COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2024 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 2024 Rule of Law Report The rule of law situation in the European Union
Date: 2024-07-24
Institutions: European Commission, Secretariat-General
Subjects: Czechia, administrative transparency, corruption, democracy, freedom of the press, independence of the judiciary, infringement of EU law, pluralism in the media, rule of law, whistleblowing

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  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 24.7.2024  SWD(2024) 803 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2024 Rule of Law Report  Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 2024 Rule of Law Report    The rule of law situation in the European Union {COM(2024) 800 final} - {SWD(2024) 801 final} - {SWD(2024) 802 final} - {SWD(2024) 804 final} - {SWD(2024) 805 final} - {SWD(2024) 806 final} - {SWD(2024) 807 final} - {SWD(2024) 808 final} - {SWD(2024) 809 final} - {SWD(2024) 810 final} - {SWD(2024) 811 final} - {SWD(2024) 812 final} - {SWD(2024) 813 final} - {SWD(2024) 814 final} - {SWD(2024) 815 final} - {SWD(2024) 816 final} - {SWD(2024) 817 final} - {SWD(2024) 818 final} - {SWD(2024) 819 final} - {SWD(2024) 820 final} - {SWD(2024) 821 final} - {SWD(2024) 822 final} - {SWD(2024) 823 final} - {SWD(2024) 824 final} - {SWD(2024) 825 final} - {SWD(2024) 826 final} - {SWD(2024) 827 final} - {SWD(2024) 828 final} - {SWD(2024) 829 final} - {SWD(2024) 830 final} - {SWD(2024) 831 final}  
 
 
ABSTRACT 

A reform of the prosecution service was adopted, introducing safeguards for the dismissal of 
the Prosecutor General and other chief prosecutors in line with the recommendations of 2023. 
The selection procedure for judges generally works well and efforts are undertaken to address 
practical shortcomings that have emerged. Reform of the disciplinary proceedings in the case 
of judges, prosecutors and bailiffs is discussed in Parliament, introducing a second instance. 
Digitalisation of the justice system is moving ahead, with the preparations for a progressive 
roll out of the delayed e-file system. Provisions on legal aid have been amended to broaden 
access and an amendment enhancing the protection of attorney confidentiality is in Parliament. 
An amendment limiting the use of the institute of lay judges is in Parliament. The method for 
determining judges’ salaries was modified to reduce salary increases, however, was ruled as 
unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court. Low salaries of court and prosecution assistant 
staff  remain  an  issue.  The  justice  system  performs  efficiently  and  has  seen  steady 
improvements in areas such as the length of administrative cases. 

The  Anti-Corruption  Strategy  2023-2026  is  being  implemented  although  civil  society 
continues to criticise a lack of prioritisation by the Government of anti-corruption initiatives. 
Cooperation between institutions in the fight against corruption continues to lead to a steady 
flow  of  investigations,  prosecutions,  and  convictions.  High-level  corruption  cases  remain  a 
point  of  attention  due  to  delays  in  some  proceedings.  Enforcement  in  foreign  bribery  cases 
remains  limited  despite  a  framework  being  in  place.  Revised  conflict  of  interest  legislation 
entered into force which clarified the definition of beneficial ownership and rules on media 
ownership. Preliminary steps were taken to consider the revision of rules on asset declarations 
and  revolving  doors.  Revised  ethics  rules  for  civil  servants  were  adopted  and  the  ethics 
framework was improved for the Chamber of Deputies. The Office for the Supervision of the 
Finances  of  Political  Parties  and  Movements  was  reformed,  while  amendments  to  the 
Constitution to strengthen the Supreme Audit Office are being discussed. A risk measurement 
methodology  was prepared to  inform future  anti-corruption action, while  the area of public 
procurement is seen as an area at high-risk of corruption. 

Legislative reforms have brought about positive developments to the media landscape. Legal 
guarantees for the independence of the media regulator, the Council for Radio and Television 
Broadcasting, are in place. Significant progress has been made to enhance the independence of 
public service media governance by means of a law amending both the Czech Television Act 
and the Czech Radio Act while concerns relating to the financial sustainability of public service 
media  persist.  Amendments  to  legislation  regulating  conflicts  of  interest  have  an  important 
bearing  on  media  ownership  by  politicians  by  excluding  elected  officials  from  all  forms  of 
media ownership though online media remains outside the scope of this legislation. There have 
been no developments in relation to transparency of media ownership and state advertising. 
Concerns continue to be voiced regarding the economic challenges faced by independent media 
and online harassment of journalists. 

The use of accelerated legislative procedures has decreased. A new public digital platform for 
accessing legislation was launched. Work continues to enhance the participation of civil society 
in policy-making processes with a new methodology being piloted. Some further steps have 
been made to establish a National Human Rights Institution, as an amendment to entrust the 
Ombudsperson with that function is discussed in Parliament. An ongoing systemic review of 
the  financing  framework  is  expected  to  conclude  by  2024.  Public  authorities  have  taken 
initiatives to foster the rule of law culture. 

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RECOMMENDATIONS 

Overall, concerning the recommendations in the 2023 Rule of Law Report, Czechia has made: 

•  Significant  progress  on  continuing  to  advance  the  reform  of  the  prosecution  service 
retaining  the  original  aim  to  introduce  safeguards  for  the  dismissal  of  the  Prosecutor 
General and other chief public prosecutors, taking into account European standards on the 
independence and autonomy of the prosecution. 

•  Some  progress  on  taking  measures  on  reducing  the  length  of  proceedings  and  ensure 

independence of investigation and prosecution in high-level corruption cases.  

•  Some  progress  on  strengthening  the  integrity  framework  for  members  of  Parliament,  in 
particular by complementing the existing rules as regards revolving doors and lobbying.  
•  Significant  progress  on  completing  the  revision  of  legislation  on  conflicts  of  interest, 
including by clarifying the definition of beneficial ownership and no further progress in 
relation to further reforms relating to transparency of information on media ownership. 
•  Significant progress on strengthening the rules and mechanisms to enhance the independent 
governance  of  public  service  media  taking  into  account  European  standards  on  public 
service media. 

•  Some further progress on advancing the legislative changes to establish a National Human 

Rights Institution taking into account the UN Paris Principles.  

On this basis, and considering other developments that took place in the period of reference, 
and in addition to recalling the relevant commitments made under the Recovery and Resilience 
Plan, it is recommended to Czechia to: 

•  Take measures to address the remuneration of judges, and judicial and prosecutorial staff, 
taking  into  account  European  standards  on  resources  and  remuneration  for  the  justice 
system.  

•  Take  measures  to  reduce  the  length  of  proceedings  and  ensure  independence  of 

investigation and prosecution in high-level corruption cases. 

•  Take further measures to strengthen the integrity framework for all members of Parliament, 
in particular by complementing the existing rules as regards revolving doors and lobbying. 
•  Progress with further reforms relating to transparency of information on media ownership. 
•  Ensure that rules or mechanisms are in place to provide funding for public service media 
that  is  appropriate  for  the  realisation  of  its  public  service  remit  while  guaranteeing  its 
independence. 

•  Continue  to  advance  the  legislative  changes  to  establish  a  National  Human  Rights 

Institution taking into account the UN Paris Principles. 

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I. 

JUSTICE SYSTEM  

The Czech justice system  is  composed of 86 district  courts, eight regional  courts, two high 
courts, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court. The Constitutional Court is 
tasked  with  guaranteeing  constitutionality  of  legislation,  and  with  the  protection  of 
fundamental rights and freedoms. The central body of state responsible for the administration 
of the courts is the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice performs state administration 
of high, regional and district courts to the extent stipulated by law, either directly or through 
the presidents of these courts. These various authorities take into account the opinions of the 
relevant  judicial  councils,  which  are  established  at  the  Supreme  Court,  the  Supreme 
Administrative  Court,  high  courts,  regional  courts  and  larger  district  courts.  Judges  are 
appointed by the President of the Republic, from candidates selected by selection committees 
and  presented  by  the  Minister  of  Justice.  The  Prosecution  Service  is  part  of  the  executive 
branch. Public prosecutors are appointed into their office for an indefinite time by the Minister 
of Justice on a proposal from the Prosecutor General. The Prosecutor General is appointed and 
recalled by the Government on a proposal from the Minister of Justice. Czechia participates in 
the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). The Bar Association is established by law 
and is independent. It performs public administration in the area of the legal profession and 
provides  self-regulation  for  the  entire  profession.  The  self-governing  power  of  the  Bar  is 
limited by the power of the Minister of Justice in the areas listed by law. 

Independence  

The level of perceived judicial independence in Czechia is now average among both the 
general public and companies. Overall, 54% of the general population and 57% of companies 
perceive the level of independence of courts and judges to be ‘fairly or very good’ in 20241. 
The perceived judicial independence among the general public has decreased in comparison 
with  2023  (65%),  as  well  as  in  comparison  with  2020  (56%).  The  perceived  judicial 
independence among  companies has decreased in comparison  with  2023 (60%), inverting a 
previous increasing trend, although it remains higher in comparison with 2020 (44%)2.  

Significant  progress  was  made  as  the  reform  of  the  prosecution  service  was  adopted, 
introducing  safeguards  for  the  dismissal  of  the  Prosecutor  General  and  other  chief 
prosecutors. The 2023 Rule of Law Report recommended Czechia to ‘continue to advance the 
reform  of  the  prosecution  service  retaining  the  original  aim  to  introduce  safeguards  for  the 
dismissal  of  the  Prosecutor  General  and  other  chief  public  prosecutors,  taking  into  account 
European standards on the independence and autonomy of the prosecution’3. The reform was 
adopted  by  Parliament  on  7  March  2024  and  entered  into  force  on  1  July  2024 4.  It  has 
introduced, amongst other changes, amendments to the process of appointing and dismissing 
chief district, regional, and supreme public prosecutors (“chief public prosecutors”), as well as 
the  Prosecutor  General.  As  regards  the  regime  for  the  chief  public  prosecutors,  eligibility 

1   Figures 51 and 53, 2024 EU Justice  Scoreboard, and Figures 50 and 52, 2022 EU Justice Scoreboard. The 
level  of  perceived  judicial  independence  is  categorised  as  follows:  very  low  (below  30%  of  respondents 
perceive judicial independence as fairly good and very good); low (between 30-39%), average (between 40-
59%), high (between 60-75%), very high (above 75%). 

2   61% of the companies in Czechia are either fairly or very confident that their investments are protected by the 
law  and  courts  in  the  Member  State.  21%  of  the  surveyed  companies  see  the  quality,  efficiency  or 
independence of justice as one of the main reasons for concern about investment protection in the country. 
Figures 55 and 56, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.  

3   2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 2.  
4   Bill No. 463, available at: https://www.psp.cz/sqw/historie.sqw?o=9&T=463. 

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requirements  for  their  appointment  were  laid  down5,  while  the  nomination  of  the  district, 
regional  and  supreme  chief  public  prosecutors  will  be  done  exclusively  through  a  selection 
procedure 6.  The  reform  also  limited  the  term  of  their  office  to  seven  years 7.  As  regards 
dismissal,  chief  public  prosecutors  may  now  be  dismissed  only  as  a  result  of  disciplinary 
proceedings8.  The  amendment  also  sets  out  new  eligibility  criteria  for  Prosecutor  General 
candidates 9 ,  which  brings  the  appointment  procedure  closer  to  European  standards.  The 
standards recommend that, in case the Government has some control over the appointment of 
the Prosecutor General, the method of selection should be such as to gain the confidence and 
respect of the public as well as of the members of the judicial and prosecutorial system and 
legal profession10. The term of office the Prosecutor General is limited to seven years as well 
and is non-renewable11, which is in line with European standards12. The previous system of 
dismissal  of  the  Prosecutor  General  by  the  Government  on  the  proposal  of  the  Minister  of 
Justice  remains13.  However,  the  dismissal  of  the  Prosecutor  General  is  now  limited  to  two 
substantive conditions14 and the amendment introduced a possibility for the Prosecutor General 
to challenge the decision before the Supreme Administrative Court15. This reform constitutes 
an  improvement  to  the  current  regime16.  However,  as  stated  in  the  2023  Report,  European 
standards call also for clarity on the conditions for the pre-term dismissal of the Prosecutor 
General, an ex ante opinion of an expert body as to whether there are sufficient grounds for 
dismissal, and a fair hearing of the Prosecutor General in dismissal proceedings17.. Although it 

5   Section 10 para 2 of the Act No. 283/1993 Coll. on public prosecution service, as amended by Act No. 83/2024 

Coll. 

6   Section  10  para  2.  Before  the  amendments,  the  law  merely  stipulated  that  a  chief  public  prosecutor  is 
nominated by the superior chief public prosecutor (i.e. District chief public prosecutor is nominated by regional, 
regional by supreme, supreme by the Prosecutor General). The concrete rules of the selection procedure will 
be laid down by the Prosecutor General, as stipulated in Section 12 para 7 of the law. 

