Psax's Skeptiffic Globuli

Author: Psax

  • 15. September 2024 – Climax

    A lot of the Czech Republic is dealing with flooding because of continuous rain, and the situation got really serious last night in northern Moravia and Silesia, especially in cities like Ostrava and Bohumín. Thousands of people have already had to evacuate their homes, and many more are getting ready to leave. They even started evacuating Opava last night. The power companies have declared a state of emergency in several areas – as of 7:00 a.m., about 260,000 households across the Czech Republic were without electricity because of this bad weather. The main reason for this outage is fallen trees and branches hitting power lines from strong winds, which even uprooted some power poles.

    There are also issues on the railways, particularly around Karviná. The Jeseníky region is completely cut off right now; roads are submerged, and there are fallen trees blocking them. More rain is expected in the northeast until at least Monday. According to the police, getting into the Jeseníky region is nearly impossible due to impassable roads that have been undermined in many spots.
    Malá Úpa in the eastern Krkonoše Mountains was cut off from the Czech hinterland by landslides.

    In Dobříš, weather-weary and hungry western house martins gathered on one ledge of a house, where they began to fall to the ground from exhaustion. People from the Hrachov Rescue Station together with firefighters carefully brought them down and took them to the station, saying that without help they had minimal chance of survival.

    Sadly, there were also some reckless Darwin’s Award nominees who kept rescuers busy by trying to canoe or paddleboard through the floodwaters!

    There is just cold and rain in my place, lucky to have house on a hill.

    There are no moths and butterflies attracted to light these cold and rainy nights. Oenothera biennis in the yard has its first seeds and last bloom. When the rain stopped for a while, a tapping sound was heard, presumably Dendrocopos major had returned for a while. The sugar water saucer is abandoned, with one dead wasp lying next to it.

    Opava river flooding the city of Opava.
    So it begins.

  • 15. September 2024 – Quick Lepidoptera project summary

    Astronomical autumn doesn’t start for another week, but due to the weather we can take a brief look back at summer now (20. June to 15. September).

    The clear winner is the species Agriphila inquinatella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), which has been flying throughout the whole summer, winning both the persistence award and the most frequent visitors award.

    Number of observations per family, summer 2024

    Most observed families:

    1. Geometridae (67)
    2. Crambidae (32)
    3. Erebidae (24)
    4. Noctuidae (24)
    5. Pyralidae (12)
    6. Nymphalidae (11)

    Observed species:

