The Czech Republic is one of the last remaining countries in Europe to require surgical treatment and forced sterilisation before a trans person can change their legal gender identity. In a positive new development, GiveOut’s partner Trans*parent have made a breakthrough towards ending the forced sterilisation of trans people in the Czech Republic.
After years of advocacy, campaigning and awareness raising, the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Justice, alongside their Human Rights Commissioner, have produced draft legislation which would end this harmful practice. Whilst this still requires ratification by both Parliaments and from the President to become law, this has the potential to be a huge step forward for trans rights in the region.
“It is everyone’s right to be able to express themselves freely as they are – and to be recognised by society in their entire identity. Trans people don’t have free choice now; they either have to undergo an operation with all the risks, or they will remain trapped in their official identity,” said government commissioner for human rights Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková.
Viktor Heumann, Chairman of Trans*parent, said “The current legislation is barbaric and does not treat trans people as people who should have equal chances and conditions for life. The abolition of forced castrations would be a historical milestone and a great move for the Czech Republic towards western-respecting democracies, so we hope for the fastest possible legislative process and a change that finally recognises the value of every human being.”