Why the Beneš Decrees Still Matter

The Beneš Decrees are not merely a historical term – they are words that still trigger emotions, defensive reflexes, and deeply rooted family pain. This time, we will approach them as a subject that calls for precision, perspective, and human measure. Above all, it calls for speakers who resist simplification.

The debate will be led by Ivana Svobodová, reporter for the weekly Respekt, who is accustomed to tracing the impact of politics in concrete human lives. Jindřich Šídlo, commentator for Seznam Zprávy and co-creator of the satirical programme Šťastné pondělí, will bring his sharp eye for moments when sensitive issues are reduced to political shorthand. Pavel Hošek, professor at the Protestant Theological Faculty of Charles University, will contribute a perspective shaped by work with memory, ethics, and the ways in which societies narrate their own histories.

Together, we will ask: Why do the Beneš Decrees continue to return to public debate more than 75 years later? Are they a closed chapter, or do they remain a living legal and moral issue? How is Czech society’s view of the post-war period evolving? And what role do media and politicians play in reopening the topic?

Organised in cooperation with the Faculty of Law of Masaryk University.