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Law about the Czech national symbols

Law about the Czech national symbols

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Law about the Czech national symbols

Act of the Czech National Council No. 68/1990 of March 13, 1990

Concerning the Use of the State Coat of Arms, the National Flag and Other State Symbols of the Czech Republic

The Czech National Council has passed the following Act:

Section 4

(1) The State Coat of Arms may be used by:
           (a) the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament, the Senate of the Parliament and the Office of the legislative body,
           (b) the President of the Republic and the Office of the President of the Republic,
           (c) the Government and the Office of the Government,
           (d) Ministries and other administrative organs of the Czech Republic,
           (e) superior territorial administration divisions, the capital of Prague and its metropolitan districts, towns,
           municipalities and territorially divided statutory municipalities and their municipal divisions or municipal districts,
           (f) courts, state attorney offices, notaries,
           (g) the armed forces and security corps,
           (h) diplomatic missions and consulates of the Czech Republic.

(2) The State Coat of Arms of the Czech Republic may also be used by state museums, galleries and other state cultural and scientific institutions, schools, the Czech National Bank and other organs and organizations, if so stipulated by a special regulation.

(3) The State Coat of Arms may be also used in an appropriate and dignified manner by individual citizens, political parties and civic associations.

(4) The State Coat of Arms may be displayed on banknotes and coins of the Czech Republic.

Section 2

(1) The Great State Coat of Arms of the Czech Republic shall be shown:
           (a) on important documents of the Parliament, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, of the President of the
           Republic and of the Government,
           (b) on the insignia of mayors and lord mayors of the towns and municipalities referred to in Section 1, par.1,
           subpar.(e), and of representatives of superior territorial administrative divisions, if so stipulated by a special Act,
           (c) in rooms where the organs referred to in Section 1, par.1, hold their sessions and deliberations, in particular in
           ceremonial halls, courtrooms and in election rooms,
           (d) on official uniforms worn by the personnel of the organs referred to in Section 1, par.1, or by members of the
           armed corps of the Czech Republic, within a scope and in a manner stipulated by a special regulation,
           (e) on the frontiers of the Czech Republic,
           (f) deleted as of the 1st of June, 1992,
           (g) on personal and official credentials issued by state organs of the Czech Republic,
           (h) on securities and other valuables issued by the Czech Republic.

(2) The Great State Coat of Arms shall be also used to mark buildings housing the organs, organizations and institutions referred to in Section 1. The State Coat of Arms thus used shall not be combined with the sign stating the name of the organ or organization concerned.

(3) The Great State Coat of Arms of the Czech Republic shall also be considered as such in its single colour facsimile fashioned from metal, stone, glass, ceramics or other material, if such facsimile corresponds to the true image of the State Coat of Arms of the Czech Republic.

Section 3

(1) The Small Coat of Arms of the Czech Republic shall be used by the organs and organizations referred to in Section 1, pars.1 and 2, on their documents, seals and official stamps.

(2) The Small State Coat of Arms shall be depicted on a seal or official stamp within a circle on the circumference whereof shall be placed a brief designation of the organ using the seal or stamp and its site.

(3) Documents, seals and official stamps carrying the Small Coat of Arms of the Czech Republic shall be used only when the document concerned contains a resolution or decision of a state organ of the Czech Republic, or when the document authenticates important facts or stipulates rights or obligations.

(4) Documents, seals and official stamps carrying the Small Coat of Arms of the Czech Republic shall not be used for normal correspondence.

Section 4

(1) The national flag of the Czech Republic shall be flown on national holidays and other festive occasions on buildings housing the organs and organizations referred to in Section 1, par. 1.

(2) The national flag may also be displayed in an appropriate and dignified manner by individual citizens, political parties and civic associations.

(3) When other flags are also displayed, the national flag of the Czech Republic shall be displayed at the most prominent place of honour.

(4) Instructions to display the national flag of the Czech Republic in the cases referred to in paragraph 1 shall be issued to state organs of the Czech Republic by:
(a) the Ministry of the Interior on official occasions of national significance,
(b) organs of towns or their parts on official occasions of local significance.

(5) Save where a special Act stipulates differently, the decision to display national flags on Parliament buildings shall be made by the Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies.

Section 4a

The standard of the President of the Republic may be used to designate:
(a) the official residence of the President of the Republic during his presence in the Czech Republic,
(b) the means of transport used by the President of the Republic on official occasions.

Section 4b

The State Seal of the Czech Republic may be used:
           (a) for sealing international treaties,
           (b) on credentials of diplomatic envoys,
           (c) in other cases so stipulated by law, an international treaty, or custom.

Section 4c

(1) The National Anthem of the Czech Republic may be played and sung on the occasion of national holidays, on commemorative days and days of special significance, and on other official and solemn occasions, or when it is customary.

(2) The National Anthem may be played and sung together, or may be only played or only sung.

Section 4d

Any use of the state symbols of the Czech Republic, which would show disrespect for these symbols shall be prohibited.

Section 5

The Minister of the Interior of the Czech Republic shall set by Ordinance detailed provisions governing the use of the state symbols of the Czech Republic, in particular:
           (a) in which cases, in what manner and on which documents the State Coat of Arms of the Czech Republic is
           used,
           (b) in which cases and in what manner a banner may be used in place of the national flag of the Czech Republic.

Section 5a

The Government may institute by Decree interim measures for the gradual replacement of the State Coat of Arms of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic by the State Coat of Arms of the Czech Republic.

Section 5b

Detailed provisions governing the use of the State Coat of Arms of the Czech Republic in the Army of the Czech Republic shall be set by the President of the Republic.

Section 6

This Act shall enter into effect on the day of its promulgation.

Source: Parliament of the Czech Republic's homepage.
Santiago Dotor, 9 Sep 2002