7   Section 10 para 1. 
8   Section 10 para 6. The law has also introduced disciplinary offences of the chief public prosecutors.  
9   Section 9 para 3 newly stipulates that there is a requirement of at least 10 years of legal experience of the 
candidate,  including  at  least  6  years  as  a  public  prosecutor.  Para  2  also  specifies  that  candidate  may  be 
appointed only if his or her expertise, professional experience, people management skills and moral qualities 
provide guarantees for the proper performance of the office of the Prosecutor General. 

10   Opinion No. 9 (2014) of the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors to the Committee of Ministers of 

the Council of Europe. European norms and principles concerning prosecutors, p. 79, para 56. 

11   As already reported in last year’s Report, some stakeholders considered that a longer term of office for the 
Prosecutor General would be more appropriate, to match the length of the term of court presidents. See also 
2023 Rule of Law  Report,  Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 5. Information also 
provided in the context of the country visit to Czechia from the Union of Public Prosecutors. Section 9 para 1 
for the Prosecutor General and Section 10 for other chief public prosecutors.  

12   Opinion No. 9 (2014) of the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors to the Committee of Ministers of 

the Council of Europe. European norms and principles concerning prosecutors, p. 79, para 56. 

13   Section 9 para 1. 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 5. 2023 
Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, pp. 4 and 5. Figure 65, 2024 EU 
Justice Scoreboard. 

14   Section 9 para 6 of the draft amendment sets two conditions, under which the Government may dismiss the 
Prosecutor General: i) if the Prosecutor General fundamentally undermines, by culpable gross breach of his or 
her  duties  or  grossly  inappropriate  conduct  or  behaviour,  confidence  in  the  proper  functioning  of  the 
prosecution system, in particular confidence in the legality of his or her actions or in his or her impartiality or 
professionalism; ii) or has fundamentally undermined the reputation of the prosecution system. 

15   Section 9b.  
16   This opinion was also provided by the Office of the Prosecutor General in the context of the country visit to 

Czechia. 

17   2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 5; Venice Commission, 
Independence  of  the  Judicial  System,  Part  II:  The  Prosecution  Service,  CDLAD(2010)040,  paras.  39-40. 
Generally, the reform is viewed by stakeholders as a compromise, and according to some, there is still room 

4 

 
 
 
did not take European standards fully into account, the adopted reform introduces safeguards 
for the dismissal of the Prosecutor General and other chief public prosecutors and therefore 
there was significant progress on the recommendation made in the 2023 Rule of Law Report. 

The new selection procedure for judges generally works well and efforts are undertaken 
to address practical shortcomings that have emerged. As reported in the 2023 Rule of Law 
Report, the amended procedure is in force since January 202218. An amendment to a ministerial 
decree further regulating the conduct of the selection procedures19, came into force on 1 July 
2023. This amendment follows a one-year long experience with the new system of selecting 
judges. The amending decree introduces, inter alia, a uniform level of difficulty for the written 
part  of  the  selection  procedure  and  establishes  a  rule  of  transferability  of  the  result  of  a 
successful candidate for the position of judge to other selection procedure at the same regional 
court20. Stakeholders welcomed the new selection procedure and report that it generally works 
well21. The Ministry of Justice is in dialogue with the judiciary about the implementation of 
the  reform,  including  to  address  several  practical  shortcomings  that  have  emerged 22.  The 
overall assessment of the reform will be based on a longer period of experience with the new 
selection system. 

Reform  of  the  disciplinary  proceedings  regarding  judges,  prosecutors  and  bailiffs  is 
discussed in Parliament, introducing a second instance. The 2022 and 2023 Rule of Law 
Reports noted the legislative efforts to reform the disciplinary regime for judges23. The draft 
law is currently discussed in Parliament, where it was tabled on 14 February 2024, and it is 
anticipated  that  it  will  enter  into  force  on  1  January  2025 24 .  The  reform  is  part  of  the 
commitments under the Czech Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP)25 and responds also to a 
GRECO  recommendation26.  Its  aim  includes  introducing  the  possibility  to  appeal  decisions 
taken by a disciplinary court27. Some stakeholders noted that the reform risks introducing a 

for  improvement.  Contribution  from  NeoN/Glopolis  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  12  and  the 
Reconstruction of the State and the Network for the Protection of Democracy, p. 11. Information provided in 
the context of the country visit to Czechia from the Union of Public Prosecutors. 

18   2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 3. 
19   Decree No. 206/2023 Coll. of 26 June 2023 amending Decree No. 516/2021 Coll. on the professional judicial 
examination,  selection  and  training  of  judicial  candidates,  selection  of  candidates  for  the  office  of  judge, 
selection of court presidents and amending Decree No. 37/1992 Coll. on the rules of procedure for district and 
regional courts, as amended (‘Decree No. 206/2023'). 

20   Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 1. Decree No. 206/2023. 
21   Information provided in the context of the country visit in Czechia from the Union of Judges, Supreme Court, 

and Supreme Administrative Court. 

22   E.g. it was reported that candidates for the position of a judge may apply for more selection procedures at once, 
which creates administrative burden, or to motivate court managers to open positions within their courts to 
offer positions for their assistants. Information provided in the context of the country visit to Czechia by the 
Ministry of Justice and Union of Judges.  

23   2022 and 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 3 for both. 
24   Bill  No.  634  Amending  the  Act  No.  7/2002  Coll.,  on  proceedings  in  the  cases  of  judges,  prosecutors  and 
bailiffs, as amended, and other related laws. The provisions on the appointment of the members of the panels 
of the new disciplinary courts and the replacement of these members are anticipated to come into effect already 
on the 15th day after the publication of the Amendment in the Collection of Laws and International Treaties. 
Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 3.  

25   Reform 2 Strengthening the legislative framework and transparency in the areas of courts, judges, prosecutors 

and bailiffs, component 4.3. 

26   GRECO Fourth Evaluation Round  – Evaluation Report, recommendation ix, introducing the possibility for 

judges to challenge disciplinary decisions including for dismissal before a court. 

27   The  current draft foresees that the High courts would become the first instance courts, while the Supreme 
Court and the Supreme Administrative Court would constitute a second instance in case of appeal against the 

5 

 
 
 
more burdensome and complex procedure 28. Introducing  the possibility to  appeal  decisions 
taken by a disciplinary court is in line with EU law and reflects European standards29.  

Quality  

Digitalisation  of  the  justice  system  is  moving  ahead,  with  the  preparations  for  a 
progressive roll out of the delayed e-file system under way. The level of digitalisation is 
advanced.  Procedural  rules  enabling  digital  tools  in  courts  are  in  place 30 and  some  digital 
solutions to initiate and follow proceedings, especially in civil, commercial and administrative 
cases,  are  already  available 31 .  The  use  of  distance  communication  technology  and  the 
availability of secure electronic communication in courts and the prosecution service have been 
broadened32. The Ministry of Justice has responded to the serious shortcomings identified by 
the Supreme Audit Office in the implementation of the eJustice strategy, reported on in the 
2023  Report 33 ,  with  organisational  changes,  an  updated  conceptual  framework 34  and  the 
prioritisation of key projects, in particular the e-file35. Stakeholders, have, however, pointed 
out again that the progress in digitalisation has been slow and that practical obstacles persist, 
such  as  lacking  interconnectedness  of  the  electronic  systems  within  the  judiciary  and 
compatibility  of  the  different  electronic  systems  used  in  the  justice  system36.  After  delays, 
reported in the previous Rule of Law Reports37, the Ministry of Justice is finalising preparations 
for a progressive roll out of the e-file system. It will be launched in selected courts in the second 
half of 202438. A call for tender for an electronic information management system for public 
prosecution  is  under  preparation 39 .  The  publication  of  court  decisions  has  also  been 
progressing, with further categories of decisions to be published from 1 July 2024, underpinned 
by a new information system designed for pseudonymisation of final court decisions40.  

Provisions  on  legal  aid  have  been  amended  to  broaden  access  and  an  amendment 
enhancing the protection of attorney confidentiality is in Parliament. Amendments to the 

decision  of  one  of  the  High  courts  (Section  3  of  the  draft  Act).  Other  aspects  of  the  reform  are  a  new 
composition of the disciplinary chambers and the extended number of disciplinary courts. Input from Czechia 
for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 3. Contribution from the Czech Bar Association, pp. 7-8.  

28   Information  provided  in  the  context  of  the  country  visit  to  Czechia  by  the  Union  of  Judges,  Supreme 

Administrative Court. 

29   This is without prejudice to the upcoming assessment of the fulfillment of the relevant milestone under the 
RRP. Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, para 69; 
Venice Commission, Report on the Independence of the Judicial System Part II: The Prosecution Service 
(CDLAD(2010)040), para 43; Venice Commission, Rule of Law Checklist (CDL-AD(2016)007). 

30   Figure 43, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
31   Figure 47, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
32   Figures 45 and 46, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
33   2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 6. 
34   Information Policy of the Ministry of Justice 2023-2028.  
35   Information provided in the context of the country visit to Czechia from the Ministry of Justice. 
36   Stakeholders have pointed these issues out also in previous years, as reported in the 2023 and 2022 Rule of 
Law Reports. Contribution from the Czech Bar Association for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 13, from 
NeoN/Glopolis p.15, Reconstruction of the State and the Network for the Protection of Democracy, p. 14, 
and Civil Liberties Union for Europe, p.11. Information provided in the context of the country visit to 
Czechia from the Union of Judges and the Supreme Court. 

37   2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 6, and 2023 Rule of 

Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, pp. 5-6. 

38   Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 6. Information provided in the context of the 

country visit to Czechia from the Ministry of Justice.  
39   Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 7. 
40   Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 6. For a comparative view, see Figure 49, 2024 EU 

Justice Scoreboard. 

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Advocacy  Act  and  Decree  No.  120/201841,  in  force  since  1  January  2024,  establish  that  in 
addition to the free legal aid to applicants whose income and financial circumstances justify it, 
the  Bar  Association  is  also  obliged  to  appoint  an  attorney  for  applicants  who  can  pay  the 
lawyer’s  fee  but  are  unable  to  obtain  legal  services  for  other  reasons 42.  The  amendments 
respond to a decision by the Constitutional Court43, which found it unconstitutional that this 
right previously only pertained to applicants whose income and financial circumstances made 
it impossible to obtain legal services for a fee. A further amendment to the Act on the Legal 
Profession  aimed  at  enhancing  the  protection  of  confidentiality  of  communication  between 
attorney  and  client  and  refining  the  existing  legal  regulation  of  the  attorney’s  mandatory 
confidentiality, is in Parliament44. The Bar Association has been advocating for a raise in fees 
and  compensation  paid  to  lawyers  for  the  provision  of  legal  services,  with  a  compromise 
solution proposed by the Ministry of Justice in an amendment to the Decree on the Lawyer’s 
Tariff,  submitted  for  a  comment  procedure  in  March  2024  and  to  be  discussed  by  the 
Government 45.  According  to  the  Bar  Association,  the  adjustment  in  the  tariff  would  help 
strengthen  the  resources  for  the  provision  of  legal  aid,  including  in  areas  with  higher 
proportions of socially disadvantaged population46. 

An amendment limiting the use of the institute of lay judges with a view of streamlining 
court  proceedings,  is  discussed  in  Parliament.  On  29  November  2023,  the  Government 
approved and transmitted for discussions in Parliament a proposal to amend the legislation on 
courts, judges, lay judges and public administration of courts with the aim of making judicial 
decision-making more efficient47. On 26 June 2024, the Chamber of Deputies approved the 
proposal, which will be discussed in the Senate. Under the proposal, lay judges would no longer 
be  involved  in  labour  disputes  and  in  criminal  proceedings  before  district  courts 48 .  The 
participation of lay judges in criminal proceedings before regional courts would be limited to 
the most serious crimes49. Some stakeholders noted the importance to maintain the association 
of the public to the exercise of the judiciary50, and the statistics provided by the Ministry of 
Justice show that the share of decision-making by lay judges is currently 0.91 and 8.65% in 
civil  and  criminal  cases  respectively 51 .  Moreover,  this  amendment  is  part  of  the  reform 

41   Act 349/2023 amending Act No. 85/1996, on advocacy and Decree 381/2023 of 15 December 2023 amending 
Decree 120/2018 on establishing the forms of the application for the appointment of an advocate and the form 
of the initiative to provide one-off legal advice.  

42   Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 4-5, contribution from the CCBE for the 2024 Rule 
of Law Report, pp. 11-12. The Bar Association has indicated a slight increase in the applications for this kind 
of legal aid in 2023 in relation to the Constitutional Court judgment. Information received in the context of 
the country visit.  

43   Czech Constitutional Court, judgment of 24 January 2023, Pl. ÚS 44/21. 
44   Bill No. 623, amending Act No. 85/1996 Coll on the legal profession, as amended. 
45   Draft  Decree  amending  Decree  No.  177/1996  Coll.,  on  lawyers'  fees  and  lawyers'  remuneration  for  the 

provision of legal services (the Lawyer's Tariff), as amended.  

