Czech President Vetoes Drug Law Citing Human Rights Concerns

INTERNATIONAL March-April 1998

Czechoslovakian President Vaclav Havel vetoed legislation banning possession of drugs for personal use and sent it back to Parliament, citing human rights concerns. "The President reached the opinion that the law would lead to the prosecution of victims rather than culprits," said spokesperson Ladislav Spacek. Critics of the measure warned that it could lead to an increase in crime and drug prices and a decline in the willingness of drug addicts to seek treatment (Reuter, "Czech Republic: Drug Law Veto In Czech Republic," Evening Post (New Zealand), April 7, 1998).

President Vaclav Havel - Kancelar Prezidenta Republiky, Prague 1 - Hradcany 11908, Czech Republic.

Czech Embassy, Washington, DC - Peter Hrubec, Tel: (202) 274-9118, Fax: (202) 363-6308.

Czech Parliament - Web: <http://www.psp.cz>.