US EditionCzech President Signs Law Criminalising Communist Propaganda
CZECH REPUBLIC, JUL 17 – The law imposes prison sentences up to five years for promoting communist ideology, addressing legal gaps that previously favored Nazi propaganda penalties, officials said.
- On July 17, 2025, Czech President Petr Pavel signed the amendment criminalising communist promotion, equating it with Nazi propaganda.
- Calls from the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes prompted the amendment, arguing Nazi propaganda was penalised but Communist symbols were tolerated.
- Revised provisions allow penalties including establishing, supporting or promoting Nazi, communist or other movements, with prison sentences up to five years and 10 years in aggravated cases.
- The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia denounced the amendment as 'failed attempt to push KSČM outside the law', while MP Michal Zuna called it 'symbolic act of justice for victims of the Communist regime'.
- In October's elections, the Stačilo alliance could return to parliament, and it remains unclear how the law will apply to legitimate parties like KSČM.
32 Articles
32 Articles
In the Czech Republic, the promotion of communist ideology becomes an offence punishable by imprisonment. On Thursday 17 July, President Petr Pavel promulgated an amendment to the Criminal Code which equates communist propaganda with that of Nazism. The text provides for up to five years' imprisonment for anyone who "creates, supports or promotes Nazi, communist or other movements" aimed at suppressing human rights or inciting hatred, reports Eu…
Czechia president approves law criminalizing support for communism and Nazism
Czech President Petr Pavel signed a new law on Friday introducing changes to the country’s criminal code that ban support for ideologies considered harmful to public order and societal cohesion, including communism and Nazism. The law forms part of broader initiatives across Eastern Europe to enhance legal frameworks aimed at addressing totalitarian movements. As reported by Euractiv, the law establishes prison sentences of up to five years for …
A new amendment to the Penal Code signed on 17 July by the Czech President places the promotion of communism at the same level as Nazi propaganda.
The Czech President Peter Paul has signed an amendment to the country's criminal code that criminalizes the promotion of communist ideology, placing it at the foot of equality with Nazi propaganda, Sir Euractive.
Czech President Petr Pavel has signed an amendment to the Criminal Code, according to which the promotion of communist ideology - like Nazi ideology - will now be punishable by imprisonment in the Czech Republic.
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