The Czech Republic hopes to become a member of the European Union by 1 May 2004. Under the guidelines of the National Programme for the Preparation of the Czech Republic for EU Membership, the Czech Republic is fulfilling legislation and policy obligations in order to comply with the EU Acquis Communautaire. In 1999, the Czech Republic passed Civil Procedure Code, Section 133(a), which places the burden of proof on the employer, in a prima facie case of indirect or direct sexual discrimination, to show no violation of equal treatment under EU Directive 76/207/EEC as amended by Directive 2002/73/EC. The National Programme for the Preparation of the Czech Republic for EU membership outlines the short and medium term priorities for progressing toward accession. On 20 February, the Government entrusted the Deputy Prime Minister with drafting the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the acquis by the end of 2002. An inter-ministerial working group has been set up to assist in the drafting of anti-discrimination legislation and in the creation of a body for the promotion of equal treatment.
According to the 2002 Regular Report on Czech Republic's Progress Towards Accession by the Commission of the European Communities, a Council for Equal Opportunities began its work in January 2002. The Council is made up of members of the government, NGO representatives and experts on women's issues. Its objectives are to advise the government on equal opportunity legislation and to aid the government in the realization of equal opportunities in all areas. In other efforts to comply with the acquis, the government adopted a report on implementation of the 2000 National Plan Combating Commercial Sexual Abuse of Children in July 2002 and updated the plan. An amendment to the Criminal Code entered into force in June 2002 to extend the scope of provisions to "trafficking in human beings" so that provisions in the Criminal Code will extend to children. The government has also set up a timetable for the adoption of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law that would be in line with the European Union's acquis.
For more information, please see Monitoring the EU Accession Process: Equal Opportunities for Women and Men in the Czech Republic, Open Society Institute, 2002. (PDF, 55 pages)