Czech Republic Names First Children’s Ombudsman: Martin Beneš

In an interview for the  Human Rights Bulletin, Beneš outlined the key priorities he intends to focus on in his new role:

“My priority is to ensure a well-functioning and regionally balanced system of social and legal protection of children, including all its related structures. This includes thorough preparation for the upcoming ban on placing children under the age of seven in institutional care, which will come into force in two years, as well as the broader reform of institutional care. I also see as essential addressing the needs of children and young people in the area of mental health, and ensuring equal access not only to education but also to other basic needs, such as healthcare and decent housing.”

Martin Beneš

Martin Beneš has spent most of his professional career at a District Court, first serving as a judge in the commercial division and later as the court’s president. In 2016, he became a guardianship judge, a position he held until now. In this role, he worked within an interdisciplinary team, applying the principles of problem-solving justice.

In addition to his judicial career, he has been active as a consultant and lecturer, focusing on guardianship, shared parenting, and parental disputes resolution. He has collaborated with organisations including the Ministry of Justice, the Judicial Academy and the Czech Bar Association.

He has completed several professional placements, including a six-month internship at the European Court of Human Rights. He is also a member of the Active Reserve of the Czech Armed Forces.

Establishment of the Children’s Ombudsman

The Children’s Ombudsman institution began operating in the Czech Republic on 1 July 2025. For the first eight months, the Deputy Children’s Ombudsman, Vít Alexander Schorm carried out this role. 

Until recently, the Czech Republic was one of the last EU countries without a dedicated Children’s Ombudsman. This gap reflected an outstanding obligation stemming from the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as recommendations from the United Nations and the Council of Europe.

Several years of debate preceded the current legal framework establishing the Children’s Ombudsman. A major breakthrough came in April 2024, when the government approved the amendment. The bill was then submitted to the Chamber of Deputies, which gave it final approval in January 2025. It subsequently passed the Senate in February 2025, completing the legislative process with the signature of President Petr Pavel in March 2025.