46   Czech Bar Association (2024) Press statement by the Bar Association of 22 March 2024. 
47   Bill No. 598 amending Act No. 6/2002 Coll., on courts, judges, lay judges and the state administration of 

courts, as amended, and other related acts.  

48   The proposed wording of Section 34 para 2, Section 35 and 64 of the Act on courts, judges, lay judges and 

public administration of courts, as amended, inter alia. 

49   The proposed wording of Section 14 of the Act No 141/1961 Sb., Criminal Procedural Code, as amended. 
50   E.g. regional court in Prague, some public prosecutor’s offices, or the Union of cities of Czechia. For more 
information, see Česká justice (2023) Part of the judiciary does not want to abolish lay judges fearing it might 
isolate judges. Unfounded argument, said the Ministry of Justice (Část justice nechce zrušit přísedící z obavy 
před izolací soudců. Lichý argument, vzkazuje spravedlnost).  

51   The share of decision-making by lay judges is 0.91 and 8.65% in civil and criminal cases respectively.  

7 

 
 
committed to under the RRP, where the aim was to streamline court proceedings in which lay 
judges participate52.  

The  method  for  determining  judges’  salaries  was  modified  to  reduce  salary  increases 
while salaries of court and prosecution assistant staff remain an issue. As part of a general 
effort to consolidate public finances, Parliament has approved the Government’s proposal to 
modify the starting amount for the determination of judges’ salaries, as defined by the Salary 
Act53, taking effect on 1 January 2024. The Ministry of Justice pointed out that the modification 
would not mean a reduction in salaries but rather a smaller increase than under the preceding 
formula54. Stakeholders have criticised this measure as violating the right of judges to material 
security and the Constitutional Court’s case law in matters of salary cuts for judges55. On 28 
May  2024,  the  Constitutional  Court  ruled  that  the  Act  in  question  is  in  breach  of  the 
Constitution by lowering the multiple used to calculate the salary of judges in 2024. The Court 
gave the Government and Parliament until 31 December 2024 to readdress the issue and, if it 
so chooses, to explain better why the multiple was lowered. The Government is required to 
make up the difference retroactively. They also continue drawing attention to the long-standing 
problem of uncompetitive salaries of court and prosecution assistant staff56, reported already 
in  the  2023  Report57,  which  may  undermine  the  recruitment  and  retaining  of  qualified  and 
competent staff. The non-judge court staff went on a one-day long strike on 29 May 2024, as 
called by the Justice Trade Union, should the situation of the salaries not improve58. Employees 
of  public  prosecutors'  offices  are  also  demanding  better  pay  petitioning  the  Ministry  of 
Justice59.Moreover, as another measure of public finances consolidation, courts are obliged to 
cut non-judge court staff as of January 202460. The Minister of Finance has pledged that salaries 
of assistant staff, including staff at the prosecution services, would be increased and reach the 
average salary in the public sector by 202561.  

52   Component 4.3 Anti-Corruption Reforms, Reform 2, of the Annex to the Council Implementing Decision on 

the approval of the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Czechia.  

53   Act  No.  349/2023  Coll.,  amending  several  acts  in  relation  to  the  consolidation  of public  budgets.  Starting 
amount will be equal to the Czech average salary recorded in the calendar year before the last (i.e., in 2022) 
multiplied by a factor of 2.822, rather than by a factor of 3 used before the amendment.  

54   Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law  Report,  p. 4 and information received from the Ministry of 
Justice in the context of the country visit. Česká justice (2023) Válková refuses another freezing of the judges’ 
and public prosecutors’ salary, she tabled an amending proposal (Válková odmítá další zmrazení platů soudců 
a státních zástupců, předložila pozměňovací návrh). 

55   Press statement of the Union of Judges of 21 September 2023. Contribution from the European Association of 
Judges for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 3 and 15, from NeoN/Glopolis, p. 13, from Civil Liberties Union 
for Europe, p. 8. 

56   Contribution from NeoN/Glopolis for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 13, Reconstruction of the State and the 
Network  for  the  Protection  of  Democracy,  p.  12,  and  Civil  Liberties  Union  for  Europe,  p.11.  Information 
provided in the context of the country visit to Czechia from the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Union 
of Judges and Union of Public Prosecutors.  

57   2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 8. 
58   Česká justice (2024 and 2024a). The demands of the court staff are supported also by the Union of Judges as 

stated in a press release of 18 April.  

59   Union  of  Public  Prosecutors  (2024)  Petice  za  důstojné  odměňování  administrativních  pracovníků  podána 

(‘Petition for decent remuneration for administrative staff submitted’).  

60   The number of non-judge court staff is to be reduced by 120 to 9511 posts. Input from Czechia for the 2024 
Rule of Law Report, p. 5 and information received from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country 
visit. 

61   Lidovky.cz (2024), Justiční personal jde na den do stávky.  Kdyby trvala týden, bylo by to vážné, tvrdí šéf 
Soudcovské unie (‘The courts’ personnel is going to strike for a day. Should the strike last a week, it would 
be serious, said the Chair of the Union of Judges’). Contribution from the Civil Liberties Union for Europe 

8 

 
 
 
Efficiency 

The  justice  system  performs  efficiently  with  continuous  improvement  in  the  length  of 
administrative  cases.  According  to  data  in  the  2024  EU  Justice  Scoreboard,  the  main 
efficiency challenge is the length of administrative cases (225 days in first instance courts in 
2022)62. However, there has been a continuous improvement (compared to 265 days in 2021 
and 317 in 2020), with a clearance rate of 126% in 2022 (119% in 2021 and 113% in 2020), 
indicating that the justice system has been reducing the backlog of administrative cases. The 
efficiency  in  resolving  litigious  civil  and  commercial  cases  at  first  instance  courts,  already 
among the lowest in the EU, further improved in 2022 too (134 days in 2022, compared to 141 
in 2021 and 165 in 2020)63.  

II. 

ANTI-CORRUPTION FRAMEWORK  

Czechia has the legislative and institutional framework to prevent and fight corruption largely 
in place. The Conflicts of Interest and Anti-Corruption Department of the Ministry of Justice 
is in charge of the coordination and monitoring of the national Anti-Corruption Strategy 2023-
2026, which is Czechia’s strategic framework for anti-corruption at the governmental level. 
The Anti-Corruption Council acts as an advisory body to the Government. In cooperation with 
the prosecution service, the National Organised Crime Agency is the police unit with country-
wide  competence  to  investigate  high-level  corruption  offences64.  The  Financial  Analytical 
Office acts as Czechia’s Financial Intelligence Unit. The Supreme Audit Office reviews the 
state’s management of public revenue and expenditure and its findings may contribute to the 
identification of corruption risks. 

The perception among experts and business executives is that the level of corruption in 
the  public  sector  remains  relatively  high.  In  the  2023  Corruption  Perceptions  Index  by 
Transparency International, Czechia scores 57/100 and ranks 16th in the European Union and 
41st globally65. This perception has been relatively stable over the past five years66. The 2024 
Special  Eurobarometer  on  Corruption  shows  that  79%  of  respondents  consider  corruption 
widespread in their country (EU average 68%) and 20% of respondents feel personally affected 
by  corruption  in  their  daily  lives  (EU  average  27%) 67 .  As  regards  businesses,  67%  of 
companies consider that corruption is widespread (EU average 65%) and 43% consider that 

for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  8.  Advokátní  deník  (2022),  Court  employees  could  as  of  2025  have 
average salaries compared to the public sector (Od roku 2025 by mohli mít zaměstnanci soudů průměrné platy 
veřejné sféry). Information received from the Office of the Prosecutor General in the context of the country 
visit to Czechia. 

62   Figures 5-15, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
63   Figures 5-15, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
64   Other cases of corruption are dealt with by regional directorates of the police, with the National Organised 
Crime Agency being able to take over the cases at any time. This Agency also serves as a law enforcement 
contact point for OLAF as regards crimes against financial interest of the EU. 

65   Transparency  International  (2022),  Corruption  Perceptions  Index  2022,  pp.  2-3.  The  level  of  perceived 
corruption  is  categorised  as  follows:  low  (the  perception  among  experts  and  business  executives  of  public 
sector corruption scores above 79); relatively low (scores between 79-60), relatively high (scores between 59-
50), high (scores below 50). 

66   In 2019 the score was 56, while, in 2023, the score is 57. The score significantly increases/decreases when it 
changes  more  than  five  points;  improves/deteriorates  (changes  between  4-5  points);  is  relatively  stable 
(changes from 1-3 points) in the last five years. 

67   Special Eurobarometer 584 on Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024). The Eurobarometer 
data  on  citizens’  corruption  perception  and  experience  is  updated  every  year.  The  previous  data  set  is  the 
Special Eurobarometer 534 (2023). 

9 

 
 
corruption  is  a  problem  when  doing  business  (EU  average  36%) 68.  Furthermore,  22%  of 
respondents find that there are enough successful prosecutions to deter people from  corrupt 
practices  (EU  average  32%)69,  while  26%  of  companies  believe  that  people  and  businesses 
caught for bribing a senior official are appropriately punished (EU average 31%)70.  

The  Anti-Corruption  Strategy  2023-2026  is  being  implemented  while  civil  society 
continues to call for structural improvements. The 2023-2026 Anti-Corruption Strategy is 
being  implemented  following  its  adoption  in  April  2023.  An  accompanying  action  plan  for 
2023-2024 was adopted in July 202371 and a first implementation report for the year 2023 was 
adopted in April 202472. Said report shows that most tasks in the action plan 2023-2024 have 
at minimum started implementation73. The Anti-Corruption Council, an advisory body to the 
government  which  includes  civil  society,  met  twice,  in  April  and  November  2023,  and  its 
recommendations  focused  on  draft  legislation  related  to  the  public  prosecution  and  on 
lobbying 74 .  Several  civil  society  organisations  welcomed  the  activity  of  the  Council  but 
expressed  regrets 
its  specific 
the  Government  does  not  generally 
recommendations75. Civil society organisations have argued that anti-corruption policy focuses 
largely  on  adopting  new  legislation  without  allocating  sufficient  resources  to  effectively 
implement both existing and new legislation76, and that, while the Anti-Corruption Strategy 
provides practical steps forward in some areas, it lacks a clear and ambitious long-term vision 
which prioritises anti-corruption action77. 

take  up 

that 

Cooperation  between  institutions  continues  to  lead  to  a  steady  flow  of  corruption 
investigations, prosecutions and convictions. As reported in past years, cooperation between 
the  relevant  law  enforcement  insitutions  remains  at  a  good  level78.  A  possible  decrease  in 
resources  has  been  signalled  by  investigators,  although  the  impact  remains  limited  at  this 
point79. The Ministery of Interior and the National Agency against Organised Crime (NCOZ) 

68   Flash Eurobarometer 543 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024). The Eurobarometer 
data on businesses’ attitudes towards corruption as is updated every year. The previous data set is the Flash 
Eurobarometer 524 (2023). 

69  Special Eurobarometer 584 on Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024).  
70   Flash Eurobarometer 543 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024).  
71   Written contribution from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 
72   Ministry of Justice (2024), Evaluation of the implementation of the measures referred to in the 2023 and 2024 

anti-corruption action plan. 

73   Ministry of Justice (2024), Evaluation of the implementation of the measures referred to in the 2023 and 2024 

anti-corruption action plan. 

74  The  legislation  on  the  prosecution  is  discussed  above  in  this  Report,  while  the  legislation  on  lobbying  is 

discussed below in this Report. Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 26. 

75   For  example,  this  includes  civil  society  recommendations  on  the  whistleblowing  and  lobbying  legislation, 
where  few  of  the  points  of  the  Council  were  taken  on  board  in  the  final  legislation  of  the  government. 
Information received from Transparency International, Reconstruction of the State in the context of the country 
visit to Czechia. 

76   Transparency International Czechia (2023), Petr Fiala’s government at half-time. The Czech Republic still 
fails to effectively limit corruption, Reconstruction of the State (2023), Loser or winner? The government of 
Petr Fiala is performing unevenly in the subject "Modernization of the state and the fight against corruption", 
Kraus, L. (2024), Warning from Slovakia: You can't save money on insuring the rule of law and information 
received from Transparency International and Reconstruction of the State in the context of the country visit to 
Czechia and Contribution from GLOPOLIS for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 18-19.  

77   Information received from  Transparency International and Rekonstruce Statu in the context of the country 

visit to Czechia and Contribution from GLOPOLIS for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 19. 
78   2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, pp. 9-10.  
79   Written contribution received from the National Organised Crime Agency in the context of the country visit 

to Czechia. 

