Čtvrtek 28. března 2024, svátek má Soňa
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Lidovky.cz

Thousands of Czechs seek recognition as ‘Third Resistance’ members

  18:16

Defense Ministry has yet to process applications for official recognition of activists who fought against the Czechoslovak communist regime 

foto: © ČESKÁPOZICE/ Richard CortésČeská pozice

The Czech Ministry of Defense says that in February it should make the first decisions on applications for recognition for having actively resisted the communist regime in Czechoslovakia, and that an appeals tribunal is currently being established.

The law on the so-called Third Resistance came into force on November 22, 2011, the day of the 22nd anniversary of the fall of the former regime. Those who are recognized as having been part of the active opposition will be entitled to one-off payments and top-ups to their pensions. To date some 2,400 applications have been received, the ministry announced on Friday.

“So far, no recognition of participation in the resistance or opposition to communism has been issued, and no application has been rejected. The law stipulates measures and processes we are obliged to follow, thus the processing will take a while,” defense ministry spokesman Jan Pejšek was cited as saying by Czech Television (ČT) on Friday.

To review appeals against rejections of recognition, the ministry is forming a so-called Ethics Tribunal comprised of representatives from the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes (ÚSTR) and the Senate, along with two deputies from the lower house of Parliament, two people nominated by the government and two by President Václav Klaus.

All those who are recognized will receive a one-off payment of Kč 100,000 while widows and widowers of Third Resistance members recognized posthumously will receive Kč 50,000. Those now receiving state pensions below the medium level will receive the medium rate after recognition.

The relevant law defines resistance and opposition as follows:

According to Paragraph 2 of the law, resistance and opposition against communism is understood as participation in activities aimed against the communist regime in Czechoslovakia undertaken individually or within a group on the basis of political, religious, or moral democratic convictions, or conscious and public expression of such opposition on the territory of the state and/or abroad including in cooperation with foreign democratic forces. … with the aim of removing, significantly weakening, abolishing, or in some way damaging the communist totalitarian power in Czechoslovakia and renewing freedom and democracy.  

In order to establish whether actions qualify as resistance and opposition as defined by Law no. 262/2011, several general conditions must be met. Anti-state anti-communist activity must have been conducted as follows: 

  • on the basis of political, religious, or moral democratic convictions  
  • with the aim of removing, significantly weakening, abolishing, or in some way damaging the communist totalitarian power in Czechoslovakia and renewing freedom and democracy  
  • with risk to one’s life, personal freedom and private property

The law is not applicable and recognition will not be issued in the event that even one of these conditions is not met.

Former members of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSČ), the People’s Militia, members of the communist secret police (StB) and security services, the Union of Czechoslovak-Soviet Friendship following the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, are automatically disqualified from recognition.

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