Czech Republic: Information on the environmental group "Children of the Earth"
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 13 September 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CZE39894.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Czech Republic: Information on the environmental group "Children of the Earth", 13 September 2002, CZE39894.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4d8a23.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Children of the Earth (COE) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that was established in 1989 in the Czech Republic (COE 21 Apr. 2000). The branch offices and clubs of the organization operate in 13 cities and towns, with independent activists working outside these cities and towns (ibid.). The mission of COE is "to stop a negative human influence on the environment and to strengthen [the] ecological consciousness in the society" (ibid.). COE accomplishes this through the following:
commenting on new laws concerning the environment;
opposing projects that would damage the environment;
seeking and enforcing alternative solutions to these projects;
taking care of rare natural ecosystems and endangered flora and fauna species;
providing ecological education to children and teenagers;
informing the public through lectures, exhibitions and the media;
issuing publications and organizing cultural events, and
passing on the organization's experience to newly established associations and initiatives, as well as to individual citizens (ibid.).
The activities of the COE concentrate around the following topics:
The "'For Preservation of Nature on the Earth' section moves against economic activities that damage natural ecosystems invincibly, reduce ecological stability of the landscape, or cause diversity of species in preserved areas [to] impoverish" (ibid.).
The "'For Clean Soil, Air, and Water' section deals with the issue of industrial pollution of the environment and waste economy, and comments [on] laws being prepared in this field, especially the law on citizens' right to be informed about the environment" (ibid.).
The "'For Environmentally Clean Transport' section proposes ecologically more considerate kinds of transport and offers alternative solutions to transport projects that influence the environment in cities as well as in the country" (ibid.).
"In Prague a 'Centre for Support of Citizens' operates. Its mission is to provide experience which Children of the Earth has obtained in the field of legislati[on]. It helps especially the people who have decided to take an active part in decisions on the environment in the area [where] they live" (ibid.).
The "'Eco-education' section informs the public and prepares education programs for children as well as adults" (ibid.).
Information on the number of COE members could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
Information on the Czech government's views of, and relations with, COE could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, one recent news article reported that the opposition Civic Democratic Party (ODS) announced that "it was necessary to limit environmentalist organisations' rights as well as the subsidies they receive from the state budget" (CTK 20 Mar. 2002).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Children of the Earth. 21 April 2000. "Introduction." (Google cache) Czech News Agnecy (CTK). 20 March 2002. "ODS Insists Activists Must be Ousted for Sake of Freedom - Press." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Children of the Earth did not reply to a letter requesting information within time constraints.
The Embassy of the Czech Republic did not reply to a letter requesting information within time constraints.
Internet sites including:
Amnesty International. BBC. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. US Department of State. For Mother Earth: International Campaign for Disarmament, Ecology and Human Rights. Human Rights Watch. The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe. World News. WNC.
Search engine:
Google.