Introduction
Czech Prime Minister considers embassy move to Jerusalem in support of Israel
On 12th October 2023, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced the potential relocation of the Czech Republic's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as a display of support for Israel. Fiala mentioned that this possibility was discussed within the governing coalition, triggered by the recent deadliest attack in Israel's history, carried out by Hamas fighters against Israeli civilians. The Czech Republic established a diplomatic office in Jerusalem in 2021, drawing objections from the Palestinian Authority and the Arab League. If this decision is implemented, the Czech Republic would become the second NATO country and the first European Union member state to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem, following the United States in 2018. However, there are differences of opinion within the Czech government on this matter. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, for example, expressed concerns about the violation of international law, the threat to European unity amid tensions with Russia and the threat to the security of Czech diplomatic missions.
Czech Republic extends border controls with Slovakia amidst rising irregular migration
On 12th October 2023, Poland and the Czech Republic announced that they would extend temporary border controls with Slovakia until November in order to prevent smuggling activities and combat the increasing number of illegal immigrants from the Middle East and Afghanistan. On 22nd November 2023, the Czech Republic decided to extend border controls until 3rd January 2024.
Human Rights Day
On 11th December 2023 in Prague, Czech Government Commissioner for Human Rights Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková presented awards to 18 individuals and organisations for their exceptional commitment to human rights. This inaugural event honoured contributions across six categories, recognising the diverse efforts of nominees such as Zdeněk Ryšavý from the Romea organisation, Jitka Poláková of proFem, evangelical pastor Mikuláš Vymětal, Viktor Heumann of the Trans*parent association, and Bohdan Rajčinec, an advocate for the Ukrainian minority.
The Commissioner emphasised the significant impact each awardee had made, highlighting the critical role of human rights in shaping cohesive and diverse societies. Taking place on International Human Rights Day, the ceremony celebrated individuals and organisations driving social change and human rights initiatives, marking the start of a new tradition in the Czech Republic.
Freedom of expression
Babiš ordered to issue social media apology
On 15th August 2023, a ruling by the Regional Court in Prague became public, ordering former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to issue an apology to investigative journalist Pavla Holcová for a Facebook post about her. Babiš must publish the apology on his social media profile within three days of the ruling taking effect and keep it online for at least seven days, in line with the court's May verdict.
The court's decision followed Babiš's post last April, which featured a collage of Holcová’s photo alongside text alleging a conspiracy between her and billionaire philanthropist George Soros to undermine his election bid. The post was reportedly a reaction to the Pandora Papers investigation, in which Holcová and Investigace.cz exposed Babiš’s failure to disclose his purchase of a French château through offshore companies.
Holcová stressed the need for journalists to challenge politicians who target them, warning that such actions incite harassment. The Regional Court sided with Holcová, highlighting politicians’ responsibility for defamatory posts and their impact on public discourse, setting a precedent for future cases.
Babiš issued the required statement on his Facebook page on 21st August 2023.
IPI Calls for Investigation into Threats Against Russian Journalists in Prague
On 22nd September 2023, the International Press Institute (IPI) urged Czech authorities to investigate threats against Russian exiled journalists Alesya Marokhovskaya and Irina Dolinina, both working for iStories in Prague. The journalists received threats earlier this year, including the disclosure of their addresses and indications of surveillance.
The IPI demanded immediate action, citing broader safety concerns for Russian exiled journalists in Europe, who face increasing risks due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and strict censorship laws. While speculation suggests Russian secret services' involvement in cases of threats to exiled journalists, no independent confirmation is available.
Since the invasion, over 150 Russian independent journalists have fled to EU countries, seeking refuge from state repression.
Proposed public media concession fee hike
The Czech government is moving to increase the licence fee that funds public media, including Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo), both struggling financially. If approved despite opposition from populist conservative and extremist parties, the increase will take effect in 2025.
The amendment would raise ČT's monthly fee by 25 koruna (approximately 1 euro) to 160 koruna (around 6.56 euros), while ČRo's fee would rise by 10 koruna to 55 koruna. It would also extend the fee to viewers using mobile phones and computers, marking the first increase in 15 years.
Analysts warn that budget constraints threaten ČT and ČRo’s independence, while Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who initially pledged support for public media, faces criticism for not fully delivering on his promises.