    • Acontia trabealis
    • Agapeta hamana
    • Aglais io
    • Aglais urticae
    • Agriphila inquinatella
    • Agriphila straminella
    • Agriphila tristella
    • Alcis repandata
    • Apamea unanimis
    • Aphantopus hyperantus
    • Arctia caja
    • Athetis lepigone
    • Biston betularia
    • Bryotropha terrella
    • Calamotropha paludella
    • Camptogramma bilineata
    • Catarhoe cuculata
    • Catarhoe cuculata
    • Catocala elocata
    • Catoptria falsella
    • Catoptria permutatellus
    • Catoptria pinella
    • Celypha striana
    • Cidaria fulvata
    • Cosmia pyralina
    • Cosmorhoe ocellata
    • Cydalima perspectalis
    • Cydia pomonella
    • Deltote pygarga
    • Dendrolimus pini
    • Diachrysia stenochrysis
    • Eilema complana
    • Eilema lurideola
    • Ematurga atomaria
    • Endothenia quadrimaculana
    • Epirrhoe alternata
    • Eucosma conterminana
    • Eudonia lacustrata
    • Eulithis prunata
    • Euphyia unangulata
    • Eupithecia icterata
    • Eupithecia simpliciata
    • Evergestis forficalis
    • Gonepteryx rhamni
    • Gymnoscelis rufifasciata
    • Hadena compta
    • Harpella forficella
    • Hedya ochroleucana
    • Herminia tarsicrinalis
    • Hoplodrina respersa
    • Hyles euphorbiae
    • Hypena proboscidalis
    • Hypena rostralis
    • Hypomecis punctinalis
    • Hypsopygia costalis
    • Chiasmia clathrata
    • Chrysoteuchia culmella
    • Idaea aversata
    • Idaea aversata
    • Idaea deversaria
    • Idaea dimidiata
    • Idaea fuscovenosa
    • Idaea inquinata
    • Idaea ochrata
    • Idaea seriata
    • Idaea straminata
    • Issoria lathonia
    • Isturgia arenacearia
    • Lasiocampa trifolii
    • Laspeyria flexula
    • Lithosia quadra
    • Luperina testacea
    • Macaria alternata
    • Macroglossum stellatarum
    • Maniola jurtina
    • Melanargia galathea
    • Mesoligia furuncula
    • Mythimna albipuncta
    • Mythimna pallens
    • Nudaria mundana
    • Oncocera semirubella
    • Ostrinia nubilalis
    • Paracolax tristalis
    • Parascotia fuliginaria
    • Paratalanta hyalinalis
    • Pasiphila rectangulata
    • Patania ruralis
    • Peribatodes rhomboidaria
    • Pheosia tremula
    • Phragmatobia fuliginosa
    • Pieris rapae
    • Polygonia c-album
    • Polyommatus icarus
    • Polypogon tentacularia
    • Pyralis farinalis
    • Pyrausta despicata
    • Rhodostrophia vibicaria
    • Rivula sericealis
    • Scoliopteryx libatrix
    • Scoparia ambigualis
    • Scopula immorata
    • Scopula marginepunctata
    • Scopula nigropunctata
    • Scopula rubiginata
    • Synaphe punctalis
    • Tholera cespitis
    • Tholera decimalis
    • Timandra comae
    • Triodia sylvina
    • Vanessa atalanta
    • Xanthorhoe ferrugata
    • Xestia c-nigrum
    • Xestia triangulum
    • Xestia xanthographa
    • Yponomeuta
    • Zygaena loti
    Agriphila inquinatella (Crambidae)
    Peribatodes rhomboidaria (Geometridae)
    Synaphe punctalis (Pyralidae)
    Timandra comae (Geometridae)
    Idaea dimidiata (Geometridae)

  • 11. September 2024 – End of drought, flood’s coming

    This summer ranked among the hottest since measurements began in 1775, with an average temperature of 22.6°C, making it the third hottest, just behind 2019 and 2018. The trend is clear, as five of the six hottest summers have occurred in the last decade.

    The drought had a significant impact on vegetation, with trees shedding their leaves prematurely due to stress. Another notable thing is the higher number of sightings of deer and tracks in the nearby wilderness, likely related to changing conditions and the need to seek new water and food sources.

    In contrast, there was a noticeable increase in the number of moths, particularly towards the end of the summer when a large number of butterflies, especially Nymphalinae, appeared. To date, I have recorded 235 moth species in my surroundings.

    Now, after an extremely hot and dry summer, The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has just issued an extreme flood alert. The forecast is alarming – from Thursday to Sunday, 150 to 250 millimetres of rain is expected in some places, and even over 450 millimetres in the east. The situation is so serious that neighbouring Germany is expecting “millennial water”.

    For the last two evenings and nights, when the weather has cooled down by as much as fifteen degrees, no insects have been attracted to the light.

    I’m still feeding the wasps sugar water. They can consume everything by the evening. Yet they’re decreasing in numbers, probably their queen is dead. At least they have a retirement in the sugar kingdom.

  • 3. September 2024 – Plants on clear-cutted land

    It was hot as hell. And still is. I can hear storm nearby but no rain here.

