The Committee noted with concern the absence of a clear definition of discrimination in Czech legislation, as well as adequate national machinery. In addition, the Committee expressed concerns that the approach to increasing prostitution and trafficking was that of combating organized crime, without regard to factors such as poverty and unemployment. The Committee recommended that the Czech government begin developing national machinery to implement the Convention, by drawing upon the experiences of other EU countries. The Committee also urged the adoption of laws and programs, including education, training and research, to combat all forms of violence against women. Finally the Committee invited the government to combat prostitution and trafficking not only through victim services and the prosecution of offenders, but also through socio-economic initiatives designed to create opportunities for women.
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women expressed its concern that existing national machinery for the advancement of women in the Czech Republic lacks power and resources. Regarding violence against women specifically, the Committee comment was as follows: "The Committee calls upon the State party to ensure that such violence is prosecuted and punished with the required seriousness and speed, and that women victims of violence have immediate means of redress and protection, including protection orders. The Committee requests the State party to enact legislation on domestic violence. It recommends that measures be taken to provide shelters for women victims of violence in sufficient numbers and to ensure that public officials, especially law enforcement officials, the judiciary, health-care providers and social workers, are fully sensitized to all forms of violence against women. The Committee invited the State party to undertake awareness-raising measures through the media and public education programmes, including a campaign of zero tolerance, to make such violence socially and morally unacceptable."
Third Periodic Report
Due: 24 March 2002
Not submitted
* On 1 January 1993, Czechoslovakia dissolved into the states of Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic considers itself bound by international treaties to which it and the Slovak Federal Republic was a party to as of 1 January 1993.
Czech Republic's Third Periodic Report under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was due on 24 March 2002 and is now OVERDUE.
