Most Czechs who feel discriminated against do not turn to court

Brno, Feb 20 (CTK) - Nine out of ten people who felt discriminated against in the Czech Republic did not take their case to court even though they believe their rights were violated, David Strupek, lawyer specialising in discrimination court cases, said Wednesday.

Czech Ombudsman Pavel Varvarovsky does not have enough powers in discrimination cases, unlike his colleagues in West European countries, he said.

Varvarovsky said he only has soft powers such as offering methodical advice to discrimination victims.

Strupek said people mostly decide not to sue those who allegedly discriminated against them because the result of the court proceeding is unpredictable.

"The plaintiff does not know what motivation of their actions and what evidence the accused will present, but he knows exactly how much he would pay if he loses the court dispute," Strupek said.

Varvarovsky shares Strupek's view.

Strupek said he believes the court or lawyer fees are not anything that would prevent people from filing discrimination complaints because poor people have to pay neither the lawyer nor the court fee.

Three years ago the anti-discrimination law took effect in the Czech Republic.

Varvarovsky said the law does not give the ombudsman powers to help discrimination victims in their court proceedings.

He said he can understand why people mostly do not file complaints when they feel discriminated against.

Varvarovsky said in some countries it suffices that the ombudsman declares that somebody made a mistake and should correct it, but this is not the case of the Czech Republic, unfortunately.

Lawyer Michal Cermak said the Czech anti-discrimination law is too complex and common people cannot understand it without an expert's help.