Last modified: 2002-09-14 by jarig bakker
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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