November 2nd, 2009

Christian Democrats join chorus against Czech opt-out from EU charter

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The promise of granting the Czech Republic an opt-out from the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights can be interpreted as confirmation that the post-WWII Benes decrees would remain in place, Zsolt Semjen, head of the Christian Democratic People’s Party, told reporters on Friday.

“It would be a scandal if the Benes decrees, laws collectively depriving ethnic communities of their rights, should stay in effect,” Semjen said.

The Czech Republic was promised exemption from the charter, in response to Czech fears of possible claims for recompense by descendants of ethnic Germans who had been expelled from the country after WWII.

Czech President Vaclav Klaus had earlier indicated that he would not sign the EU’s Lisbon Treaty unless his country was granted an opt-out from the Charter.

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