    Clear-cutting of the pines of the boundary between the meadows to restore the old path. Trees were cut down near the ground, so the stumps are very low. Uprooted stump is exposing sand and granite boulders under, the ground is covered with a layer of old pine needles and cones.
    Poor soil, short sunlit slope, rapidly becoming overgrown – Prunus spinosa, Rosa canina, young sprouts of Quercus petraea, Cytisus scoparius, Achillea millefolium, Hypericum perforatum, Chelidonium majus, some Senecio, sprouts of Euphorbia cyparissias.
    Prunus spinosa and Cytisus scoparius are the most successful. 

    Beyond the path, there are Prunus avium and Prunus spinosa trees with lichens on their bark – Xanthoria parietina, and some Parmelia with a small Usnea on it.
    Nearby, on the road, a Fallopia is climbing the branches up.

    A dragonfly flew by (unknown Odonata). In the sand of the path leading from the meadow above the cleared zone are footprints of some smaller deer, probably Capreolus capreolus. 
    Several sprouts of Euphorbia cyparissias were occupied by Hyles euphorbiae caterpillars. They were in their 4. moult – what colourful animals to see! It’s They were in their 4. moult – what colourful animals to see!

    Parmelia and small Usnea
    Hyles euphorbiae

  • 28 August 2024 – Hundreds of butterflies, ponds

    Another day of summer heat, the soil is dry. Yesterday’s night rain was not enough.

    Medicago sativa is blooming in the field behind the garden, it looks like a butterfly farm. Hundreds of specimens fly there. From the edge of the garden, without my glasses, I watched 16 Aglais io at one point. Pieris, Gonepteryx, Plebejus, Issoria lathonia. 

    My son and I went to see one of my areas of interest, two small ponds, man-made on the edge of the field and the forest in places where the field was always waterlogged, for there is a spring spot nearby in the forest. The first pond has water flowing slowly from a nearby spring and is overgrown with Typha and Juncus. The second pond, into which the first one overflows, has a minimum of water, half of it is just mud with tracks of Scus scrofa. Many Odonata and butterflies fly around. Around the ponds, the Colchicum autumnale blooms (right, autumn is coming closer). Its Czech (and EU) conservation status is “Least Concern”, so I will definitely be back there to gather specimens for the herbarium.

    It would be necessary to set aside enough time and try to map this entire small but diverse biotope!

    Aglais io in the field of alfalfa
    Issoria lathonia
    Colchicum autumnale

  • Alliance for Family: Controversial Ultraconservative Group’s Recent Activities Raise Concerns Again

    he 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 Influence
    In a recent development, Olga Richterová, Vice-Chair of the Chamber of Deputies, won a legal dispute against APR. Richterová has drawn parallels between APR’s rhetoric and that of Russian President Vladimir Putin, particularly concerning given Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine and attempts to divide Europeans through hybrid warfare tactics.

    Richterová has also raised questions about APR’s funding sources, citing concerns about the billions of Czech crowns that European ultraconservative organizations have reportedly received from Russia in recent years. While APR claims to rely on “small donors,” it has been confirmed that one of the wealthiest Czechs has repeatedly made significant contributions to the organization, amounting to “higher hundreds of thousands of crowns.”

    Concerns from Religious Communities
    Despite representing a small fraction of Czech citizens (only about 13% of Czechs identify as members of any religious group), APR has managed to secure positions in government advisory bodies. This influence has raised concerns about the erosion of secular principles in the Czech state.
    In June 2023, members of various Czech churches and religious societies called on the government to remove APR from ministerial advisory bodies and other state structures. The petitioners cited APR’s lack of values crucial for both faith and the state, such as understanding, empathy, and solidarity among people.
    The petition calling for APR’s removal from government advisory roles was initiated by pastors from the Evangelical and Hussite churches, theologians, academics, and representatives of the Catholic Church.
    Their petition cites numerous concerns, including APR’s denial of scientific knowledge, spreading of moral panic, and potential harm to the psychological development of children and youth through their stance on homosexuality, downplaying the importance of women’s voting rights or their close cooperation with organizations criticized for threatening individual rights and freedoms in a democratic state.

