.
Since the first meeting of the EU Network, in November 2004, a number of cases have been successfully prosecuted in Europe. These
include two Afghan military officers convicted in the Netherlands of war crimes committed in Afghanistan, an Argentine officer
convicted by a Spanish court of crimes against humanity in Argentina, three Rwandan nationals convicted before a
Click here to read more »
December 17, 2008
Re: EU Network of contact points on genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes
Dear Minister Langer and Minister Pospíšil,
We are writing to urge the Czech Republic to call a 6th meeting of the EU network of contact points in respect of persons responsible
for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes during its term in the EU Presidency.
In light of the network's important contribution to the fight against impunity for serious human rights violations, we, the undersigned
organizations, urge the Czech Republic to make a firm commitment to hold a network meeting during its Presidency.
Established by Council decision 2002/494 JHA, the EU network of contact points in respect of persons responsible for genocide, crimes
against humanity and war crimes (the "EU Network") was created to facilitate and increase cooperation among member states in the
investigation and prosecution of these crimes at a national level. Article 5 of Council decision 2003/335/JHA states that the contact points
"shall meet at regular intervals" at the Presidency's initiative. As France, current holder of the EU Presidency, has declined to organize an
EU Network meeting, it is essential that the Czech Republic convene a meeting to ensure that the EU Network's contact points maintain
their working relationships and deepen their exchange of information and experience.
1. Judicial cooperation is essential to the effective use of universal jurisdiction laws.
Several European states, including Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom, have begun to
use their universal jurisdiction laws to investigate and prosecute alleged perpetrators of grave international crimes.
Since the first meeting of the EU Network, in November 2004, a number of cases have been successfully prosecuted in Europe. These
include two Afghan military officers convicted in the Netherlands of war crimes committed in Afghanistan, an Argentine officer
convicted by a Spanish court of crimes against humanity in Argentina, three Rwandan nationals convicted before a
Click here to read more »
Statement by Mr. Czeslaw Walek,
Head of the Czech Delegation, Deputy Minister for Human Rights of the Czech Republic
At the 54th session of the Commission on the Status of Women
2 March 2010, New York
Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
It is an honor and privilege to address this session of the 54th Commission on the Status of Women on the occasion of celebrating the
fifteenth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on behalf of the Czech Republic. Allow me to commend the
Commission on its important work and congratulate on assuming the important duty to guide us through the work ahead. Aligning with
the Spanish statement on behalf of the European Union, I reassert the commitment of the Czech government to the Beijing Platform for
Action as well as Millennium Development Goals.
Talking about particular achievements of my country in this area I believe that it is an existence of the Council for Equal Opportunities
for Women and Men as a basic consultative mechanism of the Czech government with representatives of civil society on gender issues.
The role of the Council, which has been established in 2001, is to consult, initiate and advice on governmental policies from gender
perspective. Council consist of 28 members, half of which are representatives of the government (mostly deputy ministers) and half of
which are representatives of civil society, experts on gender issues. Currently, the Council has four committees concerned with specific
topics – reconciliation of work and private life, institutional support for equality of women and men, prevention of domestic violence and
equal representation of women and men in politics. The Council as such represents the mechanism of involvement and cooperation with
civil society organizations, especially women’s organizations at the country level, which is an essential point in implementation of the
Beijing Platform for Action.
Active promotion of gender equality is a priority for my government; it is a part of its Policy Statement. On policy level the government
adopted a National Action Plan, called “Priorities and Procedures of the Government in Promoting Equal Opportunities for Women and
Men” to implement the obligations originating from the Beijing Platform for Action. The fulfilment is annually evaluated and updated by
the Government. The Plan consists of seven critical areas, which generally derive from the Beijing Platform for Action and also from the
EURoadmap for equality between women and men. It includes inter alia institutional support for gender equality, women and men in
decision-making, gender-based violence or equal opportunities for women and men at work, including support for the reconciliation of
work and private life.
At the present time the Minister’s for Human Rights Michael Kocáb main focus in area of gender equality is aimed at a draft amendment
of electoral acts which should bring a minimum of 30 percent of both women and men on the electoral candidate lists. The Minister now
strongly advocates this crucial measure among politicians and public as well.
Click here to read more »
Head of the Czech Delegation, Deputy Minister for Human Rights of the Czech Republic
At the 54th session of the Commission on the Status of Women
2 March 2010, New York
Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
It is an honor and privilege to address this session of the 54th Commission on the Status of Women on the occasion of celebrating the
fifteenth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on behalf of the Czech Republic. Allow me to commend the
Commission on its important work and congratulate on assuming the important duty to guide us through the work ahead. Aligning with
the Spanish statement on behalf of the European Union, I reassert the commitment of the Czech government to the Beijing Platform for
Action as well as Millennium Development Goals.
Talking about particular achievements of my country in this area I believe that it is an existence of the Council for Equal Opportunities
for Women and Men as a basic consultative mechanism of the Czech government with representatives of civil society on gender issues.
