Czech Republic communications: May 1, 2011 to February 28, 2017

This page summarizes cases raised with the Czech Republic by the Special Rapporteur between May 1, 2011, (when the Special Rapporteur took up his functions) and February 28, 2017 (the date of the last public release of communications). Communications are released to the public once per year. This page also contains observations on these communications and on responses received from the Czech Republic.

Communications and observations are divided into sections based upon which observation report they originally appeared.

Each communication is referenced as urgent appeal (UA), allegation letter (AL), joint urgent appeal (JUA) and joint allegation letter (JAL) – the hyperlinks lead to these documents. This is followed by the date the communication was issued, as well as the case number and the State reply (also hyperlinked if available).

Summaries and communications are published only in the language of submission (in the case of Czech Republic, English).

First Report (May 1, 2011 to March 15, 2012)

None

Second Report (March 16, 2012 to February 28, 2013)

Joint allegation letter, 21/02/2013. Case no. CZE 1/2013. State Reply: 23/04/2013. Alleged eviction from its office premises of the civil society organisation Vzájemné Soužití.

Observations
The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Government of Czech Republic for its response to his communication dated 21 January 2013.

Concerning the case of the civil society organisation Vzájemné Soužití, the Special Rapporteur notes the information contained in the reply transmitted by the Government. He urges the authorities to take positive measures to secure the right to freedom of association and of peaceful assembly in the country.

Third Report (March 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014)

Joint allegation letter, 22/07/2013. Case no. 3/2013. State reply: 22/09/2013. Alleged repeated attacks targeting Roma communities in the cities of Ceske Budejovice and Duchcov by far-right groups.

Observations
The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government for its response to his communication. He notes with interest the reinforcement of police patrols, the scrutiny of riot units and conflict-prevention teams, and the establishment of a special team tasked with analysing the audio and video recordings of the incident. He further notes with satisfaction that several alleged perpetrators have been apprehended. He calls on the authorities to bring all the perpetrators before justice and ensure that the victims are provided with full redress.

The Special Rapporteur deems necessary to remind the authorities that “[i]n the case of simultaneous assemblies at the same place and time, [he] considers it good practice to allow, protect and facilitate all events, whenever possible. In the case of counter-demonstrations, which aim at expressing discontent with the message of other assemblies, such demonstrations should take place, but should not dissuade participants of the other assemblies from exercising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly. In this respect, the role of law enforcement authorities in protecting and facilitating the events is crucial” (A/HRC/20/27, para. 30).