CZECHS ADVANCE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000716

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS ADVANCE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION


1. (U) The Czech cabinet on June 11 gave approval for a wide
ranging new anti-discrimination law. The legislation now
awaits Parliamentary approval, but this not expected until
after Parliament returns from its Summer recess August 7.
The legislation, if passed, would become effective January

2008. Passage of the law was a prerequisite for EU
membership and should have occurred prior to Czech EU entry
in 2004.


2. (U) The legislation guarantees equal treatment and access
to education, work, health care, welfare and housing
regardless of race, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation,
marital status, political affiliation, disability or
membership in a union. Enforcement of the law would fall
under the purview of The Public Defender of Rights, also
referred to as the Ombudsman. The law would strengthen the
Ombudsman,s powers and would allow his office to impose high
fines for discriminatory action.


3. (U) The legislation was drafted by Dzamila Stehlikova, a
member of the Green Party and Minister without Portfolio for
Human Rights and Minority Affairs. In a meeting with the
Ambassador, Minister Stehlikova noted that the Czech Republic
not only has a moral obligation to pass anti-discrimination
legislation but that without it the Czech Republic remained
vulnerable to legal liability if sued.


4. (U) In 2006, similarly worded legislation was put forward
by the then-ruling Social Democrat (CSSD) government. The
Senate vetoed the legislation and the Chamber of Deputies
failed to overrule the veto prior to last year's elections.
CSSD, now in the opposition, has criticized the legislation
for not going far enough to protect the rights of minorities
and the disadvantaged. The legislation is likely to face a
better chance in the Senate this year given the ruling
coalition,s overwhelming majority there.
GRABER