NEW CZECH LAWSOVIET AND ALLIES

Grey River Argus, 28 October 1948, Page 10

NEW CZECH LAWSOVIET AND ALLIES

(From Sydney Brookes, Reuter’s Correspondent).

PRAGUE, (By Airmail). Foreigners intending to visit Czechoslovakia first ask themselves whethere they have recently slandered the Soviet Union, or any other ol Czechoslovakia’s Allies; whether they have spread false information or committed the crime of tendentious reporting. They should be .certain that they have not indulged in warmongering. li’ they have done any of these things, they will be liable to punishment under Czechoslovak law when they arrive there. Provisions of the new Communistsponsored law for the protection of the Republic are male to apply to foreigners and for deeds not necessarily committed in Czechoslovakia. The purpose of the new law was clearly stated in the Communist, newspaper “Rude Pravo” as being. . • “to suppress attempts of the former governing but not excluded classes to undermine the foundations of the Republic. “The new law, ’ the newspaper added, “will also contribute to the education of the judges, who, in full consciousness of their importance to the workers will be eagei defenders, of the People’s Democratic System. February drove back the Bourgeoise, 'the big -estate owners and their servants from the positions of power into which they had inhitrated tn preparation for the February conspiracy. These new' conditions will force enemies to resign from any open attempts to attack the Republic of the working people. The enemies will not be forced to lay down their arms. They will go over to new methods of attack, using violence or taking aevantage of transitory aimculties. The new law wil be one of the means of defending the peoples emocratic Republic.” The new, law provides that any attempt to suoveithe People’s Democratic System or the social or economic oasis of the Republic will be punishable as treason. This and other clauses will apply to foreigners, whether their misdemeanour is committed here or outside Czechoslovakia. as long as they are here and available for punishment. To slander the Republic is to commit a crime. The law' contains the -usual -provisions against espionage, but 'with the adition taht it is a crime under Czechoslovak law to spy against any ally of Czechoslovakia. Other provisions state: — (1) Spreading of false news apt to disquiet, the population especially in times of ordered preparation for defence is criminal. (2) Punishment awaits anyone who misuses the office Of Priest or similar religious function to influence political life. (3) Economic sabotage is coverea : n nrc/Vjfiions making ft criminal to fail'to fulfill or to evade sevice or diitffis or to spo’l or slow down the 'ulffiment of economic planning. (4) To dmrege the interests of the State -or slander an 'allied 'State, ins'de or outside Czechoslovakia, is treasonable. .... The new’ law, to be put ’irfto effect shortly, is of special interest to foreign * correspondents , working,../in Prague. Its 'far-reaching provision's, will, it is thought, make i.t .’-possible for the -Government to- -hedush 'anyone on the most general grounds, of

wrirmongc’-.-ing, slandering an allied State, spreading false inlormation, or Itr denti 0 a:; renorting. '. v provision covering the misuse of a.iestly office is of particular interest in ivew of the current argument between Church and State, in which Archbishop Josef Leran _is ctand.ng i’.rin on a Sishops’ decision *-o suspend anv Priests taking part in politics.