AI wants Czech diplomacy to deal with human rights

Amnesty International (AI) today recommended to the Czech diplomacy that it deal with some human rights issues such as the closing of the U.S. prison in Guantanamo and human rights in China and Israel during the forthcoming Czech EU presidency.

It should also focus on the position of Romanies in the EU, AI told CTK.

The EU, headed by the Czech Republic, should offer help to the USA closing the Guantanamo prison, AI activists said.

"Czech EU presidency will be a historical opportunity to put an end to the human rights scandal in Guantanamo," the activists said on the document Europe’s Heart Must Beat for Human Rights, passed to Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg.

The issue should be debated at the first summit EU-USA with the new U.S. administration headed by Barack Obama, AI said.

Portugal recently called on EU countries to offer protection to the prisoners from Guantanamo.

AI said the life of Romany minority in Europe should be improved.

"It is impossible to close the eyes before the necessity to resolve the position of Romany communities across the EU," AI Czech branch director Dasa van der Horst said.

"In this, the Czech government can make the most of its own experiences and support a framework strategy for the integration of Romanies," van der Horst said.

"During its presidency, the Czech Republic will have an opportunity to send a clear signal that from the position of EU leader it is ready to take concrete steps for the protection of human rights," van der Horst said.

The Czech Republic starts its six-month rotating EU presidency on January 1.