10 

 
 
remain committed to improving the investigative capacities of the NCOZ80. Work on the new 
uniform  analytical  tool  –  a  digital  solution  to  input  data  and  analysis  uncovered  during 
investigations in a uniform and standardised manner – continues and should further strengthen 
analytical  capacity  also  in  corruption-related  investigations81.  In  2023,  the  law  enforcement 
authorities  opened  168  corruption-related  investigations  (compared  to  231  in  2022)  and 
prosecuted  162  individuals  for  corruption  offences  or  suspicions  thereof  (compared  to  187 
individuals in 2022)82. In total, 158 persons were brought before a court (compared to 145 in 
2022)83,  while  123  were  convicted  for  corruption  in  the  course  of  2023  (compared  to  100 
individuals in 2022). Last year saw 26 acquittals for corruption (compared to 32 in the previous 
year).  The  majority  of  cases  brought  forward  related  to  either  the  offence  of  bribery,  or  of 
arranging an advantage in the context of public procurement84. Cooperation with the EPPO is 
generally  going  well,  with  results  being  praised  by  stakeholders85.  Out  of  its  open  cases  in 
2023, EPPO reports that four were related to corruption (3.6 % of its total open cases)86.  

High-level corruption cases remain a point of attention due to delays in some proceedings, 
while no additional instances affecting the independence of investigations and prosecution 
during  the  reporting  period  were  noted.  The  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report  recommended 
Czechia  to  ‘take  measures  to  reduce  the  length  of  proceedings  and  ensure  independence  of 
investigation  and  prosecution  in  high-level  corruption  cases’ 87 .  A  number  of  high-level 
corruption and corruption-related investigations and cases involving both former and current 
high-level officials continue, and additional cases were detected88. While overall investigations 
and prosecutions of corruption cases remain stable, there is no disaggregated data on specific 
high-level corruption cases. The government acknowledged that such cases take more time due 
to  their  highly  complex  nature  and  highlights  that  the  capacities  of  investigators  are  being 
increased  to  help  with  the  efficiency  of  investigations,  while  court  proceedings  generally 
proceed relatively quickly89. The prosecution maintains that there is no major issue with high-

80   Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 10, and information received from the Ministry of 

Interior and National Organised Crime Agency in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 

81  Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 10. 
82   Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, statistical annex. Written contribution received from the 

Prosecution Service in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 

83  This includes: indictments, motions for punishments, and agreements on guilt and punishment. 
84  Written contribution received from the Prosecution Service in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 
85   Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 9-10, contribution from the EPPO for the 2024 Rule 
of Law Report, p. 6 and information received from the National Organised Crime Agency, the Prosecution 
Service and the Union of Public Prosecutors in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 

86   EPPO (2024), Annual Report 2023, p. 25. 
87   2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 2. 
88   The case of former Prime Minister Babis, who was indicted in a case linked to subsidy fraud led to a re-trial 
ordered by the Court of Appeal and subsequent acquittal of all defendants at first instance for the second time. 
The fraud allegedly took place in 2008 and charges were brought forward for the first time in 2016. Examples 
of high-level corruption cases include a procurement scandal linked to municipal transport and the Prague city 
Council (Dozimetr) and a case in Brno in relation to corruption and fraud linked to municipal apartments sales, 
as well as other cases such as the IKEM hospital and procurement manipulations in the cities of Olomouc and 
Pardubice. See 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, pp. 10-12, 
information received from the National Organised Crime Agency and the prosecution service in the context 
of the country visit to Czechia; Contribution from GLOPOLIS for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 26; CT24 
(2024), Court once again acquitted Babis and Nagyova of the charges in Capi Hnzido case and EPPO (2024), 
Czechia: 10 arrested in probe into corruption ring involving medical supplies to hospitals. 

89  This concerns both the NCOZ (investigators at central level) and investigators at regional level. Input from 
Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 9-10; Information received from Ministry of Justice, Ministry 
of  Interior  and  National  Organised  Crime  Agency  in  the  context  of  the  country  visit  to  Czechia;  Czech 
Government, Opinion on the Recommendations of the Rule of Law Report 2023.  

11 

 
 
level  cases  and  that  they  are  generally  handled  efficiently,  despite  their  complexity 90.  As 
reported in  the past,  concerns persist, however, over the performance of the entire  chain  of 
judiciary  in  a  number  of  high-level  corruption  cases,  in  particular  due  to  indications  of  the 
continued  length  of  judicial  proceedings  in  high-level  corruption  cases  at  all  stages  of  the 
process including the investigation, prosecution and adjudication when high-level officials are 
involved 91 .  This  has  also  been  indicated  by  civil  society  organisations 92 .  Allegations  of 
interference  (political  or  otherwise)  were  previously  reported  as  influencing  high-level 
corruption  cases93,  but  no  further  concerns  were  raised  in  this  regard  during  the  reporting 
period94. In particular, in the high-profile case of alleged interference of the sitting Minister of 
Justice in a corruption case involving some of his former associates, as reported in 2023, there 
were no developments related to this alleged interference, while the corruption case remains 
ongoing95. On this basis, there has been some progress on the recommendation made in the 
2023 Rule of Law Report.  

Enforcement in foreign bribery cases remains limited despite the legal framework being 
in place. The situation as regards foreign bribery cases remains stable over the past years, with 
the  country  on  its  way  to  fulfill  the  remaining  recommendations  from  the  OECD  Working 
Group on Bribery96. While the necessary structures are in place, only a limited number of cases 
are detected and prosecuted97.  

Significant progress was made on the revision of conflict of interests legislation, as the 
legislation entered into force and clarified the definition of beneficial ownership and rules 
on media ownership. The 2023 Rule of Law Report recommended Czechia to ‘complete the 

90   Information received from the Public Prosecutor’s Office in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 
91   To note that, in all corruption cases, the average length of proceedings from the start of investigation to the 
final verdict ranged between 64 and 1222 days in 2023, depending on the offence, although this data does not 
differentiate between high-level and “regular” defendants (compared to 449 to 1361 days in 2022). (Data from 
Written contribution received from the Prosecution Service in the context of the country visit to Czechia). In 
the 2024 Justice Scoreboard, Czechia has the 4th highest average length of proceedings (out of 16 Member 
States that shared this data) in bribery-related cases up until 1st instance decision. See also 2023 Rule of Law 
Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, pp. 10-12. 

92   Contribution  from  GLOPOLIS  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  25  and  information  received  from 
Transparency International and Reconstruction of the State in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 
93   This  includes  for  example  issues  in  concrete  cases  such  as  a  presidential  pardon  following  a  corruption 
conviction (2022 Rule of Law Report p. 9); the lengthy investigation and prosecution period in the Capi Hnizdo 
case and other cases (see above and 2022 Rule of Law Report p. 9); the allegations of interference in the Brno 
apartments case (see 2023 Rule of Law Report pp. 10-12), etc. Civil society organisations also highlighted 
extensive use of delaying tactics by defendants. Information received from Transparency International and 
Reconstruction of the State in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 

94   Information  received  from  the  Union  of  Judges,  Union  of  Prosecutors,  Transparency  International  and 

Reconstruction of State in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 

95  The alleged interference included targeted information requests, as Minister of Justice Pavel Blažek used a 
procedure under section 13 of the Public Prosecutor’s Act to request information about the case involving 
municipal apartments in Brno linked to local politicians. The prosecution replied to the requests in line with 
section 13 of the legislation and refused to give information going beyond this scope. Although the law only 
allows for the status of the case to be shared (and no other details on the investigation or evidence), the request 
is seen as highly unusual and a source of possible political interference. Following this request in 2023, no 
further actions, either by the Minister or other authorities has been reported. See 2023 Rule of Law Report, 
Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, pp. 10-12. 

96  The outstanding recommendations focus on legislative reforms, such as the Public Prosecutor’s Act and the 
Protection  of  Whistleblowers  Act,  meaning  they  are  nearly  fulfilled.  See  also  2022  Rule  of  Law  Report, 
Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, pp. 10-11 and 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country 
Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 12. 

97   See also 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, pp. 10-11 and 

2023. Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 12. 

12 

 
 
revision  of  legislation  on  conflicts  of  interest,  including  by  clarifying  the  definition  of 
beneficial ownership […]’98. Revised legislation on conflicts of interest was adopted in August 
2023 99 .  In  particular,  the  definition  of  company  ownership  was  clarified  to  include  also 
beneficial ownership, so that existing prohibitions related to ownership of media and the receipt 
of grants and subsidies or investment incentives for senior political officials100 now also extend 
to those companies of which the official is the beneficial owner101. Additionally, the President 
is now also included within the scope of the act as a senior public official102. The Office for the 
Supervision of the Finances of Political Parties and Movements has been made responsible for 
enforcing these newly amended provisions, including through sanctions, although the original 
conflict of interest legislation remains enforceable by the Ministry of Justice103. The Office has 
expressed concerns over the human resources required to enforce the law104. These provisions 
entered into force as of 1 January 2024, although a challenge to the law remains pending in 
front  of  the  Constitutional  Court 105.  The  reform  was  positively  received  by  civil  society 
organisations106. As described in the 2023 Rule of Law Report, the reform is less ambitious 
than initially foreseen, as it only makes targeted additions to the existing legislation, without 
for example reforming the sanctioning system as initially foreseen107. As an important, albeit 
targeted,  reform  was  adopted,  significant  progress  was  made  on  this  part  of  the 
recommendation from the 2023 Rule of Law Report.  

Preliminary steps were taken to consider the revision of rules on asset declarations and 
revolving  doors.  Since  2022,  these  declarations  are  accessible  by  citizens,  although  upon 
request108.  Possible  changes  in  relation  to  the  asset  declaration  system  are  expected  to  be 
considered on the basis of the Analysis of the functioning of the Act on Conflicts of Interest 
that was prepared by the Ministry of Justice throughout 2023 and presented in June 2024 upon 
request of the chairman of the Government Anti-Corruption Council109. An extension of the 
reporting obligations (such as declarations of spouses and dependents), which is the subject of 
a  GRECO  recommendation,  has  not  taken  place  but  is  being  considered  through  the 

98   2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 2. 
99   Act No. 253/2023 Coll. Act amending Act No. 424/1991 Coll., on association in political parties and political 
movements, as amended, and other related laws. See also Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, 
pp. 13-14. 

100  According  to  Article  2  of  the  Conflict  of  Interest  legislation,  such  officials  include  government  members, 

Senators, Deputies, mayors, local councillors and members of certain regulatory agencies and bodies. 

101  Previously, this was not clearly stated in the law, leading to controversy when former Prime Minister Babis 
remained  beneficial  owner  of  certain  media  companies  during  his  tenure  as  prime  minister  and  (later  on) 
member of parliament.  

102  Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 13-14. 
103  Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 13-14. 
104  Information received from the Office for the Supervision of Political Movements and Parties in the context of 

the country visit to Czechia. 

105  70  members  of  Parliament  filed  a  petition  before  the  Constitutional  Court  in  February  2024.  Written 
contribution by the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Czechia. See also CT24 (2023), 
ANO group submit challenge to Constitutional Court to repeal part of the Act on Conflict of Interest. 

106  Reconstruction of the State (2023), Loser or winner? The government of Petr Fiala is performing unevenly in 
the  subject  "Modernization  of  the  state  and  the  fight  against  corruption"  and  information  received  from 
Transparency International and Reconstruction of the State in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 
107  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 11 and 2023 Rule of 

Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, pp. 12-13. 

108  2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 13. 
109 The analysis proposes a number of targeted solutions to various issues detected or perceived with the current 
legislation, such as the sanctioning powers, exchanges with the tax service to verify assets, the benefits of an 
independent conflict of interest  authority, scope of covered public officials  etc. Ministry of Justice (2024), 
Analysis of the functioning of the Act on Conflicts of Interest. 

13 

 
 
aforementioned analysis110. The Ministry of Justice established 2 012 failures to declare assets 
in  2023111.  It  conducted  40  in  depth  verifications  of  declarations  filled  by  public  officials 
leading  to  13  cases  of  administrative  proceedings  against  public  officials 112 .  Rules  on 
‘revolving doors’ also remain unchanged. As reported in past years, only limited rules on post-
employment  exist  in  the  civil  service,  and  for  government  functions  in  certain  limited 
circumstances113. There are no plans to amend this framework114. The lack of broader rules on 
revolving  doors  for  all  categories  of  high-level  officials  represents  a  gap  in  the  legal 
framework115.  

Revised ethics rules for civil servants were adopted and some progress has been made on 
the  ethics  framework  for  both  chambers  of  Parliament.  The  2023  Rule  of  Law  report 
recommended Czechia to ‘strengthen the integrity framework for members of Parliament, in 
particular by complementing the existing rules as regards revolving doors and lobbying’116. 
Revised legislation on conflict of interest also applies to Members of Parliament. The draft law 
on  lobbying  would  also  apply  to  members  of  Parliament,  contributing  in  strengthening  the 
ethics framework for Members of Parliament. As mentioned in past reports, there are no codes 
of ethics in place for either chamber of Parliament, and a comprehensive framework is lacking 
in relation to gifts and benefits for members of Parliament117. Nonetheless, a Committee of the 
Chamber  of  Deputies  approved  a  resolution  in  February  2024  that  sets  out  recommended 
ethical behaviour for its Members, aiming to address these previously identified gaps118. The 
position  of  the  Senate  however,  remains  unchanged119 and  therefore  a  numberof  issues  that 

110  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, pp. 11-12 and Ministry of 
Justice (2024), Analysis of the functioning of the Act on Conflicts of Interest. This issue was the subject of a 
recommendation from GRECO Fourth Evaluation Round - Interim Compliance Report, recommendation iii, 
paras. 18-22 and contribution from GRECO for the 2022 Rule of Law report.  

