President of Czech Republic Supports Equal Conditions and Ratification of the Istanbul Convention

“I follow the main principle, which is equal conditions for everyone,” declared Pavel, saying that this refers to the marriage of same-sex couples, the adoption of children by same-sex couples, the protection of minorities and the rejection of violence against women.

“I am in favor of ratifying the Istanbul Convention. There isn’t a single real reason why we should avoid it,” he added. The convention talks about preventing and combating violence against women. The Czech Republic signed it, but has not yet ratified it.

The president also does not like the attitude of the Czech government, which did not join the European Commission’s lawsuit against Hungary because of a law that discriminates against minorities. It prohibits any presentation of homosexuality and works related to it in schools for children under 18 years of age.

“My personal opinion is that we should have joined. I have to ask the prime minister what led the government to renounce it,” said Pavel.

Cabinet spokesman Václav Smolka justified the decision by saying that the government decided not to join the lawsuit because the Czech Republic will chair the V4 group from mid-year.