EU criticises Prague over phallometry again, wants explanation

Brussels, May 17 (CTK) - The EU is still afraid that Prague's use of phallometric tests to assess applicants for Czech asylum is incompatible with the EU's asylum rules and fundamental rights, Marcin Grabiec, spokesman for the EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem, told CTK Tuesday.

He commented on the opinion Malmstroem has released on her blog site and on a letter, already second, which Brussels sent to the Czech Republic on Monday, asking for explanation.

Phallometry is based on measuring the flow of blood in penis to see the physical reaction to pornographic material by men who applied for asylum on the basis of their homosexual orientation.

Prague previously asserted that it does not use this method any more. The method was previously applied in a few cases only, always with the asylum applicant's consent, Czech authorities said.

Nevertheless, in her blog article, Malmstroem writes that the Czech use of phallometry is a serious breach of people's right to privacy.

She writes homosexuals in some countries are victims of hate crime, discrimination and other forms of intolerance.

"A serious example can be found in the Czech Republic where 'phallometric testing' is used in the asylum procedure," she writes.

"This is a pure medieval method and a huge violation of the individual’s right to privacy," Mallmstroem writes.

Grabiec said the EC, in its letter to Prague, announced that it will continue dealing with the issue, and asked Prague for more information.

No official investigation of the Czech Republic has been launched or legal steps against Prague taken, Grabiec said.

The EU Human Rights Agency pointed to the Czech use of phallometry late last year. It accused Czech authorities of homophobia because the asylum applicants who presented themselves as homosexuals were subjected to the controversial testing.