111  108 cases concerned failure to declare at the beginning of term, 1 762 involved annual declarations and 142 

cases concerned the end of term declarations 

112  This compares to 2614 failures to declare in 2022 (485 cases concerned failure to declare at the beginning of 
term, 1615 involved annual declarations and 514 cases concerned the end of term declarations) and 43 in-
depth  verifications  in  2022.  Input  from  Czechia  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  pp.  14-15  and  written 
contribution from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 
113  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 12. 
114  Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 11. 
115  Including for Members of Parliament – see below. 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of 

law situation in Czechia, p. 14. 

116  2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 2. 
117  The Government maintains a dialogue with both chambers of Parliament on this issue 2021  Rule  of  Law 
Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 9 and 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country 
Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 12 and 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the 
rule of law situation in Czechia, pp. 13-14. The recommendations from GRECO to adopt a Code of Ethics in 
both  chambers  of  Parliament  likewise  remain  unfulfilled.  GRECO  Fourth  Evaluation  Round  –  Interim 
Compliance report,  Czechia, recommendation ii, paras. 13-17 and contribution from GRECO for the 2022 
Rule of Law report. 

118  The  Committee on Mandate and Immunity of the  Chamber of Deputies approved a resolution in February 
2024 concerning ’rules recommended by the Mandate and Immunity Committee for the ethical conduct of 
members’.  While  the  resolution  is  not  binding  and  concerns  only  suggested  ethical  behaviour,  it  sets  out 
recommended behaviour of members of the Chamber of Deputies, for example concerning the acceptance of 
gifts or the use of public funds, aiming to address these previously identified gaps. The Committee on Mandate 
and  Immunity  would  take  into  account  this  resolution  as  interpretative  material  in  its  decision-making  on 
possible cases. As such, it cannot be considered a fully-fledge code of ethics. Chamber of Deputies (2024), 
Rules recommended by the Mandate and Immunity Committee for the ethical conduct of Members and Written 
contribution received from the Parliamentary Institute in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 

119  The Senate adopted a resolution on the 2022 Rule of Law report stating that the Code of Ethics is unnecessary, 
preferring to rely on the Constitution and existing rules of procedure. See 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country 

14 

 
 
 
may raise ethical concerns are not adequately covered120. As regards the civil service, a new 
code of ethics was adopted in October 2023 and entered into force from January 2024. This 
code does not introduce any new rules, but rather aims at presenting existing rules in a more 
comprehensive and understandable format121. A revised recommendation for civil servants on 
how  to  deal  with  gifts  was  also  issued.  Various  training  activities  on  this  new  Code  are 
envisaged in the  second  half of 2024122.  In  light of  the measures  taken, some progress  was 
made on the recommendation made in the 2023 Rule of Law Report.  

Legislation  on  lobbying  was  adopted  by  the  Government  and  awaits  adoption  by 
Parliament.  A  draft  law  on  lobbying  was  approved  by  the  Government  in  March  2024, 
following extensive consultations. The law is now in  the legislative procedure123. Lobbying 
legislation is included in Czechia’s Recovery and Resilience Plan and was recommended by 
GRECO124. The law, intended to enter into force by mid-2025, would introduce lobbying rules 
including a transparency register with obligations for both lobbyists and lobbied parties. The 
lobbied parties would be obliged to maintain a legislative footprint125. Compared to previous 
draft versions of the law126, the personal scope has now been widened to also include assistants 
of  members  of  Parliament  as  well  as  the  President 127 .  However,  an  exception  has  been 
introduced for state-owned enterprises, with whom contacts would not need to be registered128, 
which  was  criticised  by  civil  society  organisations 129 .  The  Ministry  of  Justice  will  be 
responsible for enforcement of the legislation and the managing of the transparency register130.  

The  decision-making  process  within  the  Office  for  the  Supervision  of  the  Finances  of 
Political  Parties  and  Movements  was  reformed.  The  Office  for  the  Supervision  of  the 
Finances of Political Parties and Political Movements was reformed to make it more inclusive 

Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, pp. 13-14 and Written contribution received from the Senate 
administration in the context of the country visit to Czechia.  

120  This includes for example ethical and integrity issues related to parliamentary conduct, training, possibility of 
confidential advice on integrity issues, establishment of a culture on prevention and avoidance of conflicts of 
interest, etc. See also GRECO, Fourth Evaluation Round – Evaluation Report, Czechia, recommendation ii, 
para 42 and 2021 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 9 and 2022 
Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 12. 

121  Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 11. 
122  Ibid. 
123  Draft 

regulation 

lobbying 

on 

the 

649): 
https://www.psp.cz/sqw/historie.sqw?o=9&T=649, Act amending other laws in connection with the adoption 
of  Act 
650): 
lobbying 
https://www.psp.cz/sqw/historie.sqw?o=9&T=650. 

of  Deputies 

of  Deputies 

regulation 

(Chamber 

(Chamber 

document 

document 

no. 

no. 

the 

on 

of 

of 

124  Czechia has committed to adopt legislation on lobbying by mid-2025 under its Recovery and Resilience Plan 
(milestone 206). See Annex to the Council Implementing Decision on the approval of the assessment of the 
recovery and resilience plan for Czechia, pp. 131. Concerns have been raised by GRECO that in the absence 
of such legislation, the transparency of contacts with lobbyists remains low. GRECO Fourth Evaluation Round 
– Interim Compliance Report, recommendation i, paras. 7-12 and contribution from GRECO for the 2022 Rule 
of Law Report. 

125 Called a “Lobbying/lobbyist footprint” in the original legislation. 
126  2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 15. 
127  Information received from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 
128  Information received from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 
129  Information received from Transparency International and Reconstruction of the State in the context of the 

country visit to Czechia. 

130  Bill on Lobbying, https://odok.cz/portal/veklep/material/ALBSCLNJNW48/ and Bill accompanying the Act 

on Lobbying, https://odok.cz/portal/veklep/material/ALBSCLNK8YRH/. 

15 

 
 
and, especially, to include more elements of collective and majority-based decision-making131. 
However, no further information was available on the more ambitious reform plans that were 
reported  on  in  last  year’s  Rule  of  Law  report 132 .  Additionally,  legislation  on  electoral 
campaigns is being amended in order to consolidate the current framework and correct drafting 
errors and loopholes. Initial drafts of this legislation foresee a new criterion of “fairness”  of 
electoral campaigns that the Office would need to implement and supervise, although no major 
changes in relation to the financing framework are foreseen133. The Office has also been made 
responsible for enforcing the newly amended provisions on conflict of interest. 

Initial  discussions  are  taking  place  on  proposed  amendments  to  the  Constitution  to 
strengthen the Supreme Audit Office (SAO). Despite the Government’s commitment in that 
regard134, constitutional amendments to extend the competence of the Supreme Audit Office to 
local  governments  and  state-owned  companies,  have  not  been  reintroduced  following  their 
rejection by the Senate in 2022. However, initial negotiations between the Government and the 
Senate on a broader package of constitutional reforms that would include an extension of the 
mandate  of  the  Supreme  Audit  Office  –  to  at  least  include  auditing  powers  over  the  public 
service media – have started135. The SAO considers that its mandate is effective overall, but 
indicates that the audit  competences  under discussion,  as well as additional ones  over local 
government would help in the detection of anomalies136.  

Legislation  on  whistleblower  protection  continues  to  be  implemented,  while  there  are 
some  concerns  over  the  effective  application  of  the  protection  regime.  Legislation  on 
whistleblower protection, adopted in June 2023, continues to be implemented137. A civil society 
organisation  has  signalled  concerns  over  insufficient  staffing  at  the  Ministry  to  effectively 
implement this whistleblowing agenda138. In addition, two specific cases of alleged retaliation 
against  whisteblowers  within  Government  departments  raise  concerns  over  the  effective 
application of the protection system139.  

131  Bill  amending  Act  No.  424/1991  Coll.,  on  association  in  political  parties  and  political  movements, 
https://odok.cz/portal/veklep/material/ALBSCGJCN2AI/. 
312, 
https://www.psp.cz/sqw/historie.sqw?o=9&t=312. The bill was adopted in August 2023 and entered into force 
from January 2024. See also input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 12. 
132  2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 15. 
133  Written contribution from the Ministry of Interior in the context of the country visit to Czechia and information 
received from Office for the Supervision of Political Movements and Parties in the context of the country visit 
to Czechia. 

Parliament 

Bill 

134  The Government committed to this revision in the 2021 coalition agreement, but no progress has been noted 
since then. 2021 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 10 and 2022 
Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 13. 

135  It is unclear whether such a constitutional reform package would be able to be agreed and adopted before the 
election to the Chamber of Deputies in 2025. Information received from office of the Minister of Legislation 
in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 

136  Information received from the Supreme Audit Office in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 
137  Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 9 and 15. 
138  Contribution from Reconstruction of the State for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 20. 
139  In one case, the whistleblower - a Director at the Ministry of Justice - lost his job after signalling concerns 
over a deputy minister. This whistleblower later re-joined the Ministry in a similar position, after he won a 
competition  for  that  post.  In  another  case,  the  Minister  of  Transport  allegedly  prevented  a  former 
whistleblower  to  be  appointed  to  a  new  position  in  a  specific  government  agency.  See  contribution  from 
Reconstruction of the State for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 20, Seznam Zpravy (2023), He drew attention 
to the suspicions surrounding Blažek’s deputy. The government canceled his post; Česká justice (2024), NSS 
rejected  the  complaint  of  suspended  official  Benýšek  due  to  systematization;  Seznam  Zpravy  (2023),  He 
contacted  Brussels,  Kupka  canceled  his  office.  Retribution  to  the  whistleblower,  writes  the  court  and 
Respekt.cz (2024), Whistleblower Benýšek won over Blažek’s deputy.  

16 

 
 
A risk measurement methodology was prepared to inform future anti-corruption action, 
while the area of public procurement is seen as an area at high-risk of corruption. Work 
on a new corruption risk measurement methodology and corruption risk assessment – also a 
part of Czechia’s Recovery and Resilience Plan140 – was completed. The study identifies the 
sectors  more  likely  to  be  affected  by  “grand  corruption”  as  being  foreclosures,  public 
procurement  and,  to  some  extent,  sport,  construction  and  health141.  The  results  of  the  risk 
assement will be used to inform the drafting of the action plans linked to the Anti-Corruption 
Strategy142. As regards public procurement, Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU 
show that 29% of companies in Czechia (EU average 27%) think that corruption has prevented 
them from winning a public tender or a public procurement contract in practice in the last three 
years143. There is scope to improve public procurement practices, considering that in 2023 the 
rate of contracts awareded directly without publication remains high, just as the rate of single 
bid procedures144. Law enforcement continues to see in particular public procurement as a high 
risk area145 and there is a significant increase in prosecuted persons concerning corruption in 
public procurement146. A new public procurement strategy 2024  - 2028 was adopted by the 
government, paying attention to this issue147. Nonetheless, a civil society organisation signaled 
many challenges in the public procurement system, with high risks of collusion and conflicts 
of interest148.  

III.  MEDIA PLURALISM AND MEDIA FREEDOM 

Freedom  of  expression  and  the  right  to  information  are  enshrined  in  the  Czech  Charter  of 
Fundamental  Rights  and  Basic  Freedoms.  The  Act  on  Radio  and  Television  Broadcasting 
regulates the Czech media regulator while the Czech Television Act and the Czech Radio Act 
provide the framework for the supervision and independence of Czech public service media. 
The  Act  on  Free  Access  to  Information  regulates  access  to  information  held  by  public 
authorities149.  

140  As required under the Czech Recovery and Resilience Plan, milestone 205, the methodology was finalised by 
end  of  2023.  See  Annex  to  the  Council  Implementing  Decision  on  the  approval  of  the  assessment  of  the 
recovery and resilience plan for Czechia, p. 131. 

141  The education, sports, health, and construction and planning sectors are identified as having higher levels of 
prevalence and potential for “petty corruption”. The research was carried out by the institute of Sociology of 
the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice. Bašná, K. et. al 
(2023), Corruption in selected sectors in the Czech Republic and possibilities of reducing it. 
142  Information received from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 
143  Flash Eurobarometer 543 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024). This is 2 percentage 

points above the EU average. 

