Czechoslovakia: Information on the current treatment of Slovaks by the state in Czechoslovakia and the possibilities of Slovaks acquiring protection from the state
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1991 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CSK9751 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Czechoslovakia: Information on the current treatment of Slovaks by the state in Czechoslovakia and the possibilities of Slovaks acquiring protection from the state, 1 November 1991, CSK9751, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abc75e.html [accessed 21 May 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. |
Information specific to the current treatment of Slovaks by the state in Czechoslovakia is not currently available to the IRBDC. However, general information on ethnic tensions between Czechs and Slovaks and the sovereignty issue is provided by the Response to Information Request CZE8637 and the attached articles.
A Bill of Fundamental Rights and Liberties was adopted by the Czechoslovak Federal Assembly in January 1991 (RFE 25 Jan. 1991, 1; AP 10 Jan. 1991). According to Radio Free Europe, "the fifth section of the bill guarantees everyone the right to ask the courts or some other state body to protect his rights" (RFE 25 Jan. 1991, 3). Please see the attached article for details. A subsequent article, also attached, indicates that the courts and the judiciary are currently being reformed, but continue to face many problems (RFE 23 Aug. 1991, 9).
A recent Radio Free Europe article reports that the Federal and Republican governments are making efforts to reform the Czechoslovak police forces. However, the report also indicates that the police "have a bad reputation, lack funds, and are inefficient" (13 Sept. 1991, 5). Please see the attached article for details.
Further information specific to the possibility of Slovaks obtaining protection from the state is not currently available to the IRBDC.
Bibliography
The Associated Press (AP). 10 January 1991. "Czechoslovakia's Parliament Adopts Bill of Rights."
Radio Free Europe. 13 September 1991. Vol. 2, No. 37. Report on Eastern Europe. Obrman, Jan. "The New Police Forces."
. 23 August 1991. Vol. 2, No. 34. Report on Eastern Europe. Pehe, Jiri. "Reforming the Judiciary."
. 25 January 1991. Vol. 2, No. 4. Report on Eastern Europe. Pehe, Jiri. "Bill of Fundamental Rights and Liberties Adopted."
Attachments
The Associated Press (AP). 10 January 1991. "Czechoslovakia's Parliament Adopts Bill of Rights."
The Economist. 2 November 1991. "Ready for Divorce."
Immigration and Refugee Board Documentation Centre. 23 May 1991. Response to Information Request CSK8637.
Radio Free Europe. 11 October 1991. Vol. 2, No. 41. Report on Eastern Europe. Pehe, Jiri. "Bid For Slovak Sovereignty Causes Political Upheaval."
. 20 September 1991. Vol. 2, No. 38. Report on Eastern Europe. Obrman, Jan. "Further Discussions on the Future of the Federation."
. 13 September 1991. Vol. 2, No. 37. Report on Eastern Europe. Obrman, Jan. "The New Police Forces."
. 30 August 1991. Vol. 2, No. 35. Report on Eastern Europe. Pehe, Jiri. "Controversy Over the Referendum on the Future of Czechoslovakia."
. 23 August 1991. Vol. 2, No. 34. Report on Eastern Europe. Pehe, Jiri. "Reforming the Judiciary."
. 25 January 1991. Vol. 2, No. 4. Report on Eastern Europe. Pehe, Jiri. "Bill of Fundamental Rights and Liberties Adopted."
Uncaptive Minds. Summer 1991. Vol. IV, No. 2 (16). Darski, Józef. "Slovakia: The Power Game."
