A/HRC/WG. 6/1/CZE/4
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13. Since 2003, the Czech Republic has been on a regular basis preparing national strategies for
combating trafficking in human beings. A programme on support and protection of victims of
trafficking offers them assistance including emergency psychosocial or health care, accommodation
and support for integration, which may in the case of foreigners include change of their residence
status or voluntary return to their country of origin secured in cooperation with the International
Organization for Migration in Prague.
14. Since 2000, the Czech Republic has been preparing on a regular basis the National Plan on
Combating Commercial Sexual Abuse of Children. The amendment of 2007 to the Criminal Code
criminalized possession of child pornography. The amendment introduced stricter punishment for
associated crimes.
15. The prohibition of the use of so-called cage beds is an important step in the treatment of
mentally disabled people both in health-care and social care facilities. In social care facilities net
beds were also removed. Other restrictive measures are permitted only in extreme cases, and the
Government is monitoring the gradual reduction of their use. In November 2007, the Government
approved the proposal made by the Governmental Council for Human Rights on measures
restricting the movement of persons in social care facilities.
16. In 2007 the Act on Public Health was amended to include inpatients’ entitlement to examine
their own medical record, also the right to make copies of them. It further stressed the importance of
patients’ informed consent. This practice is one of the Government’s measures to prevent
malpractice related to sterilization.
17. In 2006, a new law was adopted regarding domestic violence. This law introduced a new
concept under which a police officer has the authority to banish the violent person from the
common household for a period of 10 days.
18. The Czech Republic also places much emphasis on the rights of all minorities, including
homosexuals. In 2006 it passed the Act on Registered Partnership allowing the recognition of legal
relation of same-sex couples by the State.
19. The Czech Republic, like other European countries, is now increasingly becoming the new
home for immigrants. The implementation of the Concept of Integration of Foreigners, prepared
in 1999, is reviewed on an annual basis. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is responsible
for coordinating the integration of foreigners.
B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review
20.
During the ensuing interactive dialogue, statements were made by 21 delegations.
21. The Russian Federation indicated that it much appreciated the contribution of the
Czech Republic in the institution-building process of the Human Rights Council, in particular in
enhancing the effectiveness of the special procedures system. The Russian Federation commended
the Czech Republic on the achievements in protecting all categories of rights of their citizens, and
thanked the delegation for the answers provided to the questions put in advance. It stated that,
taking into account the significant number of minorities living in the Czech Republic, the
Government would be well advised to look into additional measures in view of ensuring the full
exercise by these peoples of their rights and their integration in the society. The Russian Federation
recommended that the Czech Republic take all measures to prevent any kind of reappearance of
Nazism and not to let any such activities go unpunished, referring, inter alia, to demonstrations.
Roma should be protected and any kind of racial discrimination against them should be eliminated.
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