MF Dnes: J.K. Rowling met with Czech government minister

The Czech daily newspaper Mlada Fronta Dnes has reported that British author J.K. Rowling - of Harry Potter fame - visited Prague recently and met unofficially with Minister without portfolio Dzamila Stehlikova, in charge of overseeing human rights. Mrs Stehlikova said that Ms Rowling had expressed regret for strong criticism during her campaign against caged beds in Czech institutional care. In 2004 Ms Rowling addressed the Czech government on the issue, eventually sparking the removal of such beds from mental hospitals and other institutions. Some relatives and health care workers have since complained about the changes, saying they leave clients - mostly children or the disabled - at greater risk of falling and injuring themselves. But sideboards can be used when approved by clients' relatives or legal representation.