    APR has recently launched a campaign against the proposed increase in public broadcasting fees for Czech Television. The organization initiated a petition and ran advertisements on Facebook. Interestingly, data revealed that the advertiser behind these paid posts was an employee of the Pilsen diocese, led by Bishop Tomáš Holub. Bishop Holub has since stated that his subordinate’s involvement in APR activities is unacceptable and plans to address the situation.

    MPSV Logo Controversy and Prague Pride Support Withdrawal
    A recent incident involving the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MPSV) logo on the Prague Pride website has sparked further controversy. APR drew attention to this in their newsletter, questioning whether the Christian Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People’s Party (KDU-ČSL) members were aware of their party leader’s ministry supporting Prague Pride. (APR organizes the annual March for the Family as a counterpart to Prague Pride. The patronage of this March was taken over in 2012 by our “favourite” and much criticized Cardinal Duka.)

    Following this, the MPSV logo was promptly removed from the Prague Pride website. The ministry now claims it hasn’t supported the organization for several years, stating that Prague Pride received financial support from MPSV under the previous administration.

    This incident highlights the ongoing tension between conservative groups like APR and LGBTQ+ rights organizations. It also underscores the influence that APR wields, even with political parties that have relatively low voter support. KDU-ČSL, formerly a big political party whose leader Marian Jurečka heads the MPSV, currently fights for votes and polls at around 3% of voter support.

    As APR continues to push its agenda in the public sphere and within government structures, concerns about its influence and methods persist. The organization’s lack of transparency regarding funding sources, controversial stances on social issues, and potential ties to international ultraconservative movements raise questions about its compatibility with democratic values and secular principles in the Czech Republic. The recent MPSV logo controversy further illustrates APR’s ability to influence public discourse and potentially shape government actions. And serve as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making in public policy.

    zdroje:
    https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/rozstrel-jana-jochova-predsedkyne-aliance-pro-rodinu-tradicni-rodina-manzelstvi-homosexualove-lesby.A191125_160906_domaci_pmk
    https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/olga-richterova-pirati-prispevek-aliance-pro-rodinu.A240710_142826_domaci_roku
    https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-domov/poslankyne-se-nemusi-omluvit-alianci-pro-rodinu-oznaceni-za-putinuv-hlas-v_2407101234_vtk
    https://denikn.cz/1472507/miliardar-poslal-alianci-pro-rodinu-stovky-tisic-spolek-pritom-tvrdi-ze-zije-z-drobnych-darcu/
    https://echo24.cz/a/H4rkE/zpravy-domov-po-vytkach-alince-pro-rodinu-se-mpsv-distancovalo-od-prague-pride
    https://denikn.cz/1486582/to-je-jedine-jinak-s-nimi-nemam-nic-spolecneho-alianci-pro-rodinu-pomahal-s-kampani-pracovnik-plzenske-dieceze/
    https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/aliance-pro-rodinu-petice-vyzva-odvolani-pastroral-brothers.A230713_133726_domaci_tty
    photo by Jan Žofák

  • The Controversy of Home Births in the Czech Republic: A Skeptical Perspective

    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) or bio-women, that rely on the dubious practices of alternative medicine and anything “natural”. As skeptics committed to evidence-based approaches, it’s crucial for us to examine this issue critically and unbiased, considering the available data and expert opinions from the medical community.

    The Current Situation

    The Czech Republic has long been recognized for its outstanding perinatal care, with outcomes comparable to those of the most developed countries in the world. However, a small but growing number of women are choosing to give birth at home, challenging the established medical system and raising concerns among healthcare professionals.

    One of the primary challenges in assessing the safety of home births in the Czech Republic is the lack of comprehensive official data. While the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ) and the Institute of Health Information and Statistics (ÚZIS) collect data on births in healthcare facilities, there is no systematic collection of data on planned home births. This crucial gap in information makes it difficult for researchers and policymakers to be able to accurately assess the risks and outcomes associated with home births in the country.

