The Czech Ministry of the Interior has failed to establish a functional protection system for soft targets like schools and hospitals, according to the Supreme Audit Office.
According to the news release from the Supreme Audit Office (NKÚ), the Czech Ministry of the Interior has failed to create a functional system to protect soft targets such as schools, shopping centers, cultural centers, and hospitals, despite expectations set out in a protection concept for 2017-2020. The audit revealed that the Ministry had only fulfilled two of the four pillars necessary for the system's establishment and had neglected its role in coordinating efforts, which are crucial for ensuring safety in these areas.
The NKÚ highlighted that the Ministry of the Interior did not develop a follow-up concept for the next period and even reduced support for soft target protection in 2021. Increased attention to the issue only arose after a tragic shooting at Charles University in December 2023, where 14 people were murdered, and 25 others were injured, prompting calls for improved security measures in educational institutions and other public spaces.
The Supreme Audit Office's findings show serious gaps in the Ministry's commitment to protecting vulnerable areas, particularly in funding and coordination, which have resulted in inadequate safety measures and a lack of comprehensive plans. The response from the Ministry of the Interior to the report is currently being sought, as public pressure mounts for a reassessment of strategies surrounding the protection of soft targets in the Czech Republic.
