Czechoslovakia: Information on whether a person needed to be a member of the Communist Party (pre-1989) in order to be a member of Svaz Invalidu, an organization for the disabled (deaf)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 July 1991 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CSK8991 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Czechoslovakia: Information on whether a person needed to be a member of the Communist Party (pre-1989) in order to be a member of Svaz Invalidu, an organization for the disabled (deaf), 1 July 1991, CSK8991, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac006c.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was provided during a telephone interview on 8 June 1991 with a Professor of Law at Carleton University who is of Czech origin and is currently assisting in the establishment of a law school in Czechoslovakia.
During Communist rule in Czechoslovakia, the government combined the various specialized organizations for disabled persons into one state organization for all disabled persons (regardless of type of disability) known as Svaz Invalid, meaning Union or Association of Invalids. The organization provided benefits to its members such as disability pensions, aids for the disabled or access to special facilities. However, like most organizations in Czechoslovakia at this time, it was operated primarily for the benefit of the state and Communist Party, serving as a means of furthering Communist propaganda and control of society.
In general, membership in the Communist Party was not necessary to be a member of Svaz Invalid, however, the leadership of the organization and those involved with the administration of funds had to be members of the Communist Party. The Communist Party provided vouchers or coupons to members of the organization which entitled them to receive aids such as wheelchairs or other benefits. A disabled person had to be a member of Svaz Invalid in order to receive benefits, including disability pensions. Members of the organization were told that benefits received were due to the generosity of the Party.
Early in 1990, membership in Svaz Invalid ceased being mandatory in order for disabled persons to receive benefits. The organization is now one of several providing services to disabled persons.
There is no further information currently available to the IRBDC specific to this topic, however, please find attached a short article from Xinhua dated 1984 on a Czechoslovak association of disabled persons (Xinhua General Overseas News Service 26 November 1984).
Bibliography
Professor of Law, Carleton University, Ottawa. 8 June 1991. Telephone interview.
Attachment
Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 26 November 1984. "Disabled Persons Meet in Prague," [Prague] 25 November 1984.