The role of the Council, which has been established in 2001, is to consult, initiate and advice on governmental policies from gender
perspective. Council consist of 28 members, half of which are representatives of the government (mostly deputy ministers) and half of
which are representatives of civil society, experts on gender issues. Currently, the Council has four committees concerned with specific
topics – reconciliation of work and private life, institutional support for equality of women and men, prevention of domestic violence and
equal representation of women and men in politics. The Council as such represents the mechanism of involvement and cooperation with
civil society organizations, especially women’s organizations at the country level, which is an essential point in implementation of the
Beijing Platform for Action.
Active promotion of gender equality is a priority for my government; it is a part of its Policy Statement. On policy level the government
adopted a National Action Plan, called “Priorities and Procedures of the Government in Promoting Equal Opportunities for Women and
Men” to implement the obligations originating from the Beijing Platform for Action. The fulfilment is annually evaluated and updated by
the Government. The Plan consists of seven critical areas, which generally derive from the Beijing Platform for Action and also from the
EURoadmap for equality between women and men. It includes inter alia institutional support for gender equality, women and men in
decision-making, gender-based violence or equal opportunities for women and men at work, including support for the reconciliation of
work and private life.
At the present time the Minister’s for Human Rights Michael Kocáb main focus in area of gender equality is aimed at a draft amendment
of electoral acts which should bring a minimum of 30 percent of both women and men on the electoral candidate lists. The Minister now
strongly advocates this crucial measure among politicians and public as well.
Click here to read more »
Ombudsman unveils shortcomings in police treating detainees
13. 10. 2010
Brno, Oct 13 (CTK) – Certain shortcomings in the way the Czech police treat detained people persist, though the situation has improved
since the previous check in 2006, Ombudsman Pavel Varvarovsky told reporters today, adding that no cruel or humiliating treatment of
detainees has been uncovered.
The police often unnecessarily take some personal items, such as watches and glasses, away from the detainees in police cells.
Sometimes they even take the sheet of paper with the instructions about the detainees' rights away from them for safety reasons,
Varvarovsky said.
He recommended that the police consider in each individual case whether the given item is dangerous and can threaten the detainees'
health or life.
Some detention cells have insufficient material and hygienic equipment. Somewhere mattresses are lacking on the wooden beds, and the
detained persons are given a paper sheet, often a used one, instead of a blanket to cover themselves with.
"The detainees thus can easily catch some disease. In addition, the cells are quite cold," deputy ombudsman Jitka Seitlova said.
She said the Ombudsman's Office has informed the police about the shortcomings and the police promised to put the things right.
The ombudsman also found out that the regime of daily and nightly lighting has not been observed in some cells, which, combined with
questionings, may cause sleep deprivation to the detained persons.
Sometimes it happens that the inmates are left without food all the day long, the ombudsman said.
The Ombudsman's Office staff have paid 126 visits to police cells, unexpected and at various times of the day.
The check also showed that the awareness of Czechs about the rights of those detained by the police is very low.
"We're striving for [people] to be more informed," he said.
Click here to read more »
13. 10. 2010
Brno, Oct 13 (CTK) – Certain shortcomings in the way the Czech police treat detained people persist, though the situation has improved
since the previous check in 2006, Ombudsman Pavel Varvarovsky told reporters today, adding that no cruel or humiliating treatment of
detainees has been uncovered.
The police often unnecessarily take some personal items, such as watches and glasses, away from the detainees in police cells.
Sometimes they even take the sheet of paper with the instructions about the detainees' rights away from them for safety reasons,
Varvarovsky said.
He recommended that the police consider in each individual case whether the given item is dangerous and can threaten the detainees'
health or life.
Some detention cells have insufficient material and hygienic equipment. Somewhere mattresses are lacking on the wooden beds, and the
detained persons are given a paper sheet, often a used one, instead of a blanket to cover themselves with.
"The detainees thus can easily catch some disease. In addition, the cells are quite cold," deputy ombudsman Jitka Seitlova said.
She said the Ombudsman's Office has informed the police about the shortcomings and the police promised to put the things right.
The ombudsman also found out that the regime of daily and nightly lighting has not been observed in some cells, which, combined with
questionings, may cause sleep deprivation to the detained persons.
Sometimes it happens that the inmates are left without food all the day long, the ombudsman said.
The Ombudsman's Office staff have paid 126 visits to police cells, unexpected and at various times of the day.
The check also showed that the awareness of Czechs about the rights of those detained by the police is very low.
"We're striving for [people] to be more informed," he said.
Click here to read more »
TRANSLATED FROM CZECH BY GOOGLE TRANSLATE
Opinion coordinators for Roma Affairs to the position of Commissioner for Human Rights
of 7 8th September 2010 9th 2010
Regional coordinators for Roma issues very strongly object to the appeal the Commissioner for Human Rights and call an agent, did not
serve to voluntarily resign.
We appreciate the work of Michael Kocab he had done for the integration of Roma, which the Government of the Republic undertook its
resolutions.