144  2024 European Semester, Country Report Czechia, pp. 52-53. 
145  Information received from  the National Organised Crime Agency and the Public Prosecution Office in the 
context of the country visit to Czechia. See also 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law 
situation in Czechia, p. 16. 

146  Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, statistical annex and written contribution received from 

the Prosecution Service in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 

147  The strategy also focuses on awareness-raising on the topic of conflict of interest in procurement procedures 

Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 16. 

148  “The  existing  system  is  characterized  by  rigidity,  sluggishness,  complexity,  and  excessive  bureaucratic 
burdens,  contributing  to  challenges  such  as  conflicts  of  interest  in  bid  evaluations  and  collusive  bidding.” 
Contribution from GLOPOLIS for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 24. 

149  Czechia ranks 17th in the 2024 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index compared to 14th the 

previous year. 

17 

 
 
Legal guarantees for the independence of the media regulator, the Council for Radio and 
Television  Broadcasting,  are  in  place.  The  Act  on  Radio  and  Television  Broadcasting150 
provides legal guarantees in terms of the nomination, appointment and dismissal of the Council 
members. The 2024 Media Pluralism Monitor (MPM) has, in fact, registered a decrease of risk 
within the low-risk band for this area, in light of the fact that the dismissal mechanism appears 
to be adequate to counter politicisation of the Council151.  

Significant progress has been made to enhance the independence of public service media 
governance. The 2023 and 2022 Rule of Law Reports recommended to Czechia to ‘advance 
with the process aimed at strengthening the rules and mechanisms to enhance the independent 
governance of public service media taking into account European standards on public service 
media’152. A single law amending both  the Czech  Television Act  and the  Czech Radio  Act 
which  entered  into  force  on  1  October  2023  overhauled  the  nomination  and  dismissal 
procedures of the members of the Czech TV and Radio Councils153. Under the amended law, 
the Senate has a say in the nomination and dismissal of one-third of the members of the Czech 
Television Council and the Czech Radio Council154 and only individual Council members may 
be dismissed. Under the previous rules the entire Councils could be dismissed by the Chamber 
of Deputies following the latter’s rejection of two consecutive Council annual reports or if a 
Council failed repeatedly to fulfil its duties. The new legislation expands the members of the 
Television Council from 15 to 18 members and establishes stricter criteria for the civil society 
organisations which may propose candidates for election to the Councils. Several stakeholders 
concur that these amendments strengthen the independence of public service media155. With 
regard to funding, the Minister for Culture has proposed an increase of the licence fee levied 
on households as of January 2025 and extending the categories of users liable to pay the fee to 
owners of devices such as smart phones156. Several stakeholders concur that, if adopted, these 
changes  would  increase  the  sustainability  of  public  service  media157 while  the  Directors  of 
Czech Television and Czech Radio have publicly stated that without the proposed increase, 
services would need to be cut, innovation put on hold and employees laid off158. In the light of 
these  developments,  MPM  2024  has  reduced  the  risk  score  for  this  area  from  high  risk  to 
medium risk, highlighting both the positive legislative changes as well as the pending concerns 
in relation to funding described above159. On this basis, significant progress has been made on 

150  Act No. 231/2001 Coll, as amended most recently by Act 242/2022 Coll. on Video-sharing Platform Services 

and on Amendments to Some Related Acts. 

151  2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, country report for Czechia p. 11 which refers to the dismissal of a Council 

member on the basis of reports that he cultivated links with a presidential candidate. 

152  2022 and 2023 Rule of Law Reports, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 2. The 2023 

Report found that some progress was made with regard to the 2022 recommendation. 
153  Act No.225/2023 Coll. amending the Czech Television Act and the Czech Radio Act.  
154  The  Senate  shall  appoint  six members  and  the  Chamber of  Deputies  twelve  members,  respectively,  of  the 
Czech Television Council while the Senate  shall appoint three members and the Chamber of Deputies six 
members, respectively, of the Czech Radio Council. The first elections of Council members under the new 
legislation by the Senate took place in November 2023.  

155  Contribution of the International Press Institute (IPI) for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 15 and Civil Liberties 

Union for Europe Report on Czech Republic, p. 17.  

156  Contribution of Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report.  
157  Information  received  from  Fund  for  Independent  Journalism  and  contributions  of  the  International  Press 
Institute (IPI), pp.15-16 and Rekonstrukce Statu, p. 23, for the 2024 Rule of Law Report and Civil Liberties 
for Europe Report on Czech Republic, p. 16.  

158  Seminar organised by the Deputy Chair of the Committee on Media Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies of the 
Parliament  of  the  Czech  Republic,  “Why  do  we  need  media  of  public  service?",  11  January  2024, 
https://www.psp.cz/sqw/text/orig2.sqw?idd=232450.  

159  2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, country report for Czechia p. 16. 

18 

 
 
the  2023  recommendation  in  relation  to  enhancing  the  independent  governance  of  public 
service media160.  

Amendments  to  legislation  regulating  conflicts  of  interest 161 have  a  bearing  on  media 
ownership by politicians. The 2023 Rule of Law Report recommended that Czechia “progress 
with  further  reforms  relating  to  transparency  of  information  on  media  ownership 162.”  The 
amendments  to  the  legislation  regulating  conflicts  of  interest  specifically  preclude  elected 
officials, including members of Parliament and Government and the President of the Republic 
from owning media companies by any means, including by means of a trust163. The amendents 
do not, however, introduce any new provisions in relation to ownership transparency. There 
are no specific rules establishing a review of media market plurality, the online media market 
appears to be almost entirely unregulated164 and high concentration continues to characterise 
different media sub-sectors, in particular the regional daily press market165. For these reasons, 
while  MPM  2024  registers  a  significant  decline  in  risk  score  in  terms  of  the  political 
independence indicator which is, for the first time, placed in the low-risk band166, MPM 2024 
maintains its high-risk score for transparency of media ownership167. On this basis, no further 
progress has been made in relation to the recommendation from the 2023 Rule of Law Report.  

Concerns continue to be voiced regarding the economic challenges faced by independent 
media and online harassment of journalists. The economic situation of independent media, 
in particular those not belonging to any of the major publishing or broadcasting groups, remains 
problematic or precarious, particularly in the regional press sector168. In the meantime, the lack 
of  rules  ensuring  transparency  in  the  distribution  of  state  advertising  remains  an  issue  of 
concern169. MPM 2024 maintains an unchanged medium risk score for this area pointing out 
that though online attacks against journalists are an ongoing problem, there has been a gradual 
improvement in the way these incidents are addressed by the police and the courts, indicating 
that  more  effort  is  being  put  into  safeguarding  the  safety  and  dignity  of  journalists170.  The 
Council of Europe Platform to promote the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists 
received  three  new  alerts  since  the  publication  of  the  last  rule  of  law  report,  concerning 

160  According  to  the  European  Parliament’s  Flash  Eurobarometer:  News  &  Media  Survey  2023,  45%  of 
respondents in Czechia stated that they trust public TV and radio stations, below the EU average of 48%.  
161  See above Pillar II in relation to Act No. 253/2023 Coll. Act amending Act No. 424/1991 Coll., on association 

in political parties and political movements, as amended, and other related laws.  

162  In the 2023 Rule of Law Report, the Commission concluded that some progress had been achieved on the 
revision of legislation on conflict of interests, including by clarifying the definition of beneficial ownership 
and progress with further reforms relating to transparency of information on media ownership, recommended 
in the 2022 Rule of Law Report. 

163  Previously, this was not clearly stated in the law, leading to controversy when former Prime Minister Babis 
remained beneficial owner of certain media companies during his tenure as Prime Minister and, subsequently, 
as a member of Parliament. 

164  Information  received  from  Fund  for  Independent  Journalism,  International  Press  Institute  (IPI)  and 

Rekonstrukce Statu in the context of the country visit to Czechia. 
165  2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, country report for Czechia pp. 12-13. 
166  2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, country report for Czechia p. 15. 
167  2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, country report for Czechia p. 12. 
168  2024  Media  Pluralism  Monitor,  country  report  for  Czechia  pp.  12-13  and  information  received  from  the 

International Press Institute (IPI) in the context of the country visit to Czechia.  

169  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 16 and 2024 Media 

Pluralism Monitor, country report for Czechia p. 16 

170  2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, country report for Czechia p. 11. Among the high-profile cases highlighted: a 
court decision ordering former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to publicly apologize to investigative journalist 
Pavla Holcová for smearing her and a suspended sentence handed down to a publisher of a website who was 
threatening several journalists. 

19 

 
 
dismissals at a foreign-run radio station and the revocation of accreditation, harassment, and 
surveillance of separate Russian journalists171.  

IV.  OTHER INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO CHECKS AND BALANCES 

Czechia  has  a  bicameral  parliamentary  system  of  government 172  with  a  directly  elected 
President. Legislative proposals can be submitted by a member of the Chamber of Deputies, a 
group of members of the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate, the Government, or representative 
bodies  of  higher  self-governing  regions173.  The  Constitutional  Court  can  carry  out  ex  post 
constitutional review. In addition to the justice system, the Ombudsperson’s Office and civil 
society play a role in the system of checks and balances. The Public Defender of Rights also 
assumes the role of equality body.  

The use of accelerated legislative procedures decreased and a new public digital platform 
for accessing legislation was launched. The number of legislative acts adopted in accelerated 
procedures  halved  in  2023  compared  to  2022  and  most  legislation  adopted  in  2023  was 
approved following the regular procedure174. As reported in the 2023 Rule of Law Report, the 
use of the legislative emergency procedure was challenged in one case by a group of members 
of Parliament before the Constitutional Court175. The Court found that the use of the procedure 
was  in  conformity  with  the  Constitution 176 .  The  number  of  shortened  or  waived  inter-
ministerial  comment  procedures almost  halved in 2023 compared to  2022177. A new public 
digital platform for accessing legislation free of charge was launched on 1 January 2024, which 
serves as the official Collection of Laws178. A progressive roll-out of a linked online electronic 
system for the creation of legislation, “eLegislation”, will take place between July 2024 and 
January 2026 with the aim to further enhance the transparency of the legislative process179. As 
regards  the  lawmaking  process,  some  stakeholders  have  reported  cases  of  non-transparent 
legislating, especially in relation to important pieces of legislation, as well as the practice of 
initiating the legislative process by members of Parliament, instead of the Government, which 
results in restricted space for public consultations180. 

171  Council of Europe, Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists. The government 

replied to three of these alerts. The government has satisfactorily replied to all three alerts.  

172  Composed of the lower chamber, the Chamber of Deputies (Poslanecká sněmovna) and the higher chamber, 

the Senate (Senát Parlamentu České republiky).  

173  Constitution of Czechia, Art. 41. 
174  Input  from  Czechia  for  the 2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p. 28.  In  Czechia,  27%  of  the  surveyed  companies 
perceive the frequent changes in legislation or concerns about quality of law-making process as a reason for 
the lack of confidence in investment protection. Figure 56, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
175  2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 20. 
176  Decision of the Constitutional Court of 24 January 2024,  Pl. ÚS 30/23. 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country 

Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 20.  

177  200 regular and 90 shortened or waived inter-ministerial comment procedures in 2023 compared to 224 regular 
and 168 shortened or waived inter-ministerial comment procedures in 2022. Input from Czechia for the 2024 
Rule of Law Report, p. 30. 

178  Accessible at https://www.e-sbirka.cz/. Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 27. 
179  Input  from  Czechia  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  27.  More  about  the  project  is  accessible  at 
https://zakony.gov.cz/esel/. Amendment to Act No. 222/2016 Coll., which came into force on 1 July 2024, 
postpones the full launch of the e-Legislation system to January 2026.  

180  Information received in the context of the country visit to Czechia from GLOPOLIS and NeoN. Contribution 
from  GLOPOLIS  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  34.  Síť  k ochraně  demokracie  (2023)  Experti  Sítě 
k ochraně demokracie: Poslanci připravují zásadní změny legislativy netransparentně a v rozporu se zákonem 
(‘Members of Parliament prepare important amendments to legislation in a non-transparent and illegal way‘). 

20 

 
 
 
Work continues to enhance the participation of civil society in policy-making processes 
with a new methodology being piloted. The experience with the testing of the methodology 
for the participation of CSOs in the working and advisory bodies of the central authorities and 
in the creation of policy documents181 (also referred to in the 2023 Rule of Law Report182), has 
confirmed the usefulness and applicability of the methodology. The testing indicated how the 
practical implementation of the methodology can be further supported by ministries and will 
be further continued focusing on implementation by CSOs, with results expected by the end of 
2024183. The Government Office is exploring the use of participatory approaches based on a 
report prepared by OECD184. Stakeholders report positive steps in including CSOs, although 
the inclusion in general is not systematic across public administration. They also note that in 
some  cases  the  laws,  even  if  developed  through  consensus  building  and  a  participatory 
approach, are not implemented in practice by the state authorities, which may undermine their 
effectiveness185.  

