Being here for everyone
You disagree with an authority’s decision or procedure; the authority is inactive even though it should act; its decision-making is taking too long; you were not invited to become a party to certain proceedings; an officer treats you inappropriately, etc.
They treat you, or someone close to you, badly in a retirement home, treatment facility for long-term patients, psychiatric hospital, children’s home, prison, or some other facility, and you think that the Ombudsman should make an inspection.
Do you believe that someone is treating you differently because of your age, sex, nationality or on some other grounds specified by the Anti-Discrimination Act? Is it an authority, a company or local self-government that discriminate against you?
Have you experienced discrimination, unhelpfulness on the part of authorities or ill-treatment because of your disability? Would you like to let us know about any systemic problems, such as unavailability of certain services, barriers, etc.?
Read through our recommendations on how to deal with certain problems, such as debt enforcement, lengthy court proceedings, obtaining a construction permit, bullying at work, pension and social benefits, contact with children after divorce, infractions, etc.
July 18, 2023
The Ombudsman has sent his comments on the draft law amending the Ombudsman Act to the Minister for Legislation. The Government's proposal aims to establish a Children's Ombudsman and a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) under the Office of the Ombudsman. This will entail many new responsibilities and tasks. The Ombudsman therefore advises the Government that adequate funding and staffing are needed to carry out the new mandates with dignity.
July 3, 2023
The Ombudsman's Advisory Body for people with disabilities is alarmed about the large number of people with disabilities in the Czech Republic restricted in their legal capacity. Members of the advisory body expressed their concern during their June session. As Ombudsman's research shows, the courts in the Czech Republic still prefer restrictions of legal capacity to other forms of support. People with restricted legal capacity cannot make independent decisions in important areas of their lives. For example, they cannot freely manage their own property, make decisions about their health, marry or vote. This is contrary to Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The UN Committee has previously criticized the new Czech legislation which continues to allow for restrictions of legal capacity.
January 6, 2023
Dorota Šandorova experienced many years of abuse by caregivers in a social services facility. Two years ago, one of them killed her on the night of 6-7 January. He straddled her, brutally twisted her arms behind her back and pushed her full force against her chest until she fell unconscious and suffocated. The court convicted the perpetrator of murder, then reclassified it as negligent homicide. The incident did not become public until last November and did not appear in professional case reports. Today, we at the Office of the Public Defender of Rights, along with people in other places across the Czech Republic, remembered Dorota Šandorová.