We note in particular the active involvement of Michael Kocab in solving current problems and the case in which such intensively
negotiating with city officials in Litvinov and Most deal with the situation in the suburb of Genoa and Chomutov, where the problem was
related to the execution of the social benefits of the Roma population in Holešov negotiate more favorable terms the construction of
housing for Roma. In connection with this case was initiated by a situational analysis, which dealt with analysis of current problems in
the city and draft recommendations, which should lead to resolution or at least to mitigate the effects of current problems in the village.
Michael Kocáb as minister actively involved in the fight against extremism, enforce restrictions on the right of assembly, resulting in a
prolonged period of local governments to consider the request nahlašující public meeting, the agreement also initiated constitutional
officials, political parties and citizens for joint action against the rise of extremism and racism. In connection with the menacing rise of
racism and extremism by "expert panels Standing against racism and violence" and himself on the demonstration of any missing person.
We appreciate the fact that, compared with its predecessors strongly call for a dignified commemoration of the Roma Holocaust. Thanks
to his initiative was successful in ensuring investment in reverent treatment site in Lety near Pisek, in the case and negotiate repayment
of long bezúspěšného recreation center sued in Hodonin u Kunstat he managed to bring the matter to a successful end, which we
appreciate especially the Roma. Just as we appreciate its enforcement activity in the excuse the Government of the Republic forcibly
sterilized women.
Kocábovým long-term intervention to address the Roma Inclusion was the approval of the Concept of Roma Integration 2010 - 2013 in
December 2009, re-starting the Agency for social inclusion in Romany localities, particularly professional cast of the Government
Council for Roma minority in the ministerial level and the regional coordinators of Roma, when the President's Council Chairman of the
Government.
During our many years in the Roma topic we have already improved the Minister for Human Rights, nor the Commissioner for Human
Rights did not. Currently, it is very well set up cooperation with the county, which would leave Mr Kocab significantly impaired. It also
objects to the letter, Mr. Jolly President of the Government, which attacks the work of Mr Kocab and performing with his statements in
the name of many Roma personalities. These attacks we consider statements of a personal nature.
In order to maintain continuous conceptual work, we strongly urge that Mr Kocab remain in office to continue and he was able to sense
in his work continue.
Click here to read more>>
Opinion coordinators for Roma Affairs to the position of Commissioner for Human Rights
of 7 8th September 2010 9th 2010
Regional coordinators for Roma issues very strongly object to the appeal the Commissioner for Human Rights and call an agent, did not
serve to voluntarily resign.
We appreciate the work of Michael Kocab he had done for the integration of Roma, which the Government of the Republic undertook its
resolutions.
We note in particular the active involvement of Michael Kocab in solving current problems and the case in which such intensively
negotiating with city officials in Litvinov and Most deal with the situation in the suburb of Genoa and Chomutov, where the problem was
related to the execution of the social benefits of the Roma population in Holešov negotiate more favorable terms the construction of
housing for Roma. In connection with this case was initiated by a situational analysis, which dealt with analysis of current problems in
the city and draft recommendations, which should lead to resolution or at least to mitigate the effects of current problems in the village.
Michael Kocáb as minister actively involved in the fight against extremism, enforce restrictions on the right of assembly, resulting in a
prolonged period of local governments to consider the request nahlašující public meeting, the agreement also initiated constitutional
officials, political parties and citizens for joint action against the rise of extremism and racism. In connection with the menacing rise of
racism and extremism by "expert panels Standing against racism and violence" and himself on the demonstration of any missing person.
We appreciate the fact that, compared with its predecessors strongly call for a dignified commemoration of the Roma Holocaust. Thanks
to his initiative was successful in ensuring investment in reverent treatment site in Lety near Pisek, in the case and negotiate repayment
of long bezúspěšného recreation center sued in Hodonin u Kunstat he managed to bring the matter to a successful end, which we
appreciate especially the Roma. Just as we appreciate its enforcement activity in the excuse the Government of the Republic forcibly
sterilized women.
Kocábovým long-term intervention to address the Roma Inclusion was the approval of the Concept of Roma Integration 2010 - 2013 in
December 2009, re-starting the Agency for social inclusion in Romany localities, particularly professional cast of the Government
Council for Roma minority in the ministerial level and the regional coordinators of Roma, when the President's Council Chairman of the
Government.
During our many years in the Roma topic we have already improved the Minister for Human Rights, nor the Commissioner for Human
Rights did not. Currently, it is very well set up cooperation with the county, which would leave Mr Kocab significantly impaired. It also
objects to the letter, Mr. Jolly President of the Government, which attacks the work of Mr Kocab and performing with his statements in
the name of many Roma personalities. These attacks we consider statements of a personal nature.
In order to maintain continuous conceptual work, we strongly urge that Mr Kocab remain in office to continue and he was able to sense
in his work continue.
Click here to read more>>
| Click map for larger view |
| Click flag for Country Report |
Vaclav Klaus
President since 7 March 2003
President since 7 March 2003
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.
Karel Schwarzenberg
First Deputy Prime Minister
since 13 July 2010
First Deputy Prime Minister
since 13 July 2010
Radek John
Deputy Prime Minister since 13 July 2010
Deputy Prime Minister since 13 July 2010
Petr Necas
Prime Minister since 28 June 2010
Prime Minister since 28 June 2010
