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.
The Security Information Service Annual Report for 2024 highlights ongoing threats from Russia and China. According to Czech counterintelligence, the risks are primarily concentrated in the areas of influence operations, cybernetics, and sanctions evasion. Intelligence officers also warn against new methods used by hostile actors, such as the recruitment of so-called “telegram agents”, and point to a disturbing trend of radicalization among young people in the online environment.
The case of Vahidullah Khan, an Afghan soldier who died immediately after being interrogated by Czech and American special forces, finally reached trial after almost seven years. The Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office in Brno drew up an extensive indictment of four Czech soldiers suspected of, among other things, extortion, disobeying orders, and failure to provide help. However, the case was not concluded by a proper trial, but instead by presidential abolition.
You might have already read about the case concerning restraint in the form of the so-called Crucifixion of Jesus Christ several times from the Center. Now, however, the case has (finally) reached the Constitutional Court. Thus, the Constitutional Court had another opportunity to express its opinion on the scope of the constitutional rights of victims of crime and injured parties, as well as on its competence to remedy any errors in this regard.
A decision of the European Court of Human Rights can lead to a retrial before the Constitutional Court as well. The case of A. B., a victim of sexual violence who did not succeed before the Czech authorities, shows how the intervention of the international court opened the way to a re-evaluation of the constitutional complaint. The Constitutional Court subsequently acknowledged the seriousness of the errors made by law enforcement and criminal justice and reopened the case.
Retrial before the Constitutional Court
The decision on the type of prison in which a convicted person will be placed is not merely a matter of public interest or prison administration but an issue with a strong constitutional dimension. In a recent judgment, the Constitutional Court addressed this matter when it annulled a decision to transfer a prisoner with mental health problems to a prison with a stricter regime.
Czech substantive criminal law is undergoing one of its biggest changes ever. At the beginning of 2026, an amendment to the Criminal Code containing many changes will come into effect. Among these changes is the strengthening of criminal law instruments regarding prosecution and punishment of the so-called prejudice-based violence. What is prejudice-based violence? How does the Czech Criminal law deal with prejudicial motives? And what changes does the amendment bring in the area of prejudice-based violence?
The Constitutional Court (Court) has dismissed constitutional complaints filed by the political party Volt Czechia [1] and has ruled that the formal definition of „coalition“ in Czech election law shall be upheld.