Man Sentenced for Inciting Violence at Anti-Government Protest
On 28th August 2023, the Municipal Court in Prague upheld a four-month sentence with a one-and-a-half-year probationary period for a protester who called for the removal of the Ukrainian flag from the National Museum during an anti-government demonstration in March 2023. Additionally, the man is banned from staying in the city of Prague for 18 months.
The judge ruled that the punishment was symbolic but necessary, stressing that the defendant’s actions had the potential to incite violence. The man encouraged the crowd to storm the museum and take down the flag, leading to attempts to forcibly enter the building.
The defence argued that his statements merely expressed disagreement with the government’s foreign policy and did not incite any criminal acts, as removing the flag would, at most, constitute a misdemeanor.
Multiple protesters faced legal consequences, including fines and suspended sentences, for their actions during the demonstration.
Betting agency demands removal from film
On 1st September 2023, it emerged that betting agency Fortuna had issued a pre-lawsuit notice to influencer and presenter Kamil Bartošek (Kazma) regarding his film "Onemanshow: The Movie". The notice demanded edits to remove all references to Fortuna and an apology for alleged damage to its reputation.
Bartošek’s lawyer confirmed contact from Fortuna but stated that his client had yet to respond. Despite the controversy, the film broke box office records, topping Czech cinema attendance charts with 290,000 viewers in its opening weekend.
Neo-Nazi appeal rejected by Supreme Court
On 15th September 2023, the Czech Supreme Court rejected an appeal by three individuals convicted of promoting neo-Nazism, a legal battle ongoing since 2010.
Michaela Dupová, Filip Vávra, and Richard Lang had previously received suspended sentences, which the Supreme Court upheld. The case involved distributing promotional materials for the neo-Nazi group National Resistance (NO), organising an event in Jihlava, and operating the Resistance Women Unity (RWU) website.
Despite their appeal being dismissed, the trio can still file a constitutional complaint, though this is not a common course of action.
Freedom of assembly
Pro-Russian protest in Prague challenges Czech Government's policies
On 16th September 2023, Prague witnessed another anti-government protest led by the radical right, drawing around 10,000 participants. These so-called “patriot” demonstrations have been going on for a year, attracting a mix of populist opposition supporters, radical parties and conspiracy theorists. In September 2022, an estimated 70,000 demonstrators turned out to protest against the cost of living crisis, but rising extremism has since undermined public support.
The government’s austerity measures, including cuts to pensions and social programmes, have fuelled the protests. Protest leader Jindřich Rajchl blamed “economic migrants from Ukraine” for Czech people’s hardships. Demonstrators demanded better economic management and an end to support for Ukraine, while also criticising Czechia’s stance on the EU, US, NATO, green policies, pandemic restrictions, healthcare, education, the euro, and the Istanbul Convention.
University Strike Over Funding
On 17th October 2023, a one-hour nationwide warning strike took place at Czech universities, with some faculties extending it for the entire day. Protesters demanded a significant increase in university funding for the following year to align with OECD levels. However, the government’s proposed budget for public university education remained at 30.9 billion CZK, frustrating demonstrators.
Education Minister Mikuláš Bek dismissed the demand as unrealistic, instead offering an additional billion CZK to address faculty salary disparities. Trade unions argued this was insufficient, insisting on broader funding reforms to tackle the chronic underfunding of Czech higher education.
Czech Schools Strike for Higher Education Funding
Thousands of Czech schools held a one-day strike on 27th November 2023, demanding increased education funding and opposing the centre-right government’s austerity measures. Teachers, along with public and private sector unions, protested against budget cuts and tax hikes, warning of their impact on education quality.
The strike, backed by other unions, including Škoda Auto workers, highlighted growing discontent over inflation, living costs, and government spending cuts. Despite a recent budget adjustment, unions argue that the increase does not offset soaring inflation.
The government aims to reduce the fiscal deficit to 2.2% of GDP next year, but teachers insist on greater investment in education. In 2020, Czech education spending stood at 3.1% of GDP, slightly below the OECD average of 3.3%.
On the same day, hundreds of Prague high school students joined the strike, marching to the Education Ministry to support their teachers. Organised by the Students for Education Initiative, they delivered around 300 letters to Minister Petr Černikovský, urging him to preserve school funding and protect education quality.
