Communist meeting held by KSMC

Denial of crimes of communism to be punishable

ČTK news agency informed that the new Penal Code was passed by the Chamber of Deputies on November 12, 2008 according to which public denial and doubts concerning the crimes of the communist and nazi regimes against humanity will be acknowledged as a criminal offence punished with up to three years of penitentiary.

This draft caused controversy in the society. Quite naturally, the opposing Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSMC) begrudged the new Code. The party’s leader Vojtech Filip snarled: "This is one of the worst things that happened to us here." But the commies haven’t managed to get support in the parliament. Only Zdenek Skromach, deputy chairman of opposing Chezh Social Democratic Party (CSSD), made for the Code’s rejection.

Eventually, the new Penal Code passed after the final ballot backed by 120 deputies of total 152. Among the parties only the communists voted against the draft. And Ludvik Hovorka of Christian and Democratic Union (KDU-CSL) and independent MP Evzen Snitily notorious for his leftist beliefs backed them.

Photo: Communist meeting held by KSMC before 2006 Czech parliament elections, by Che (wikimedia.org)

Date: 17/11/2008