Czech Update

Czech president sulky over same sex unions

Dominik Lukeš — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:19:27 -0400

For an atheist and reasonably liberal country, same-sex unions are having a tough time in the Czech Republic. Finally, a new laws gives some rights to same-sex couples but it sent the president Václav Klaus into a tizzy. The president, as always happy to bolster his typical opportunistic populism with inherent homophobia, decided to signal his opposition by not signing the bill. read more »

Police respond to Prague tourists's needs

Dominik Lukeš — Fri, 30 May 2008 21:37:09 -0400

A new unit of Prague police will focus on the needs of tourists, particularly in crime prevention but also in helping them get around. read more »

1950s prosecutor on trial for judicial murder

Dominik Lukeš — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:07:43 -0400

Ludmila Brožová Polednová was among the prosecutors who were involved in sending Milada Horáková and others to the gallows in the 1950s. Now, she is on trial for judicious murder. This Czech interview with a historian explains why the case against her is strong even after all those years. read more »

Ammended immigration law claimed to increase xenophobia

Dominik Lukeš — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 04:27:42 -0400

It is hard to say whether this law will actually strengthen xenophobia in Czech lands but it certainly makes things more difficult for immigrants. This may be partly tied to the upcoming Schengen union. read more »

All Czechs to receive government-issued email address

Dominik Lukeš — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 08:05:08 -0400

According to a new draft law, lower-court summons should be delivered via email. To that end all Czech citizens would receive a government-issued email address. This is to avoid problems with people not picking up their summons from the post office and thus delaying the proceedings. It will be possible to opt-out but then summons not collected withing 10 days will be considered delivered. read more »

Czech court says no to ex-spouse's snooping

Dominik Lukeš — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 10:58:39 -0400

Just a little curiosity but also an example of privacy becoming a greater concern than it has traditionally been in the Czech culture.

Czech man gets suspended sentence for reading his ex's SMS - Europe read more »

Fostering but not adoption for Czech gay couples

Dominik Lukeš — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 04:53:35 -0500

I homosexuální páry můžou vychovávat děti - iDNES.cz
I dva homosexuální muži mají šanci legálně vychovávat dítě. Tou možností je pěstounská péče. Zatímco české zákony zakazují gay párům adoptovat dítě, pěstounskou péči mají povolenou stejně jako smíšená manželství.

Czech law does not allow for gay couples to adopt but it is possible for them to become foster parents. This article describes the first gay couple who is going through the approval process. read more »

Czech sexuologists on pedophilia

Dominik Lukeš — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 08:00:28 -0500

Uzel: Doma u počítače pedofil nikomu neublíží - iDNES.cz
Je spousta pedofilů, kteří za celý život nepřijdou do konfliktu se zákonem. Svou sexuální úchylku dokážou transformovat do různých užitečných aktivit. Můžou se třeba stát spisovateli dětské literatury nebo i oblíbeným vedoucím zájmových kroužků.

Je také velké množství pedofilů, o kterých to nikdo z rodiny ani blízkých příbuzných celý život neví. Tento člověk na dítě ani jednou nesáhne, a to i bez pomoci lékařů. Někdo to prostě dokáže. read more »