Brno - Ombusdman (public defender of rights) Otakar Motejl has criticized the way the Czech Republic is presenting itself to foreigners, many of whom experience corruption when first coming into contact with Czech authorities.

According to Motejl, bribery during the application process for visas and long-term permanent residency is common-place. The situation at Prague's foreign police inspectorate and at consulates in Ukraine, Russia and Vietnam is practically intolerable.

Mafia structures have a hand in transactions related to visas and permanent residency permits.

Motejl has challenged the Czech Foreign and Interior Ministries to provide an immediate solution to the problem.

"We are talking about places where foreigners have their first experience with the Czech authorities. The country should present the culture of a three-star hotel here and not a dormitory," said the ombudsman.

Mafia trafficking in waiting line numbers

The ombudsman began receiving complaints about the issuing of permanent residence permits at the foreign police as far back as five years ago. The situation improved when the inspectorate moved to a larger, more modern building on Koněvova Street.

However, the number of permanent and long-term foreign residents in the Czech Republic has doubled in the last three years and the capacity of the inspectorate's facility is no longer sufficient.

"The situation is again bordering on crisis. Police are now needed on location to maintain order," asserted Motejl.

According to him, the system of issuing numbers has completely collapsed. The majority of numbers are taken by early morning. "Dubious people are active in the office and are offering waiting line numbers for sale," he said.

"Decent people, who believe they have the right to visit the office without having to pay repeatedly come in and then leave without assistance because their number was never called," added the ombudsman.

Consulates not advising foreigners

The situation is similar at Czech consulates in countries where foreigners must apply for visas. A variety of illicit middlemen create a situation where consulates are unable to provide visa applicants with necessary information or details on how to continue with an application.

"The processing of long-term visas is demanding both in terms of time and money. It is set up in such a way that various individuals and groups can sponge off of the system. The middlemen will process a visa following a bribe to officials," said Pavel Pořízek of the Ombudsman´s Office detailing the current situation at some consulates.

According to Pořízek, the solution lies in the complete, unified and regular updating of consulates' internet pages. Several consulates currently have either no functioning website or no website at all.

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