    The Czech medical community has taken a strong stance against home births. In March 2012, the Scientific Council of the Czech Medical Chamber issued a statement warning that an increase in home births could potentially worsen perinatal care outcomes in the Czech Republic, potentially bringing them down to the level of less developed countries. They argue that this could jeopardize the country’s reputation for excellent perinatal care.

    Dr. Vladimír Dvořák, the president of the Czech Gynecological and Obstetrical Society, emphasizes the potential risks: “A birth that starts physiologically can become complicated. These complications are sometimes sudden, acute, and need to be addressed immediately. This treatment is usually not possible in an apartment.”

    Despite the medical community’s concerns, a small but significant number of women in the Czech Republic are choosing home births. Research indicates that these women tend to have higher education levels and are accustomed to seeking out and critically evaluating information.

    Key findings about women choosing home births include:

    1. 83% of women acknowledge the risks associated with planned home births (86% for those with university education).

    2. 92% have a backup hospital selected in case of complications.

    3. Most women participate in some standard medical examinations during pregnancy, such as ultrasounds and blood tests.

    4. 91% of women who had home births reported being very satisfied with their experience.

    The primary reasons women cite for choosing home births are often related to perceived barriers in hospital settings:

    1. 92% object to routine interventions in hospitals.

    2. 85% are concerned about how hospital staff treat women.

    3. 80% oppose the level of medicalization in Czech obstetrics and healthcare in general.

    4. 79% wanted more control over their birth experience and care providers.

    5. 71% felt that home birth was a rational choice after weighing pros and cons.

    It’s important to note that these motivations often stem from negative perceptions or experiences with hospital births, either personal or secondhand.

    Skeptical viewpoint

    While comprehensive data on home birth outcomes in the Czech Republic is lacking, international studies have shown mixed results. Some studies suggest that planned home births for low-risk pregnancies can be as safe as hospital births, while others indicate higher risks, particularly for first-time mothers. The lack of immediate access to emergency medical care in case of complications remains a significant concern for home births – Dr. Michal Zikán, head of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic at Bulovka Faculty Hospital in Prague, points out: “If we could somehow regulate home births, then we can minimize the risk that someone for whom it is clearly dangerous would decide to have a home birth.”

    The motivations cited by women choosing home births point to perceived issues within Czech maternity care. Despite the high quality and expertise of the health sector these include concerns about overuse of routine interventions, perceived lack of respect from medical staff, and limited options for low-intervention births in hospital settings.

    Several key points emerge from the topic:

    Need for data (crucial): We cannot emphasize more the importance of systematic data collection on planned home births to allow for evidence-based policy decisions.

    Addressing concerns: The medical community may need to address the issues that drive some women to choose home births, such as concerns about unnecessary interventions and staff-patient interactions.

    Regulatory considerations: Some medical professionals suggest that if home births continue to occur, clear guidelines and regulations may be necessary to ensure safety standards.

    Informed decision-making: Both medical professionals and women’s advocates stress the importance of providing comprehensive, unbiased information to expectant mothers about different birthing options. Again – Informed decision-making is crucial.

    Ongoing research: Continued scientific study of birth outcomes in various settings is absolutely essential for informing this debate and moving forward to the health and satisfaction of the new moms.

    The home birth debate in the Czech Republic highlights the tension between personal choice and medical best practices. As skeptics, we must continue to advocate for evidence-based policies and practices that prioritize the health and safety of mothers and babies while also considering women’s concerns and experiences.
    Ultimately, this complex issue requires ongoing dialogue between medical professionals, policymakers, and women’s advocates.

