By Muhammad Sohail
On the occasion of Human Rights Day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský took part in the second annual Human Rights and the Czech Republic conference, which is organized by the Government Commissioner for Human Rights in cooperation with the Gender Equality Department of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic. The conference ended with a ceremonial approach by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other entities to the Charter against domestic violence.
“By signing the Charter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows zero tolerance for domestic and sexualized violence and at the same time helps to fulfill the commitment from the government’s program statement to improve the protection of victims of these forms of violence,” said Minister Lipavský in his speech.
The Minister further emphasized the very active role of the Czech Republic in the field of human rights also in the international field and also mentioned a number of current social problems at the national level that have human rights significance. In conclusion, he thanked all actors for their efforts and work in the field of human rights protection. “The discussion on the protection of human rights is now more important and relevant than ever before. Together we can ensure that human rights are not just a declaration, but a reality that improves the lives of all of us,” said the head of Czech diplomacy.
The goal of the conference was to create a space for discussion about the state of human rights in the Czech Republic and the steps that still need to be taken in this area. Representatives of civil society, public administration, politics and business were invited.
Already 46 companies, non-profit organizations and state news entities employing over 160,000 people have signed up to the Charter against domestic violence. The charter was created in 2023 on the basis of a joint initiative of ROSA – Center for Women, the Vodafone Foundation and IKEA, under the auspices of the Gender Equality Department of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic and the Government Commissioner for Human Rights Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková, and follows on from the successful Academy against domestic violence.
The signatories commit, among other things, to educating their employees about the issue of domestic violence, to creating an environment in which the subject can be openly discussed, and to implementing measures that help victims in difficult life situations and for which the workplace can often be the only safe place.
By signing the Charter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows zero tolerance for domestic and sexualized violence and at the same time helps to fulfill the commitment from the government’s program statement consisting in improving the protection of victims of these forms of violence.