Some  further  progress  has  been  achieved  to  establish  a  National  Human  Rights 
Institution,  as  an  amendment  to  entrust  the  Ombudsperson  with  that  function  is 
discussed in Parliament. The 2023 Rule of Law Reports recommended Czechia to ‘continue 
to advance the legislative changes to establish a National Human Rights Institution taking into 
account the UN Paris Principles’186. A draft amendment to the Act on the Public Defender of 
Rights187 was approved by the Government on 10 April 2024 and is currently discussed in the 
Parliament. As reported in the 2022 and 2023 Rule of Law Reports, the aim of the amendment 
is  to  entrust  the  Ombudsperson  with  competences  as  National  Human  Rights  Institution 
(NHRI) and to  create  a  special position of the Children’s Ombudsperson, within the Public 
Defender’s office, to promote and better protect children rights188. The institution of the Public 
Defender  of  Rights  was  preparing  for  its  possible  transition  into  an  NHRI  and  Children’s 
Ombudsman within a four-year project “Strengthening the Public Defender of Rights’ activities 
in human rights protection” funded by EEA Norway Grants, which concluded at the beginning 
of 2024189. Stakeholders raise concerns about the delays in the process of establishing an NHRI 
and the implications of the absence of an independent body on the protection of human rights 
and point out the importance of accompanying the new competences with sufficient additional 

181  The pilot implementation of the methodology is part of the Action Plan of the Czech Republic Open 

Government Partnership for 2023 to 2024, pp. 11-17.  

182  2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 22. 
183  Information received in the context of the country visit to Czechia from the Office of the Government. Input 

from Czechia for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 35.  

184  OECD (2023) Public Governance Reviews: Czech Republic: Towards a More Modern and Effective Public 

Administration.  

185  Information received in the context of the country visit to Czechia from GLOPOLIS and NeoN. Input from 
Czechia for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 35. Contributions from GLOPOLIS for the 2024 Rule of Law 
Report, pp. 44-45, Reconstruction of the State and the Network for the Protection of Democracy, p. 27, and 
Civil Liberties Union for Europe, p. 25. 

186  2023 and 2022 Rule of Law Reports, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 2. 2023 

Report found that some progress was made on the implementation of the 2022 recommendation. 
187  Draft law amending Act No. 349/1999 Coll., on the Public Defender of Rights, as amended, and other 

related laws.  

188  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 19 and 2023 Rule of 

Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Czechia, p. 20. 

189  Contribution from ENNHRI for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 2.  

21 

 
 
resources190. Therefore, some further progress has been achieved on the implementation of the 
recommendation made in the 2023 Rule of Law Report.  

On 1 January 2024, Czechia had five leading judgments of the European Court of Human 
Rights pending implementation, an increase of one compared to the previous year191. At 
that time, Czechia’s rate of leading judgments from the past 10 years that remained pending 
was 24% (compared to 18% in 2023) and the average time that the judgments had been pending 
implementation  was 4 years and 3 months (compared to  4 years 7 months in  2023)192. The 
oldest  leading  judgment,  pending  implementation  for  more  than  16  years,  concerns 
discrimination in the enjoyment of the applicants’ right to education due to their assignment to 
special  schools  on  account  of  their  Roma  origin 193 .  As  regards  the  respect  of  payment 
deadlines, on 31 December 2023 there were 2 cases in total awaiting confirmation of payments 
(compared  to  1  in  2022) 194 .  On  1  July  2024,  the  number  of  leading  judgments  pending 
implementation had remained five195. 

In the light of the increasing financial constraints faced by civil society organisations, an 
ongoing systemic review of the financing framework is expected to conclude by 2024. Civil 
society  space  in  Czechia  continues  to  be  considered  as  ‘open’ 196.  Stakeholders,  however, 
reported about growing divergence in narratives and continuous spreading of disinformation, 
which continue to negatively affect particularly organisations advocating for LGBTIQ rights 
and gender equality197. Labeling of organisations as “political civil society organisations” by 
politicians has also been reported198. The combined effects of high inflation over the past three 
years and the budget consolidation efforts of the Government have further increased financial 
pressure  on  CSOs 199.  While  the  overall  financial  support  to  CSOs  from  the  state  budget 

190  Information received in the context of the country visit to Czechia from the Office of the Public Defender of 
Rights and Czech League of Human Rights. Contributions from ENNHRI for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, 
p. 4, and from Civil Liberties Union for Europe, p. 20. 

191  The adoption of necessary execution measures for a judgment by the European Court of Human Rights is 
supervised by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. It is the Committee’s practice to group 
cases against a State requiring similar execution measures, particularly general measures, and examine them 
jointly. The first case in the group is designated as the leading case as regards the supervision of the general 
measures and repetitive cases within the group can be closed when it is assessed that all possible individual 
measures needed to provide redress to the applicant have been taken. 

192  All figures are calculated by the European Implementation Network and are based on the number of cases that 
are considered pending at the annual cut-off date of 1 January 2024. See the Contribution from the European 
Implementation Network for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 2. 

193  Judgment  of  the  European  Court  of  Human  Rights  of  13  November  2007,  D.H.  and  Others  v.  the  Czech 

Republic, 57325/00, pending implementation since 2007. 

194  Council  of  Europe  (2024),  Supervision  of  the  execution  of  judgments  decisions  of  the  European  Court  of 

Human Rights – 17th Annual Report of the Committee of Ministers – 2023, p. 137.  

195  Data according to the online database of the Council of Europe (HUDOC). 
196  Rating given by Civicus, Czech Republic. Ratings are on a five-category scale defined as: open, narrowed, 

obstructed, repressed and closed. 

197  Information  received  from  GLOPOLIS,  Reconstruction  of  the  State  and  the  Network  on  the  Protection  of 
Democracy, and Transparency International in the context of the country visit to Czechia. Contributions from 
GLOPOLIS  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  pp.  41-  42,  and  from  Reconstruction  of  the  State  and  the 
Network for the Protection of Democracy, p. 26. 

198  This  affects  particularly  organisations  working  in  the  areas  of  anti-corruption,  democracy,  environment, 
human  rights,  gender,  minorities,  or  integration  of  migrants.  Information  received  from  GLOPOLIS, 
Reconstruction of the State and the Network on the Protection of Democracy, and Transparency International 
in the context of the country visit to Czechia. Contributions from GLOPOLIS for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, 
pp. 41- 42, and from Reconstruction of the State and the Network for the Protection of Democracy, p. 26.  
199  Information  received  from  GLOPOLIS  in  the  context  of  the  country  visit  to  Czechia.  Contributions  from 
GLOPOLIS for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 43, from Reconstruction of the State and the Network for the 
Protection of Democracy, p. 27 and from Civil Liberties Union for Europe, p. 23. 

22 

 
 
nominally increased, it is mainly due to the increased amount for sports organisations, whereas 
the funding dedicated for women’s equal opportunities and for the fight against corruption were 
slightly  reduced200.  The  work  on  a  systemic  change  of  the  financing  framework  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Government  Council  for  NGOs,  mentioned  also  in  the  2023  Rule  of  Law 
Report, is expected to yield specific recommendations in most of the identified key areas by 
the end of 2024201. Moreover, a thorough, cross-cutting review of public subsidies has been 
launched  by  the  Government  in  November  2023202,  with  first  results  and  recommendations 
expected  in  the  first  half  of  2024  and  aiming  to  enhance  the  impact  and  efficiency  of  the 
subsidies 203 .  An  amendment  to  the  Act  on  Public  Fundraising,  aiming  to  reduce  the 
administrative burden, was approved by the Parliament in third reading on 24 May 2024 and 
will be submitted to the Senate204. 

Public authorities have launched initiatives to foster the rule of law culture. In the course 
of 2023, several events were organised in both chambers of Parliament on topics related to the 
rule of law, such as the justice system, protection of whistleblowers, sustainability of funding 
of public service and other media or freedom of speech205. Relevant high-level events were 
also organised: on human rights and gender equality, by the Government Commissioner for 
Human  Rights 206 ;  on  stakeholders  participation,  by  the  Office  of  the  Government  in 
cooperation  with  the Ministry of  Interior and the OECD; on codes of  ethics for judges  and 
public  prosecutors,  by  the  Ministry  of  Justice207;  on  establishing  a  National  Human  Rights 
Institution, by the Public Defender of Rights208; on the implementation of International Human 
Rights Obligations at the National Level, by the Office of the Government Agent before the 
Council of Europe 209. These events contribute to fostering the rule of law culture in Czechia.  

200  Input  from  Czechia  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  33.  Information  received  from  the  Office  of  the 
Government in the context of the country visit. The planning document “Main areas of state subsidy policy 
towards non-state non-profits organizations to support the public beneficial activities for 2024”, adopted by 
the government on 21 June 2023, pp. 7-9, confirms very low proportions of funding for these areas within the 
overall indicated budget (0,07 % for anti-corruption activities and 0,11 for equal opportunities for women and 
men).  

201  The mandate of the dedicated working group lasts until June 2024. The group has so far identified 13 key areas 

to address. Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 33. 

202  Government Resolution No. 809 of 11/01/2023.  
203  Information  received  from  the  Ministry  of  Finance  in  the  context  of  the  country  visit  to  Czechia.  Also 
Hospodarske noviny (2024), The government is launching a major subsidy review. First up are the billions for 
theaters and festivals.  

204  Bill No. 617, amending Act No. 117/2001 Coll., on Public Collections and on Amendments to Certain Acts 

(Act on Public Collections), as amended. 

205  Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 35. 
206  Office of the Government, Gender Equality Department (2023) Conference on the 75th Anniversary of the 

Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  

207  Justice.cz (2020) Probíhá dvoudenní konference k problematice morálních dilemat soudců a státních zástupců 
podpořená z fondů EHP 2014-2022 (‘A two-day conference on the moral dilemmas of judges and prosecutors 
supported by EEA Grants 2014-2022 is underway’). The conference took place on 19. – 20. June 2023.  
208  Public  Defender  of  Rights  (2023)  V  Kanceláři  ombudsmana  budou  o  možném  vzniku  české  národní 
lidskoprávní instituce (NHRI) v pondělí diskutovat odborníci na ochranu lidských práv ze sedmi evropských 
států (‘On Monday, experts on the protection of human rights from seven European states will debate in the 
Office of the Public Defender of Rights about the possible establishment of the Czech NHRI’).  

209  Office of the Government (2023) Making Human Rights a Reality: Implementation of International Human 

Rights Obligations at the National Level, available at: https://konference.mezisoudy.cz/en/. 

23 

 
 
Annex I: List of sources in alphabetical order* 

* The list of contributions received in the context of the consultation for the 2024 Rule of Law report 
can be found at https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2024-rule-law-report-targeted-stakeholder-
consultation_en. 

Bill No. 598 amending Act No. 6/2002 Coll., on courts, judges, lay judges and the state administration 
of courts, as amended, and other related acts, https://www.psp.cz/sqw/historie.sqw?o=9&t=598. 

2025 

Advokátní deník (2022), From 2025, court employees could have average public sector salaries (Od 
roku 
sféry). 
https://advokatnidenik.cz/2022/11/11/zamestnanci-soudu-by-mohli-mit-prumerne-platy-verejne-sfery-
od-roku-2025/. 

by  mohli  mít 

zaměstnanci 

průměrné 

veřejné 

soudů 

platy 

Civil Liberties Union for Europe (2024), Contribution from Civil Liberties Union for Europe for the 
2024 Rule of Law Report. 

Constitutional 
https://www.usoud.cz/fileadmin/user_upload/Tiskova_mluvci/Publikovane_nalezy/2024/Pl-30-23-
valorizace_duchodu.pdf.  

decision 

January 

Court, 

2024, 

ÚS 

Pl. 

24 

of 

30/23, 

Constitutional  Court  (2024),  Contribution  from  the  Constitutional  Court  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law 
Report. 

Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) (2024), Contribution from the CCBE for the 2024 
Rule of Law Report. 

Council  of  Europe:  Committee  of  Ministers  (2010),  Recommendation  CM/Rec(2010)12  of  the 
Committee of Ministers to member states on judges: independence, efficiency and responsibilities. 

Council of Europe: Venice Commission (2010),  Report on the Independence of the Judicial System 
Part II: The Prosecution Service (CDL-AD(2010)040). 

Council of Europe: Venice Commission (2016), Rule of Law Checklist (CDL-AD(2016)007). 

Council  of  Europe:  Consultative  Council  of  European  Prosecutors  to  the  Committee  of  Ministers 
(2014),  Opinion  No.  9:  European  norms  and  principles  concerning  prosecutors.Council  of  the 
European  Union  (2021),  Council  Implementing  Decision  on  the  approval  of  the  assessment  of  the 
recovery 
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
for 
content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021PC0431.  

resilience 

Czechia, 

plan 

and 

Council of Europe: Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists. Czech 
Government. 

Council of Europe (2024), Supervision of the execution of judgments decisions of the European Court 
of Human Rights – 17th Annual Report of the Committee of Ministers – 2023.  

