Czech Centre for Human Rights and Democracy

The Centre is an independent academic institution monitoring human rights developments both domestically and worldwide, issuing a monthly Bulletin, as well as organizing conferences.

9. 3. 2024   Radek Tesař

The Constitutional Court of South Korea had a very controversial case presented before it. The South Korea’s “guardian of constitution” had to decide whether or not a provision criminalizing sexual acts between two male soldiers,, known as “sodomy law”, is in compatibility with the Constitution. Despite the controversy associated with discrimination and inequality, the court ruled that this provision is in compliance with the Constitution.

23. 2. 2024   Anna Pěničková

The International Court of Justice has delivered its decision on South Africa’s accusation of Israel for committing genocide in Gaza. The Court has ordered Israel to take all steps to prevent genocide and improve the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Gaza Strip through provisional measures. Israel has a month to inform the Court of its compliance with the order. The Court emphasized the serious risk of the deteriorating situation in Gaza, necessitating immediate action.

18. 2. 2024   Kateřina Ochodková

The Czech Republic has a long-term reputation as a state striving for respect for human rights worldwide. Last year, it succeeded in the very heart of human rights protection, the UN Human Rights Council.

The UN Human Rights Council (hereinafter “the Council”) is the pivotal human rights body of the United Nations (hereinafter “the UN”). It is an intergovernmental body based in Geneva, Switzerland, whose main task is to prevent and address human rights violations, cooperate in international law development, and conduct the Universal Periodic Review.[1]

9. 2. 2024   Veronika Nováková

Between July 1 and December 31 2022, the Czech Republic assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The priorities of its six-month presidency were determined mostly by ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine. They include the management of the refugee crisis, the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, energy security, the strengthening of European defense capabilities, security of cyberspace, the strategic resilience of the European economy and the resilience of democratic institutions. What have been the major outcomes of the Czech presidency?

30. 1. 2024   Veronika Nováková

The Russian aggression in Ukraine has affected the whole world, including the Czech Republic. What is our approach to the Russian invasion? How do we help and what are the challenges we have to face?

22. 1. 2024   Martin Kopa

Employees of the European Court of Human Rights, who enter through its rear entrance, encounter a name every day at the last pedestrian crossing by the traffic light – René Cassin. The whole "allée" they've just crossed is named after him. On that sign by the traffic light they can read that he lived from 1887 to 1976, received the Nobel Peace Prize, and served as a president of the Strasbourg court from 1965 to 1968. Of course, there is a lot missing on that sign. For that reason, I would like to remind everyone of one thing on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: René Cassin is one of its main authors. Its father.

16. 1. 2024   Veronika Nováková

On 1 December 2022, the Czech parliament adopted Act No. 1/2023 Coll., on restrictive measures against certain serious acts in international affairs (Sanctions Act). The Sanctions Act, known also as “the Czech Magnitsky Act”, entered into force on 3 January 2023 and added the Czech Republic to the UN and EU sanctions regimes. It should serve as a national instrument for protecting human rights and freedoms, combating terrorism, and contributing to international peace and security. It applies to all perpetrators, regardless of their country of origin.