HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN CZECH REPUBLIC
Prisoners still held in Czech jail after IMF/World Bank protests

On Monday 16 October 2000 at 12.15, 4 people entered the Czech Embassy in London and successfully occupied offices on the first floor demanding to speak to the Ambassador to protest human rights abuses in the Czech Republic and the continued detention of Czech and international persons following action in Prague against the IMF and the World Bank at the end of September. The four were arrested for trespassing on diplomatic territory (apparently invading a foreign country!) and have been bailed to return. Supporters outside hung a banner and handed out leaflets detailing the situation in the Czech Republic. The following statement was issued yesterday:

Prisoners arrested in Prague during protests against the IMF and World Bank have been subjected to severe police brutality. Most of the 859 prisoners arrested and detained on September 26-29 have been released.

However, there is still confusion surrounding the numbers of Czech people and reports of disappearances. There are also a number of international activists who continue to be held and are facing charges.

Police brutality is nothing new. Despite the European Convention on Human Rights being incorporated into Czech law, in reality this is meaningless. Abuse of basic human rights is sanctioned by all States. Security forces are routinely used to protect the interests of corrupt institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank against challenges to their authority by political activists in so-called democracies as well as in recognised repressive regimes. Protesters are labeled criminals and terrorists to justify intense state repression and to prevent mass participation in the struggle for life and freedom.

Today's occupation of the Czech Embassy recognises the prisoners being held in the Czech Republic following the protests on S26 as political prisoners and makes the following demands:

1) All prisoners held as a result of action against the IMF/World Bank should be released without charge and confiscated belongings should be returned.
2) Until then, all prisoners deserve support and protection from police brutality and torture and should have access to their basic rights.
3) There should be full disclosure of information on those arrested and held.
4) The Czech authorities must publicly acknowledge and apologise for the brutality and campaign of misinformation directed against protesters in Prague.

We ask people around the world to continue to apply pressure on their own and the Czech government to facilitate the release of these political prisoners.