The United States extends its gratitude to the Czech Republic for hosting the Terezin Declaration Conference November 2 – 4, 2022 as part of its EU presidency. We fully support the “Chair’s Statement” as a follow-up to the conference and countries’ subsequent pledges to assist Holocaust survivors and their heirs and to preserve the memory of the …
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Secretary of State Blinken addressed the participants of the conference on the Terezín Declaration , which took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Prague: “Restitution and compensation through the Terezín Declaration help to memorialize the truth about Nazi atrocities. We must continue to speak out about the Shoah, so that its hideous crimes are never …
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony S. Blinken has announced humanitarian assistance to support those affected by Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine, to include $10.2 million for organizations working in the Czech Republic. “The Czech Republic continues to show leadership, courage, and compassion through its support for Ukraine and for Ukrainian people forced to flee their …
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On December 8, Chargé d’affaires Jennifer Bachus presented the U.S. Embassy’s annual Alice G. Masaryk Human Rights Award to prominent human rights activists Gwendolyn Albert, Elena Gorolová, and Deputy Ombudsperson Monika Šimůnková for their tireless efforts to secure compensation for victims of forced sterilization between the 1960s and 2012. The Czech Republic passed compensation legislation …
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Human Rights Officer Iva Ziza joined the Museum of Romani Culture, Czech government officials, and diplomats in commemorating the Roma and Sinti victims of WWII Holocaust at Hodonin u Kunstatu. From 1940 to 1944, over 1,300 people, including women and children, were imprisoned at the site, where many of them perished, were subject to forced …
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OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM MAY 12, 2021 The annual Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom – the International Religious Freedom Report – describes the status of religious freedom in every country. The report covers government policies violating religious belief and practices of groups, religious denominations and individuals, and U.S. policies to promote religious …
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I am honored to release the 45th annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to placing human rights at the center of our foreign policy. The cause of human rights, freedom, and dignity is close to the American heart. As President Biden emphasized, “We must start with diplomacy rooted in America’s most cherished democratic values: defending freedom, championing …
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On August 20, 2020, members of the Roma community gathered at a memorial in Hodonín u Kunštátu to remember the victims of a Nazi genocide. More than 1,200 Roma and Sinti men, women, and children were imprisoned and subjected to inhumane conditions at the site during World War II. On August 21-22, 1943, 749 of …
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The U.S. Embassy in Prague announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out programs that foster democracy, promote human rights, support labor efforts, and fight corruption. Proposals should include a program description that describes the human rights and democracy-related program goals, defines target audiences, includes measurable outcomes, notes any plans for follow-on activities, and discusses potential media amplification. Award amount: award may not …
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Taj Johnson, the U.S. Embassy Human Rights Officer, congratulated children (as well as their teachers) who succeeded in the Romano Suno (Romani Dream) literary and art contest. The award ceremony took place at the American Center on the Human Rights Day, December 10th. Romano Suno has been coordinated annually for more than 20 years …
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On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, U.S. Embassy Prague presented the annual Alice G. Masaryk Human Rights Award to Šimon Pánek, the co-founder and Director of People in Need NGO. Šimon Pánek was selected due to his inspirational leadership and extraordinary commitment to the foundation, development, and protection of Czech civic society. The evening was …
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The Community Solutions Program is a professional leadership development program for the best and brightest community leaders worldwide. Community Solutions Fellows complete a four-month fellowship from August to December with a US nonprofit organization or local government agency. Our Community Leadership Institute provides an integrated leadership curriculum and individualized coaching throughout the fellowship. Fellows return …
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Ambassador Stephen King hosted the Human Rights Reception at his residence on September 10. The event united human rights practitioners from across the Czech Republic. The opening speech by Ambassador King was followed by an address by Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek. The Ambassador reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to human rights and core democratic values. …
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On Tuesday, August 20, Moravian Roma community members, including several Roma holocaust survivors, gathered at a memorial at Hodonín u Kunštátu to commemorate Roma who died at the Nazi internment camp in 1942 and 1943. Romani men, women, and children suffered inhumane conditions in the camp while waiting to be transported to Auschwitz. Only a …
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Ambassador King presented a certificate to intern Izabela Chalupníková at the end of her time within our 9-month long Baruv Fellowship Program for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. We deeply thank Izabela for her amazing work, cooperation and everything she brought to the table. The U.S. Embassy Prague entered into Public-Private Partnerships with The International School …
