The ecological association Arnika criticizes the draft construction law

Prague - Members of the environmental organization Arnika protested today in front of the Ministry of Regional Development building at Old Town Square against the restriction of the ability to express opinions on the plans for large constructions. During the happening, an actor dressed as Minister Kamil Jankovský symbolically tore out citizens' tongues, silencing them.
     The Ministry presented the draft law that is set to be discussed by the government soon at a press conference today. Critics of the proposal organized the happening before the minister's presentation. According to Deputy Minister Miroslav Kalouse, the current legal regulation regarding the participation of civic associations in proceedings has not proven effective and has often been abused for obstruction. "That is why we have decided to significantly support the procedural differences between territorial and construction proceedings," Kalouse stated at the press conference.
     According to him, the role of the public in territorial proceedings should be strengthened; civic associations could also participate in proceedings in which they are not directly affected. On the other hand, in the context of construction proceedings, where the technological parameters of the construction are already being addressed, the Ministry believes that civic associations' participation would be "rather counterproductive." According to Kalouse, this is not a limitation of civil rights. The office reportedly approached the change because the discussed part of the law had been "most frequently abused for extortion and unnecessary obstruction."
     According to Lukáš Matějka from the Arnika association, the public will lose the ability to protect its interests due to the change in the rules. "People may be able to express their opinion, for example, on whether a factory has to be built in their village, but they would not be able to influence the way it operates, the organization of construction, and site transport, or the greening of the surroundings," he told journalists.
     After the approval of the amendment, according to Arnika, people would not be able to participate in construction proceedings through civic associations, in which large constructions such as highways, industrial plants, and incinerators are permitted. In the case of plans such as satellite towns, parking lots, and office complexes, the public would no longer be allowed to participate in any permitting processes under the construction law. The association claims that the Ministry is apparently paying heed to industrialists and developers.