02 May 2016- Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Victoriano M. Lecaros hosted an Asian Ambassadors’ Luncheon at the Savoy Hotel in Prague on April 25. Mr. Jiří Dienstbier Jr., the Czech Government’s Minister for Human Rights, Equal Opportunities and Legislation was in also attendance as the guest of the Ambassador.

Minister Dienstbier, spoke about the role of his Ministry to take care of the human rights of every Czech, including the Roma minorities. Speaking about refugees, he said that Czechs must confront their fear and reject xenophobia. He pointed out the importance of the human rights of every single member of society and the importance of European solidarity.

He outlined the government’s project for refugees and cautioned about the xenophobic rhetoric that is being used by some politicians.

Minister Dienstbier is a popular politician in the Czech Republic after becoming the official Presidential candidate in January 2013 of the current ruling party, the Czech Social Democratic Party.  A Senator from Kladno, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Government´s Legislative Council in the Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka in 2014. His father, the late Jiří Dienstbier Sr. was the first non-communist Foreign Minister from 1989 to 1992 after 40 years of communist rule.

The Ambassadors’ Lunch was attended by Ambassadors from China, Korea, India, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia as well as the Charge d’ Affaires of Pakistan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Iran and Indonesia. END