    We should encourage continued research and critical examination of current practices to ensure that maternity care in the Czech Republic remains among the best in the world, regardless of where women choose to give birth.

    zdroje:
    Křepelka P, Velebil P, Měchurová A, Straňák Z, Feyereisl J. Complications of planned home births in the Czech Republic between 2016‒2017. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2020;28(3):230-236. doi: 10.21101/cejph.a5641. PubMed PMID: 32997480.
    Domácí porody v Česku: motivace, důvody a názory žen, které rodily plánovaně doma (2015-2020), Fakulta sociálních věd, Univerzita Karlova
    https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/domaci/ustava-je-zarucuje-zakon-na-ne-nemysli-vyhlaska-ztezuje-ceske-pravo-komplikuje-domaci-porody-matkam-1817
    https://www.biostatisticka.cz/sbirana-data-o-porodu-zdravi-a-umrti-novorozencu-v-cr-a-v-eu/
    https://www.zdravotnickydenik.cz/2024/02/tresty-za-smrt-novorozence-pri-domacim-porodu-potvrzeny/
    https://olomouc.rozhlas.cz/pro-domaci-porody-chybi-jasna-pravidla-shoduji-se-lekari-i-zachranari-6374838

  • End of sterilization as a condition for official sex change

    End of sterilization as a condition for official sex change

    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 requirements of genital reassignment surgery and disabling reproductive function are in direct conflict with trans people’s fundamental right to the protection of their bodily integrity and personal autonomy, and thus violate their human dignity. Transgender identity is not a disease and gender reassignment should not be conditional on interference with bodily integrity, which is irreversible and can have serious health consequences.

    In its decision, the Court stressed that while the State may have a legitimate interest in defining the conditions for gender reassignment so that an individual’s status is clear and authentic, this interest must not override the fundamental rights of the persons concerned. To require automatically the performance of an invasive and irreversible surgical procedure merely for the sake of legal certainty is manifestly disproportionate and contrary to human dignity.

    We welcome the fact that the Constitutional Court in this case did not merely reflect earlier case law, but conducted a comprehensive constitutional analysis in which it prioritized the individual rights and needs of trans and non-binary persons over a formalistic interpretation of the law. It is also positive that the Constitutional Court does not directly interfere in legislative drafting on this sensitive issue, but leaves sufficient room for the legislators to adopt new legislation reflecting this decision. At the same time, it temporarily leaves the existing conditions in force in order to avoid legal uncertainty.

    This decision of the Constitutional Court is an important step towards greater inclusiveness and respect for the rights of transgender people in the Czech Republic. As a skeptic and a secular humanist, I welcome the fact that Czech law in this area is abandoning outdated and medically outmoded concepts and is moving closer to the standards of modern democratic countries that prioritize the rights and dignity of the individual over ideological or religious dogmas.

    It is now up to the legislators, in the spirit of this decision, to enact legislation that fully reflects the current understanding of transgender identity and ensures that trans people have the right to self-determination in gender reassignment without being forced to undergo irreversible interference with their bodily integrity.
    We expect the new legislation to be drafted in accordance with the principles of human rights, dignity and scientific knowledge.

    sources:
    https://www.usoud.cz/aktualne/chirurgicky-zakrok-vcetne-sterilizace-jako-podminka-uredni-zmeny-pohlavi-neobstal-pred-ustavnim-soudem
    https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/domaci-zivot-v-cesku-ustavni-soud-operace-nebude-podminkou-uredni-zmeny-pohlavi-251323
    https://denikn.cz/minuta/1419422
    https://zpravy.aktualne.cz/domaci/ustavni-soud-rozhodl-ze-operace-uz-nebude-podminkou-uredni-z/r~6bce93420c4311ef80bfac1f6b220ee8/

  • Beyond the economic impact of sexualized violence and the Christian lobby

    Beyond the economic impact of sexualized violence and the Christian lobby

    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 of sexualized violence, while one in five women have experienced rape.

    Although we often discuss the physical consequences such as injuries, research reveals extensive psychological, social and health implications. Victims face heightened sensitivity, lowered self-esteem and even chronic illnesses such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. It is worrying to note that only 32% of the women who needed medical help actually sought it, which clearly shows the barriers to accessing the necessary services that exist.

