Up to 5 years in prison: Czech Republic equates communist propaganda with Nazism
18 July 2025 14:44
The Czech Republic has equated the propaganda of communist ideology with Nazi ideology. The relevant law was signed by President Peter Pavel, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports citing Euroactiv.
According to the updated criminal code, such activities are punishable by up to five years in prison.
What does the law provide for?
According to the adopted amendments, criminal punishment awaits anyone who: creates, supports or promotes Nazi, communist or other movements that are clearly aimed at suppressing human rights and freedoms or inciting racial, ethnic, national, religious or class hatred.
Thus, communist propaganda in the Czech Republic is now considered as dangerous as the glorification of Nazism.
Why was the law passed now?
The bill was promoted amid numerous appeals from Czech historical institutions, including the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes.
Experts insisted that there was a legal asymmetry: Nazi propaganda had long been subject to severe punishment, while communism remained outside the scope of criminal law, despite mass repression and human rights violations during the communist era.
Who is against it?
The Communist Party of the Czech Republic and Moravia (KSČM), headed by MEP Katerina Konecna, strongly criticized the initiative.
The party is now a member of the newly formed electoral alliance Stačilo (Enough), which is preparing for the October 2025 parliamentary elections.
It remains unclear how the new law will apply to parties like KSČM. The party currently has no seats in parliament, but recent polls show its alliance at 5% – enough to return to the lower house in the October elections.
