Report No. 198

7.7 Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia is having a law on the special protection of witnesses and other persons. In this regard amendment to the Penal Programme Code was adopted by Act NO. 141/2001 which came into force on 1.5.2001. The fundamental goal of this Act is to secure adequate legal regulations for the special protection of witnesses against all forms of direct or indirect threat, pressure or blackmail in connection with the penal action. The Act includes an all-embracing protection of witnesses in the most serious cases of criminal activity, especially organised crime.

A special programme of protection has been prescribed for witnesses who are threatened under that programme. They will be provided with personal protection, protection of dwelling, movement within the Czech Republic and abroad, help in finding work, social help, and in the more serious cases, disguised identity.