Union rally against gov’t economic measures
On 27th November 2023, Prague saw its largest protest since the Czech Republic’s establishment in 1993, as unions staged mass demonstrations and strikes against the government’s economic policies. Thousands demanded the government’s resignation, denouncing an economic package recently passed by parliament and signed into law by President Petr Pavel.
The measures include higher taxes on alcohol, medicine, and corporate profits, aiming to cut the budget deficit by billions of CZK. The government also plans to tie the retirement age to life expectancy, raising concerns that it could exceed the current 65-year limit.
Unions have threatened further protests if talks with the government fail. The demonstrations disrupted schools, universities, state offices, and major companies, including Škoda Auto, where work stoppages occurred across various sectors.
Prague Bans Pro-Palestinian Rally
On 1st December 2023, Prague City Hall banned a pro-Palestinian demonstration, citing its use of the slogan “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free”, which the Interior Ministry had deemed potentially criminal. The ban followed several previous protests, including one on 22nd November 2023.
At the November rally, speakers criticised media coverage of the Gaza conflict, urging journalists to verify sources and avoid uncritical acceptance of Israeli narratives. Protesters accused Czech media of bias, arguing that even the term “conflict” downplays the situation, advocating instead for “genocide” to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Authorities justified the 1st December ban, arguing that the slogan implied the destruction of Israel. Activists plan to challenge the ban in court, asserting that the slogan is non-violent, while authorities insist it incites hostility towards the Jewish community.
Freedom of association
Dissolution of 34 parties
On 12th December 2023, the Supreme Administrative Court dissolved 34 regional and non-parliamentary parties and movements, including Decent People, the Romani Democratic Party, and the Party for an Open Society, following a government proposal. The reason for the dissolution was the parties’ repeated failure to submit annual financial reports.
Judge-Rapporteur Tomáš Langášek stated that, despite the court previously suspending their activities, they failed to meet their obligations within the extended deadline, resulting in their dissolution and liquidation under the law.
LGTBQI+ rights
Supreme Administrative Court rejects gender reassignment appeal
On 18th August 2023, the Supreme Administrative Court (NSS) rejected a complaint from an individual seeking official recognition of their gender change from female to male without undergoing the legally required surgical procedure. The applicant claimed that the requirement to undergo gender reassignment surgery as a precondition for official recognition was unconstitutional because it violated the fundamental right to human dignity and respect for private and family life as well as the prohibition of torture. The court upheld the Civil Code's requirements and rejected the petition, despite acknowledging the applicant’s concerns about irreversible procedures and the potential risks of gender-reaffirming surgeries.
Additionally, the NSS declined to request a Constitutional Court review to abolish these legal provisions, stating that such changes should be addressed by legislators. The ruling has wider implications for transgender rights, underscoring the need for a comprehensive legislative approach beyond family law.
Czech Business Leaders Push for Marriage Equality
On 6th September 2023, a coalition of 66 companies, led by Vodafone CEO Petr Dvořák, sent an open letter to Prime Minister Petr Fiala, urging him to support marriage equality legislation. Representing technology, finance, cosmetics, and food sectors, the companies stressed that LGBTQI+ discrimination carries economic and societal costs amounting to billions. They expressed their support for equal rights for LGBTQI+ people in the Czech Republic and emphasised the need for legislative measures to eliminate these inequalities.
Their appeal highlights that, despite registered partnerships for same-sex couples being legal since 2006, they still lack key rights, including joint property ownership, pension entitlements, and adoption rights. Citing research, the companies estimate annual economic losses of 5 to 37.6 billion CZK due to discriminatory practices. They argue that marriage equality would boost productivity, health, and economic growth.
The signatories have offered to meet with the prime minister and lawmakers to discuss their position on this critical issue.
Czech Theatres Join the Call for Marriage Equality
A month later, Czech theatres also issued an open letter advocating for marriage equality. Martin Sládeček, Artistic Director of one of the theatres, emphasised the importance of cultural institutions taking a stand. He noted the strong LGBTQI+ presence in the arts and the responsibility to support equal rights.
The letter aims not only to promote marriage equality but also to encourage politicians to reconsider their stance. Sládeček stressed the need to counter hatred with positive energy, advocating for civil rights and a more inclusive cultural landscape.