Gender equality office wants stalking classified a criminal offence

The government's Council for Equal Opportunities will recommend to the government the drafting of a bill which would make stalking in the Czech Republic a criminal offence; the announcement was made by the Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Džamila Stehlíková on Friday. Stalking often plays a role in domestic violence cases, in which former spouses are targeted. Currently, it is prosecuted as a crime in several EU countries, Mrs Stehlíková pointed out. Stalking as a criminal offence appeared in an earlier version of the draft criminal code but was later deleted. Organisations focussed on helping victims of domestic violence are backing its re-inclusion, saying it could allow for the better protection of victims and prevent some cases from escalating into tragedy.