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Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2018: Czech Republic The United States was founded on the premise that all persons “are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Our Constitution secures these unalienable rights by proclaiming in the First Amendment that “Congress shall make no law respecting …
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On the occasion of International Human Rights Day marking the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, U.S. Embassy Prague presented the 15th Annual Alice G. Masaryk Human Rights Award to Magdalena Karvayova, a young Roma inclusive education activist and a founder of the NGO Awen Amenca. Ms. Karvayova was selected for her …
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On August 6, Ambassador King attended the opening of the 8th Prague Pride Festival which belongs among the largest cultural events of Prague´s summer season. The Ambassador said in his speech on Strelecky Island that he is „proud that the U.S. Embassy has supported the festival since its inception in 2011 … because LGBTI person …
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Representatives of nine U.S. embassies from the region and representatives of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Helsinki Commission met in Prague and Brno last week to discuss current situation of Roma in the region. The representatives shared best practices, policies and projects that help to successfully integrate Roma people into major society …
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On the occasion of International Human Rights Day (December 10), U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic Stephen King presented yesterday the 2017 Alice Garrigue Masaryk Award to Roma activist Čeněk Růžička. “Čeněk Růžička is the recipient of our award for his tireless advocacy of Roma Holocaust victims and his decades-long struggle for a dignified memorial …
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Acting Public Affairs Counselor Erin Kotheimer gave remarks on Saturday, September 23 at the Women’s Congress in Prague. U.S. Embassy Prague supports projects such as the Women’s Congress that are aimed at encouraging women’s leadership in society and strengthening gender equality. The theme of this year’s Women’s Congress “Women and the Public Space,” featuring discussions …
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U.S. Embassy Prague’s Acting Public Affairs Counselor Erin Kotheimer spoke with this year’s cohort of Roma Fellows to discuss their fellowship experiences within organizations throughout the Czech Republic this year. The Fellowship program, led by Czech NGO Slovo 21, enables young Roma university students and recent graduates to gain professional experience during a 9-month long …
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Julianne Parker, political officer for human rights of the U.S. Embassy, laid a wreath on August 20 on behalf of the American people at the memorial in Hodonin u Kunstatu where some 200 people, including Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, gathered to commemorate the Roma Holocaust. The memorial was built at the site of a …
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The U.S. Embassy in Prague is a proud supporter of the Prague Pride Festival and Pride activities taking place August 7-13 throughout the city. We stand in solidarity with human rights defenders and civil society organizations working around the country to ensure LGBTI persons live with dignity, respect, and freedom. As part of Pride Week …
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On Thursday, July 20, 2017, the American Center of the U.S. Embassy hosted an interesting discussion on human rights with a group of Czech and American High School students in their respective countries. Acting Public Affairs Counselor Erin Kotheimer welcomed the students and opened the discussion. Political Human Rights Officer Julianne Parker, Political Specialist Helena …
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On December 21st Marines from the U.S. Embassy in Prague Detachment donated a gift of Toys for Tots at the Safehouse of St. Joseph for mothers/fathers in need with children in Lochovice near Beroun in the Central Bohemian Region. Thirty-three children altogether will enjoy their new toys at Christmas – both kids at the safehouse …
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U.S. Ambassador Schapiro attended the 2016 Roma Spirit Awards on December 10, where he awarded the media prize to Czech Television reporter Richard Samko. In his remarks, Ambassador Schapiro emphasized: “When the media cover cases of exclusion and discrimination, exposing these human rights violations, it increases awareness and understanding from the public, decreasing tolerance for these practices.” Before …
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On the occasion of International Human Rights Day (December 10), U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic Andrew H. Schapiro presented on December 8 the Alice Garrigue Masaryk Award to Pomáháme lidem na útěku (The Czech Refugee Help or PLNU) organization which supports, helps, and coordinates Czech volunteers working along the Balkan refugee route. “The award was …
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Consul General of the U.S. Embassy in Prague Nikolas Trendowski got himself tested for HIV in Dum Svetla HIV/AIDS center in Prague on the occasion of World AIDS Day on December 1. The purpose was to help raise HIV/AIDS awareness, to highlight strong U.S. role on the topics of HIV/AIDS prevention and to help debunk …
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U.S. Visitor Major Clarke Cooper met with Czech LGBTI leaders and described how the US military changed to give LGBTI soldiers full and equal rights. Great discussion about the recent Czech Constitutional Court decision expanding adoption rights, changes in public attitudes, and next steps in the effort to end discrimination.
