Outrage in Czech Republic stirred by aggressive police action during the recent visit of the Chinese president Xi Jinping has moved into a new chapter, with a group of politicians and activists filing suit against the government for alleged violations of constitutional and human rights. The group has also criticized steps taken by the Prague City Hall and says it will use all means possible to defend citizens’ rights. Former ministers Martin Bursík, Jan Kalvoda, Michael Kocáb and Jan Ruml signed the statement as did the former deputy justice minister Hana Marvanová, former MP Kateřina Jacques, and a group of dissidents from the pre-revolution era.
The group is also demanding a clear stance be taken by the parliament and government on a change in foreign policy. President Miloš Zeman made a big show of his pro-European leanings upon his inauguration, but in an interview before the Chinese president’s visit, he said in an interview with the China’s central television channel that Czech politicians have previously yielded too much to the pressure of the US and the EU.
