Czechia Faces Pressure to Reassess Tougher Citizenship Rules for Russians
Czech Constitutional Court to Review Citizenship Restrictions Targeting Russians
The Constitutional Court of Czechia (ÚS) is set to examine whether the country's recently tightened citizenship rules for Russian nationals violate the Czech Constitution. This follows a formal challenge by a group of Czech senators who argue that the legislation discriminates against all Russians, regardless of their individual beliefs or opposition to the Russian regime.
The proposal, now available on the court’s official website, reflects growing domestic concern over the fairness and legality of the policy. Senator Michael Canov (SLK) labelled the law as unconstitutional, stating it unfairly penalises Russian citizens, particularly those who fled Russia to escape repression or avoid involvement in the war in Ukraine.
New Law Aims to Safeguard National Security
Introduced as part of Czechia’s broader response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the law requires all Russian applicants for Czech citizenship to renounce their Russian citizenship. Government officials defend the measure as a necessary step to protect Czechia’s security and foreign policy interests.
However, exceptions exist for certain categories, including:
- Asylum seekers
- Individuals granted citizenship for services rendered to the Czech state
- Children of Czech fathers
Criticism Over Effectiveness and Fairness
Senators opposing the law argue that Czechia already has effective tools in place to screen high-risk applicants. Under existing rules, authorities can deny citizenship for classified national security reasons, without disclosing details or offering the applicant a path to appeal. Critics contend that the new law is both redundant and excessively punitive, potentially violating constitutional protections.
Czechia & Poland Push for Diplomatic Restrictions
This legal challenge comes amid broader tensions between EU countries and Russia. Earlier this month, Czechia and Poland called for Schengen-wide restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats, citing heightened concerns over espionage and sabotage across Europe.
As the Constitutional Court prepares to evaluate the new citizenship law, the case could have broader implications for how national security concerns are balanced with individual rights and legal protections in Czechia.
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