The Czech Republic’s constitution aligns with many of the other liberal democracies that Blithe wrote about like France and the Netherlands. However, many will argue that the current government in power in the Czech Republic is certainty pushing the boundaries when it comes to preserving freedoms. The Czech Republic constitution provides “The law provides for freedom of expression. The law provides for some limitations to this freedom, including in cases of hate speech, Holocaust denial, and denial of communist-era crimes” (Human Rights Report, 2017). Much like the other countries mentioned in the reading the Czech Republic promotes free speech but does have limitations in place against certain speech.
As the Czech Republic continues to become more right winged there are very serious threats to free speech and expression. In 2017, 64 members of the Czech Parliament introduced a bill that would make it illegal for people to defame the President (Tamkin, 2016). While some European countries did have law that restricted speech about the government back in the early 20th century, it is rare to see today. The Czech President also just made what some would call racist remarks about Roma. He said that “a 90% unemployment rate among the country’s Roma, earning a rebuke from campaigners and rights activists” (Euractiv, 2018). Not only has the president called out this group of people but the prime minister as well. Many are calling that European judiciary take control and prosecute him on the counts of hate speech. Bleich highlights that courts can make decisions that not everyone agrees with, he states that the French courts have been strict and have sometimes punished speech that should have been protected. In the case of the Czech Republic, the Prime minister and president carry a lot of power, it would be rare to see their courts do anything about it.
The migrant problem has presented the Czech Republic with a very interesting problem regarding speech. Like Blithe points out liberal democracies have had a hard time drawing the line when it comes to freedom of expression and hate speech. Czech Republic officials have been some of the most outspoken when it comes to allowing migrants into the country. The president has said it’s a “road to hell for Europe”, they have declined the EU quota for migrants. It will be very interesting to see if the EU courts or other countries start to condemn the speech of these officials.
The Czech Republic and Russia have had. Very interesting relationship since the 20th century. In 1968, Alexander Dubeck lead the Communist party of Czechoslovakia to overthrow the rule of the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union sent almost a half a million soldiers from Russia nd Warsaw and was able to put down the rebellion unitl the Velvet revolution in 1989. As of recent have had very strong political connections. The far-right party of the Czech Republic, known as the ANO, has gained significant power in the Czech parliament as of recent. The leader of the party is Andrej Babis, and many feels that he will depart from the pro-western ideals instilled in the Prague Spring and be the latest causality in Putin’s campaign to weaken the west. The relationship between Putin and Babis is especially important because of the connection the ANO party has to the Czech President, Milos Zenman. “Zeman has supported Putin’s intervention in Syria and endorsed Russian actions in Eastern Ukraine. He defined the Ukrainian conflict as a civil war between rebels and the state, effectively denying any Russian aggression or military presence on Ukrainian soil” (Ereli, 2017). The president has also made remarks that he disagrees with the sanctions placed on Russia by the EU.
However, most Czech citizens resent Russia, for the dissolution of the Prague Spring. They still feel resentment towards Russia. But again, there are many Czech politicians that are in favor or an improved relationship. Czech Republic there are those on both the far left and the far right who favour improved relations with Russia and dismiss the historical grievances as irrelevant. “Think of our history with the Germans, and now we are friends, said Jaroslav Doubrava, 70, a senator in the Czech parliament” (Walker, 2018). The research shows that there are very important people in the Czech government that support Putin and want to strengthen the relations between the countries. However, it seems that many citizens are having a hard time fading from the strained history between the two countries. It will be really interesting to see how public opinion will be able to influence governments decisions.
“Czech President Defends Assertion That Most Roma Don’t Work.” Euractiv.com. October 08, 2018. Accessed November 18, 2018.
“CZECH REPUBLIC 2017 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT.” State.gov. 2017. Accessed November 18, 2018.
Ereli, Adam. “Is the Czech Republic Falling Under Putin’s Shadow?” Foreign Policy. October 10, 2017. Accessed November 19, 2018.
Tamkin, Emily. “The Czech Republic May Dodge a Bullet to Free Speech This Year. But Will It in 2017?” Foreign Policy. December 01, 2016. Accessed November 19, 2018.
Walker, Shaun. “Russian Presence Divides Czechs 50 Years after Prague Spring.” The Guardian. August 20, 2018. Accessed November 19, 2018.
I thought you drew a great analysis between Bleich and the Czech Republic. I found it very interesting when you wrote about how the Czech government has spoken poorly about migrants and the EU courts have yet to reprimand their doings. The words of the President were very clear and I really liked how you made the connection between Bleich`s ideologies regarding liberal democracies and freedom of speech.