Category: Articles
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An Unholy Alliance: Duka, Kirk, and the War on Empathy
The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a profoundly polarizing American right-wing influencer and debateur, sent shockwaves across the Atlantic earlier this month. But few could have predicted the surreal chapter of this story would be written in Prague. In a move that has bewildered and angered many, Cardinal Dominik Duka, a senior conservative figure in the…
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The Failings of Czech Church and State: Sexual Abuse
In what stands as a landmark victory for justice and human rights in the Czech Republic, the Constitutional Court recently overturned the decisions of lower courts and reopened the case of a woman who was allegedly sexually abused for years by a Roman Catholic priest. The ruling is a testament to the victim’s incredible perseverance.…
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Czechs and the Persistent Allure of the Death Penalty
In the landscape of modern European democracies, capital punishment is largely a relic of a bygone era. The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990, a landmark decision symbolizing a definitive break from its totalitarian past. And yet, more than three decades later, a stubborn paradox remains: a majority of Czech citizens would welcome…
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A body that would not disappear: Czech Sect Murder Case
“I believed him. I loved him. I thought I was doing the right thing.” These are not the words of a hardened criminal, but of a Czech dentist and former teacher — two ordinary women who, under the influence of a charismatic self-proclaimed healer, killed him with their own hands. And then, perhaps even more…
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“March for Life” and the Struggle for Czech Secularism
In April 2025, Prague once again witnessed the “March for Lie”… sorry “March for Life” – an annual public demonstration against abortion organised by the ultra-conservative Christian association Hnutí pro život (“Movement for Life”). The march was blocked by pro-choice counter-protesters and eventually dispersed by police. The march didn’t reach its final destination. While it…
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Tensions Within Czech Catholicism: The Impact of Vácha’s Removal
The Czech Republic, often touted as one of the most atheistic nations in Europe, has recently witnessed a contentious episode within its Catholic Church, highlighting the deep-seated tensions between traditionalist and progressive factions, as well as broader issues of conservatism, transparency, and the handling of sexual abuse allegations. The controversy surrounding the dismissal of Marek…
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The Czech Republic and the Vatican: A Controversial Concordat
The Czech Republic is currently embroiled in a heated debate over the ratification of a concordat with the Vatican. This agreement, long a source of contention, has sparked significant concern among proponents of secularism, human rights advocates, and those seeking justice for victims of sexual abuse. Signed in October 2024 by Prime Minister Petr Fiala…
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End of sterilization as a condition for official sex change
We wholeheartedly welcome the Constitutional Court’s decision to abolish the legal requirements for surgery and sterilization as a condition for official sex change. This decision is an important victory for personal autonomy and human dignity for transgender and non-binary people in our country. In its ruling, the Constitutional Court today clearly stated that the legal…
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Beyond the economic impact of sexualized violence and the Christian lobby
Sexualized violence is a dark stain on the face of Czech society, affecting the lives of thousands of women every year. New research presented by proFem and MindBridge Consulting presents alarming data on the economic impact and consequences that ripple through our society.The research found that more than half of women have experienced some form of sexualized violence, while one in five women…
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Strawmanning & refusing Istanbul Convention
The Senate of the Czech Republic voted narrowly not to ratify the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Only 34 of the 71 senators present voted in favour of ratification, which was not enough to achieve the required majority of 36 votes. The failure to ratify the Convention is disappointing for victims of…