    The cost of treating and caring for victims of sexualized violence amounts to a staggering CZK 2.3 billion a year (EUR 90.5 million). These figures do not include the individual costs borne by victims for treatment or care beyond the scope of health insurance. Most of the resources are spent on treating the psychological consequences faced by victims, which clearly illustrates the devastating impact of this form of violence on mental health.

    But where is our society in this situation? Instead of taking the side of the victims and finding effective ways to tackle this epidemic, we are facing political games that, for example, prevent the ratification of the Istanbul Convention – the Czech Republic became one of the last EU countries to sign the Istanbul Convention (2016), but ratification has been pending ever since. Despite the President’s calls and the support of the government’s Human Rights Commissioner, we are still facing political obstacles to its implementation.

    Groups such as the Christian Alliance for the Family, which oppose ratification of the Convention, represent a tenth of the population, but their voice is widely heard (“surrogacy is a modern form of slavery”, “adoption of children from orphanages by homosexuals is just a nice strategy”, “the need to end state support for ideologies that denigrate the role of the family and deny the natural uniqueness and complementarity of men and women” – read “Stop LGBTQ+”, etc.). The Senate, although narrowly (2 votes), rejected ratification of the Convention, putting political interests ahead of protecting victims. The rejection by senators, particularly from the KDU-ČSL (Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People’s Party) club, reveals the influence of the Christian lobby. It is unacceptable that in a secular state, religious-political interests should prevail over the protection of human rights and the interests of victims of sexualized violence.
    (According to the statement of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic (in 2022), the Alliance for the Family is represented in the working group on the Family Policy Concept. It has been cooperating with the Ministry since Marián Jurečka (KDU-ČSL) took up the role of Minister, and the Vice-Chair of the Association, Jan Gregor, is an advisor to the Deputy Minister of Justice.)

    What can be done? It is time for the government to take responsibility and act.
    It must take steps to raise awareness of the impact of sexualized violence on victims, ensure adequate funding for the prevention of such violence and, most importantly, ensure the availability of specialist services for victims. In order to minimize further traumatization and to ensure that the assistance provided is as sensitive and professional as possible, education of all professions that come into contact with victims is essential.
    Let us not forget that behind every statistic there is a human fate, each digit signifying a life filled with pain and suffering. It is our moral and human duty to act and promote changes that will improve the lives of those who are vulnerable and need our help and protection.

    Discussion in society and putting pressure on political leaders are key to ensuring a safer future for all citizens of the Czech Republic.
    Let us open our eyes and hearts, be reasonable, and oppose violence in all its forms.

  • Strawmanning & refusing Istanbul Convention

    Strawmanning & refusing Istanbul Convention

    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 disappointing for victims of domestic violence in the Czech Republic, who will thus lose the tools for their protection that the international document provides. The majority of European countries have already ratified the Istanbul Convention, and the Czech Republic finds itself in a minority of countries that reject it.

    Some senators and critics of the Convention have argued that Czech law already provides sufficient protection for victims of domestic violence and that ratification of the Convention would threaten the “traditional family” and allow “gender ideology” to enter schools. But the arguments against the Convention are not supported by real evidence – the Convention does not threaten the Catholic based “traditional family” in any way and the term “gender ideology” is a straw man. The Convention seeks to provide protection for people in relationships where violence occurs by introducing preventive measures, legal protection for victims and sanctions for perpetrators. Its aim is not to promote any ideology, but to provide assistance to people at risk of domestic violence.

    Filip Titlbach, journalist, author and podcaster on Threads:
    “What was said in the Senate:
    – “we are trying to overcome the will of nature”
    – “there will be an obligation to deceive children”
    – “the convention says the traditional family is the enemy”
    – “it will be taught that men can give birth”
    – “the convention is a poisoned apple”
    Hoaxes, misinformation and myths have won the day. And it is an international disgrace.”