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The U.S. Embassy in Prague was proud to support the Prague Pride Festival again this year, which took place August 8-14 throughout the city. This year’s theme was “love,” and the Pride Festival’s objective was to combat prejudice against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) persons and other minorities. The U.S. Embassy organized several …
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The U.S. Embassy in Prague is proud to support the Prague Pride Festival again this year, which will take place August 8-14 throughout the city. This year’s theme is “love,” and the Pride Festival’s objective is to combat prejudice against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) persons and other minorities. 130 events are planned …
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On June 20, on the occasion of World Refugee Day, U.S. Ambassador Schapiro met with Czech officials who traveled to the U.S. on the International Visitors Leadership Program(IVLP) project for V4 countries entitled Integrating Refugees through Community Outreach. The selected Czech participants included: Ministry of Interior officials Pavel Dymeš and Jan Kepka, Member of Parliament …
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Prague, June 20 – World Refugee Day is a time when we reflect on the millions of men, women, and children around the world who have been displaced from their homes because of hardship. Today, we honor their resilience, their courage, and the dedication of those who come to their aid. As a child of …
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The U.S. Embassy in Prague marks the World Refugee Day celebrated on June 20 to commemorate the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees around the world. As the largest refugee resettlement country in the world, the United States would like to highlight on this day that refugees have for many years positively contributed …
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Ali Al Sudani, Director of Refugee Services in Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, visited the Czech Republic from May 16-27. Mr. Al Sudani spoke to Czech NGOs, government officials, university students, and the Czech media about best practices in refugee resettlement and integration in the United States, and in Texas in particular. “… In the …
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U.S. Ambassador Andrew Schapiro joined Minister for Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Jiri Dienstbier during a visit to the city of Kadan in Northwest Bohemia on April 22. Together with officials from the Agency for Social Inclusion, they met representatives of the local socially excluded area in Prunerov populated predominantly by Roma, and a vocational …
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Prague, April 7 – On the occasion of International Roma Day on April 8, U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic Andrew Schapiro joined three fellows participating in the Embassy-sponsored Roma Fellowship program, AraArt International Roma Day Events Coordinator David Tiser, and Slovo 21 Roma Fellowship Coordinator Denisa Horvathova in a video reaffirming our commitment to …
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Prague, March 11, 2016 — The U.S. Embassy Prague has launched 9-month fellowships for five Roma university students and graduates through the “Roma Fellowship” program. The program is being implemented by the NGO Slovo 21. The goal of the Roma Fellowship program is to give the fellows an opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills …
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U.S. Ambassador Andrew H. Schapiro met with Muneeb Al Rawi, Head of the Islamic Foundation of Brno, to express U.S. support and solidarity for the Muslim community here and around the world. The two discussed the importance of tolerance, inclusiveness, and building bridges of mutual understanding among faith communities. Ambassador Schapiro said “”I received a …
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NGO Slovo 21 Project Managers Martina Horvathova and Michal Miko led a roundtable at the U.S. Embassy’s American Center on March 24 to discuss their recent experiences on the U.S. International Visitor Leadership Program Political Action For Civil Rights which took place in Alabama, Texas, Washington and Washington, D.C. While on the program they studied …
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On the occasion of the anniversary of International Human Rights Day (December 10), U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic Andrew H. Schapiro presented on December 9 the Alice Garrigue Masaryk Award to Marie Gottfriedová, Director of the elementary school in Trmice, for successfully implementing and advocating for inclusive education in the Czech Republic. “As the …
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On Monday, November 9, Ambassador Andrew Schapiro opened a conference on integration of people with visual impairments into the workforce through the use of modern technologies. “This conference demonstrates how private companies, government offices, NGOs, and even embassies like mine can include people with various special needs in the workforce. This process not only promotes …
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A second friendly football game between FC Roma Jr from Decin and FC Embassies took place in Prague on Sunday, 20 September at Prague’s Podolí. This was a re-match of last year’s highly publicized game between the Decin football team and a team made up of diplomats and embassy personnel from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, the …
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For the fifth year in a row, the U.S. Embassy in Prague was proud to support Prague Pride. The Festival encourages the integration of the LGBT community into broader society while also combatting prejudices against minorities. On August 15, members of the U.S. Embassy community joined thousands in the annual Prague Pride Parade. The parade …
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