Blog about topics and events in Czech Republic by Atropos Skeptics Society
The Czech Republic is currently embroiled in a heated debate over the ratification of a concordat with the Vatican. This agreement, long a source of contention, has sparked significant concern among proponents of secularism, human rights advocates, and those seeking justice for victims of sexual abuse. Signed in October 2024 by Prime Minister Petr Fiala…
The Alliance for Family (Aliance pro rodinu, APR), a Czech ultraconservative interest group, has recently found itself embroiled in multiple controversies. This organization, known for its opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, same-sex marriage, and abortion, has been criticised for its undemocratic practices and potential ties to international ultraconservative movements. Legal Dispute and Russian InfluenceIn a recent…
In recent years, the debate surrounding home births has intensified in the Czech Republic, a country known for its excellent perinatal care outcomes without any religion-driven bias. Debates about home births on social media are often very heated. Women who choose to give birth at home are considered irresponsible and called with disdain eso-mothers (esotericism)…
We wholeheartedly welcome the Constitutional Court’s decision to abolish the legal requirements for surgery and sterilization as a condition for official sex change. This decision is an important victory for personal autonomy and human dignity for transgender and non-binary people in our country. In its ruling, the Constitutional Court today clearly stated that the legal…
Sexualized violence is a dark stain on the face of Czech society, affecting the lives of thousands of women every year. New research presented by proFem and MindBridge Consulting presents alarming data on the economic impact and consequences that ripple through our society.The research found that more than half of women have experienced some form…
The Senate of the Czech Republic voted narrowly not to ratify the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Only 34 of the 71 senators present voted in favour of ratification, which was not enough to achieve the required majority of 36 votes. The failure to ratify the Convention is…
A case of sexual abuse by one of the biggest personas of the Czech psychiatric community is now seeing its day in court. Dr. Jan Cimický, once a prominent psychiatrist who helped establish the field in the country (and also novelist, poet, translator, playwright and screenwriter), is currently on trial facing charges relating to 39…
Three years ago a new organization calling itself the Society for the Defence of Freedom of Expression (Společnost pro obranu svobody projevu) has emerged in the Czech Republic that is claiming to defend free speech, but a closer examination raise red flags about several aspects of this group that it may be more focused on…
The Czech Republic has long taken a prohibitionist approach to drug policy, but one man has been leading the call for change based on science rather than moralistic assumptions. Jindřich Vobořil, the country’s National Drug Coordinator, has argued for a more balanced approach founded on risk reduction rather than zero-tolerance.
The Atropos Skeptics Society is a partner in a newly emerging project called “Under One Roof” (Pod jednou střechou), which aims to offer a safe and open space for dialogue between people of different religious and life attitudes.