WEAPONS EXPORTS FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC INCREASE AT THE EXPENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION
Amnesty International (AI) has been warning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to give attention to serious discrepancies between the declared support of democracy and human rights on the one hand, and the promotion of military equipment exports to risk countries on the other.
AI argues that in countries where there is a real risk of misuse of weapons for the purpose of suppressing human rights, weapon exports should not be permitted. This should apply not only with regard to the applicable criteria for the granting of licenses for weapon exports, but also with regard to the policy of promoting democracy in the transformation and development cooperation, which prioritizes the protection of human rights, local development and democratic values.
COUNTRIES WHERE THE CZECH REPUBLIC EXPORTED WEAPONS IN 2013
In 2015 the Czech Republic exported military equipment to 34 countries that severely violate human rights while lacking control standards for movement of weapons. These are often repressive regimes where the state does not have democratic control of the armed forces, lacks an independent judiciary system as well as police forces and elites who are loyal to their citizens. In total, these exports of 7,37 billion CZK represent 49,3% of total exports from the Czech Republic.
The supporting wall of the Letná park is decorated with paintings of the famous Prague towers: the Old Town tower, the Žižkov TV Tower, the Powder Tower, the Šítkov water-tower and the towers of the Týn church. These dominants of a city, often called „the city of a hundred towers“, is easily recognised not only by people living in Prague, but also visitors. The black and white depictions have a disturbing feel. Instead of touristic motives there are scenes from the city ruined by war.
The exhibition of Ota Hudec called „Prague the day after bombing“ is bringing attention to the mass export of military equipment from the Czech Republic to unstable and nondemocratic regimes. The exhibition was organised in collaboration with Amnesty International CZ, who has been warning about the uncontrolled export of military equipment.
