The Czech government has approved a revision to the criminal code, introducing stricter penalties for crimes committed due to the victim’s sexual orientation, gender, or disability. Under the new law, assaults resulting in injury could lead to prison sentences ranging from one to five years if the attack is motivated by these factors, compared to the current penalty of six months to three years.
The Ministry of Justice’s proposal expands the definition of “hate crimes,” now explicitly including sexual orientation, gender, and disability as aggravating factors. The change targets crimes such as bodily harm, extortion, and murder.
This amendment follows public cases, such as a December 2023 attack in České Budějovice, where men assaulted a person carrying a rainbow flag, motivated by the flag’s symbolic meaning. The law will now allow harsher penalties for such offenses, particularly when linked to perceived sexual orientation.
The reform also introduces financial penalties as a universal punishment option for all crimes, although serious offenses involving violence will not be eligible for financial fines. Additionally, the proposal includes the possibility of legally growing up to three cannabis plants for personal use and holding up to 25 grams of cannabis outside and 50 grams at home.