Czech Bar Association (2024), Contribution from the Czech Bar Association for the 2024 Rule of Law 
Report. 

Czech  Bar  Association  (2024),  Press  statement  by  the  Bar  Association  of  22  March  2024. 
https://advokatnidenik.cz/2024/03/22/navrh-vyhlasky-advokatniho-tarifu-postupuje-do-dalsiho-kola/. 

Czech Constitutional Court, judgment of 24 January 2023, Pl. ÚS 44/21. 

Czech Government (2023), Input from Czechia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report. 

Czech Government (2023), Government Resolution No. 809 of 11/01/2023 (Usnesení vlády č. 809 ze 
dne 01. 11. 2023), https://odok.cz/portal/zvlady/usneseni/2023/809/. 

Czech Government (2024), Draft Decree amending Decree No. 177/1996 Coll., on lawyers' fees and 
lawyers'  remuneration  for  the  provision  of  legal  services  (the  Lawyer's  Tariff),  as  amended. 
https://odok.cz/portal/veklep/material/ALBSD3LEAYXT/. 

24 

 
Česká justice (2023) Part of the judiciary does not want to abolish lay judges fearing it might isolate 
judges. Unfounded argument, said the Ministry of Justice (Část justice nechce zrušit přísedící z obavy 
před 
https://www.ceska-
justice.cz/2023/10/cast-justice-nechce-zrusit-prisedici-z-obavy-pred-izolaci-soudcu-lichy-argument-
vzkazuje-spravedlnost/. 

spravedlnost), 

argument, 

vzkazuje 

soudců. 

izolací 

Lichý 

Česká justice (2023) Válková refuses another freezing of the judges’ and public prosecutors’ salary, she 
tabled  an  amending  proposal  (Válková  odmítá  další  zmrazení  platů  soudců  a  státních  zástupců, 
předložila pozměňovací návrh), https://www.ceska-justice.cz/2023/09/valkova-odmita-dalsi-zmrazeni-
platu-soudcu-a-statnich-zastupcu-predlozila-pozmenovaci-navrh/. 

Česká justice (2024), We want to live and start families, justice officials write to Blažek. The judges' 
union  will  support  the  strike  (Chceme  bydlet  a  zakládat  rodiny,  píší  justiční  úředníci  Blažkovi. 
Soudcovská  unie  podpoří  stávku),  https://www.ceska-justice.cz/2024/04/chceme-bydlet-a-zakladat-
rodiny-pisi-justicni-urednici-blazkovi/, 18 April 2024.  

Česká justice (2024 a), Justice trade unions have declared strike readiness because of salaries (Justiční 
https://www.ceska-
pohotovost 
odbory 
justice.cz/2024/04/odborovy-svaz-justice-vyhlasil-stavkovou-pohotovost-kvuli-nizkym-platum/, 
24 
April 2024.  

stávkovou 

vyhlásily 

platům), 

kvůli 

Česká justice (2024), NSS rejected the complaint of suspended official Benýšek due to systematization, 
https://www.ceska-justice.cz/2024/05/nss-zamitl-stiznost-odstaveneho-urednika-benyska-kvuli-
systemizaci/, 29 May 2024. 

Czech Union of Judges (2024), Press Statement, Judges stand behind their colleagues (Soudci stojí za 
svými  spolupracovníky),  https://www.soudci.cz/zpravy-a-stanoviska/pohledy-a-nazory/4461-soudci-
stoji-za-svymi-spolupracovniky-(tiskova-zprava).html. 

Czech  Union  of  Judges  (2023),  Press  statement  of  the  Union  of  Judges  of  21  September  2023, 
https://www.soudci.cz/zpravy-a-stanoviska/pohledy-a-nazory/4405-ze-zasedani-republikove-rady-su-
cr--(tiskova-zprava).html. 

European Commission (2020), 2020 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Czechia. 

European Commission (2021), 2021 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Czechia. 

European Commission (2022), 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Czechia. 

European Commission (2023), 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Czechia. 

European Commission (2022), 2022 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

European Commission (2024), EU Justice Scoreboard. 

European  Court  of  Human  Rights  (2007),  judgment of  13  November  2007,  D.H.  and  Others  v. the 
Czech Republic, 57325/00.  

European Implementation Network (2024), Contribution from European Implementation Network for 
the 2024 Rule of Law Report. 

European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) (2024),  Contribution from the 
European Network of National Human Rights Institutions for the 2024 Rule of Law Report.  

GRECO (2016), Fourth Evaluation Round – Evaluation Report on Czechia on preventing corruption 
in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors. 

Hospodarske  noviny  (2024),  The  government is  launching  a major  subsidy  review.  First  up  are the 
billions for theaters and festivals (Vláda spouští velkou kontrolu dotací. První jsou na řadě miliardy 
pro divadla a festivaly), https://archiv.hn.cz/c7-67300240-11igcc-0ed1522236ab8d2, 4 March 2024. 

25 

 
International Press Institute  (2024), Contribution from the International Press Institute for the 2024 
Rule of Law Report. 

Justice.cz (2020) Probíhá dvoudenní konference k problematice morálních dilemat soudců a státních 
zástupců podpořená z fondů EHP 2014-2022 (‘A two-day conference on the moral dilemmas of judges 
and  prosecutors  supported  by  EEA  Grants  2014-2022  is  underway’),  https://korupce.cz/probiha-
dvoudenni-konference-k-problematice-moralnich-dilemat-soudcu-a-statnich-zastupcu-podporena-z-
fondu-ehp-2014-2022/. 

Lidovky.cz (2024), Justiční personal jde na den do stávky. Kdyby trvala týden, bylo by to vážné, tvrdí 
šéf Soudcovské unie (‘The courts’ personnel is going to strike for a day. Should the strike last a week, 
it would be serious, said the Chair of the Union of Judges’), https://www.lidovky.cz/domov/justicni-
personal-soudci-zamestnanci-platy-vystrazna-stavka-vavra-sef-soudcovske-
unie.A240528_182639_ln_domov_lvot. 

Ministry  of  Interior  (2023),  Bill  amending  Act  No.  117/2001  Coll.,  on  Public  Collections  and  on 
Amendments 
amended, 
https://www.psp.cz/sqw/historie.sqw?o=9&T=617. 

Collections), 

Certain 

Public 

Acts 

(Act 

on 

as 

to 

Ministry of Interior (2022), Bill amending Act No. 424/1991 Coll., on association in political parties 
and political movements (Novela zákona o sdružování v politických stranách a v politických hnutích), 
https://odok.cz/portal/veklep/material/ALBSCGJCN2AI/. Chamber of Deputies, Parliament Bill 312, 
https://www.psp.cz/sqw/historie.sqw?o=9&t=312. 

Ministry of Justice (2024), Written contribution from the Ministry of Justice for the 2024 Rule of Law 
Report in the context of the country visit. 

Ministry  of  Justice  (2023),  Information  Policy  of  the  Ministry  of  Justice  2023-2028  (Informační 
koncepce 
https://www.databaze-
strategie.cz/cz/ms/strategie/informacni-koncepce-ministerstva-spravedlnosti-pro-obdobi-2023-
2028?typ=o. 

spravedlnosti 

Ministerstva 

2023-2028), 

Ministry of Justice (2023), Action Plan of the Czech Republic Open Government Partnership for 2023 
to  2024,  https://www.opengovpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Czech-Republic_Action-
Plan_2022-2024_December_EN.pdf. 

Ministry  of  Justice (2024),  Analysis  of  the  functioning  of  the  Act  on  Conflicts of  Interest  (Analýza 
Fungování Zákona O Střetu Zájmů). 

NeoN/Glopolis (2024), Contribution from NeoN/Glopolis for the 2024 Rule of Law Report. 

OECD (2023), Public Governance Reviews: Czech Republic: Towards a More Modern and Effective 
Public  Administration,  March  2023,  https://www.oecd.org/governance/oecd-public-governance-
reviews-czech-republic-41fd9e5c-en.htm. 

Office  of  the  Government  (2023),  Main  areas  of  state  subsidy  policy  towards  non-state  non-profits 
organizations to support the public beneficial activities for 2024 (Hlavní oblasti státní dotační politiky 
vůči  nestátním  neziskovým  organizacím  na  podporu  veřejně  prospěšných  činností  pro  rok  2024), 
https://vlada.gov.cz/assets/ppov/rnno/dokumenty/Hlavni_oblasti_2024.pdf.  

Office of the Government (2023), Draft law amending Act No. 349/1999 Coll., on the Public Defender 
of 
laws. 
as 
https://odok.cz/portal/veklep/material/ALBSCSSKUT84/. 

amended, 

related 

Rights, 

other 

and 

Office of the Government (2023) Making Human Rights a Reality: Implementation of International 
Human Rights Obligations at the National Level, https://konference.mezisoudy.cz/en/. 

Office of the Government, Gender Equality Department (2023) Conference on the 75th Anniversary of 
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, https://www.tojerovnost.cz/cs/konference-lidska-prava-a-
cesko/?utm_source=ecomail&utm_campaign=2023_10_24_pozvanka_na_konferenci_Lidska_prava_
a_Cesko&utm_medium=email&utm_term=2959&ecmid=2419. 

26 

 
Parliament of the Czech Republic (2024)  Bill No. 623, amending Act No. 85/1996 Coll on the legal 
profession, as amended. https://www.psp.cz/sqw/historie.sqw?o=9&t=623. 

Public Defender of Rights (2023), Press release of 14 September: V Kanceláři ombudsmana budou o 
možném vzniku české národní lidskoprávní instituce (NHRI) v pondělí diskutovat odborníci na ochranu 
lidských práv ze sedmi evropských států (‘On Monday, experts on the protection of human rights from 
seven European states will debate in the Office of the Public Defender of Rights about the possible 
establishment 
NHRI’). 
the 
https://www.ochrance.cz/aktualne/v_kancelari_ombudsmana_budou_o_moznem_vzniku_ceske_naro
dni_lidskopravni_instituce_nhri_v_pondeli_diskutovat_odbornici_na_ochranu_lidskych_prav_ze_sed
mi_evropskych_statu/. 

Czech 

of 

Reconstruction of the State and the Network for the Protection of Democracy (2024), Contribution from 
the Reconstruction of the State and the Network for the Protection of Democracy for the 2024 Rule of 
Law Report. 

Síť k ochraně demokracie (2023) Experti Sítě k ochraně demokracie: Poslanci připravují zásadní změny 
legislativy  netransparentně  a  v rozporu  se  zákonem  (‘Members  of  Parliament  prepare  important 
amendments 
way‘), 
https://www.ochranademokracie.cz/aktuality/zmeny-legislativy-v-rozporu-se-zakonem. 

non-transparent 

legislation 

illegal 

and 

in 

to 

a 

Union  of  Public  Prosecutors  (2024)  Petice  za  důstojné  odměňování  administrativních  pracovníků 
submitted’), 
remuneration 
podána 
https://www.uniesz.cz/petice-za-dustojne-odmenovani-administrativnich-pracovniku-podana/. 

administrative 

(‘Petition 

decent 

staff 

for 

for 

27 

 
 
 
Annex II: Country visit to Czechia 

The Commission services held virtual meetings in March 2024 with: 

•  Administration of the Parliament (replies received in writing) 
•  Anti-Corruption Council of the Government 
•  Constitutional Court 
•  Czech Bar Association 
•  Czech National Committee of International Press Institute 
•  Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting (replies received in writing) 
•  Endowment for Independent Journalism 
•  European Centre for Press and Media Freedom 
•  Frank Bold/Reconstruction of State 
•  League of Human Rights 
•  Ministry of Culture 
•  Ministry of Interior 
•  Ministry of Justice 
•  National Organized Crime Agency 
•  NeoN/Glopolis 
•  Office for the Supervision of the Finances of Political Parties and Movements 
•  Ombudsman 
•  Prosecutor General's Office 
•  Supreme Administrative Court 
•  Supreme Audit Office 
•  Supreme Court 
•  Transparency International Czech Republic 
•  Union of Judges 
•  Union of Public Prosecutors 

* The Commission also met the following organisations in a number of horizontal meetings:  

•  Amnesty International EU 
•  Centre for Democracy and Technology Europe 
•  Centre for European Volunteering 
•  Civil Liberties Union for Europe 
•  Civil Rights Defenders 
•  Civil Society Europe 
•  Culture Action Europe 
•  Democracy Reporting International 
•  European Centre for Non-Profit Law 
•  European Civic Forum 
•  European Federation of Journalists 
•  European Partnership for Democracy 
•  European Youth Forum 
•  Free Press Unlimited 
• 
• 
• 

International Federation for Human Rights 
International Planned Parenthood Federation 
International Press Institute 

28 

 
 
Irish Council for Civil Liberties 

• 
•  JEF Europe 
•  Open Society Foundations 
•  Philanthropy Europe Association 
•  PICUM 
•  Reporters Without Borders 
•  SOLIDAR 
•  Transparency International EU 

29