    Martin Dvořák, Minister for European Affairs, wrote on Twitter:
    “Unfortunately, the Istanbul Convention did not pass the Senate. I am sorry that the Istanbul Convention has become a bogeyman for “traditional” Czech families and despite the great efforts of the Convention’s supporters, the rudder has not been turned back. It is an international disgrace. I am really angry and sorry because we are sending a very bad signal to women and girls that we do not consider it necessary to protect victims of domestic violence.”

    Ratification of the Convention would symbolize that the Czech state does not accept violence against women and families – violence in Czech households is a serious problem. According to statistics, approximately one in three women and one in 14 men in the Czech Republic experience domestic violence. IKEA research shows that up to 84% of respondents think that more attention should be paid to the issue of domestic violence. At the same time, more than half of the respondents know or at least believe that they have someone in their neighbourhood who has or has had an experience of psychological or physical domestic violence.

    And these statistics are just the tip of the iceberg…
    “Only about eight percent of victims of domestic violence contact the police,” said Branislava Marvánová Vargová from the ROSA centre, which provides comprehensive assistance to women victims of domestic violence.

    “I went to the calendar to check that we are really living in 2024 and not in the Middle Ages. Thank you to all the senators and representatives who supported the ratification of the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence today.
    Unfortunately, the rest have made it clear that they are not interested in combating domestic and sexual violence or in helping victims. I believe that the citizens will make it clear to them in the autumn elections that this issue is important to them. We will continue to fight to put the ideas of the Convention into practice,    ” said Ivan Bartoš, Deputy Prime Minister for Digitalization and Minister for Regional Development of the Czech Republic.

    Šel jsem si radši ověřit do kalendáře, že fakt žijeme v roce 2024 a ne ve středověku. Děkuji všem senátorům a senátorkám, kteří dnes společně s Piráty podpořili přijetí Úmluvy o potírání a prevenci násilí. Bohužel zbytek dal najevo, že je boj proti domácímu a sexuálnímu násilí…— Ivan Bartoš (@PiratIvanBartos) January 24, 2024

    Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartoš on Twitter

    Hopefully this situation will change in the future, and we will overcome the backward approach of conservatives and the Catholic Church playing (not only) “gender ideology” false card –
    – “all efforts to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence must be welcomed on principle, but must not be done at the expense of obscuring and challenging the natural order. In recent years there have been attempts, along with addressing the problem of violence against women, to establish a new view of the role of man, which is incompatible with the natural law, common sense and Christian experience” (Joint letter of the Bishops of the Czech and Moravian dioceses on the approval of the so-called Istanbul Convention) –
    – and the Czech Republic will join the countries that have already ratified the Convention.

    sources:
    https://www.denik.cz/z_domova/istanbulska-umluva-petr-pavel.html
    https://www.heroine.cz/spolecnost/souboj-o-umluvu-proti-nasili-vrcholi-kdo-ma-v-senatu-navrch-a-co-se-muze-dit-dal
    https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-domov/senat-istanbulska-umluva_2401242301_mst
    https://denikn.cz/minuta/1337653/
    https://denikn.cz/1337676/istanbulska-umluva-tesne-neprosla-senatem-chybely-dva-hlasy-nepomohl-apel-prezidenta-ani-emotivni-vystrcil/?ref=inm
    https://www.threads.net/@filip.titlbach/post/C2gMAO9ISRn?hl=cs
    https://twitter.com/_MartinDvorak/status/1750276456976982468
    https://www.cirkev.cz/cs/aktuality/180513istanbulska-umluva-neni-posilou-pratelstvi-muze-a-zeny-pisou-biskupove
    https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/fakta-zena-partnera-vyprovokuje-domaci-nasili-v-cesku-je-skryte-za-stereotypy-183380
    https://www.ikea.com/cz/cs/newsroom/corporate-news/vyzkum-ikea-domaci-nasili-je-v-ceske-spolecnosti-zatizeno-mnoha-stereotypy-pubd508a147