Czech Republic Appoints First Children's Ombudsman: Martin Beneš
On March 6, 2026, the Czech Parliament elected Martin Beneš, a guardianship judge from Most, as the country's first Children's Ombudsman. The new independent office, dedicated to protecting children's rights, has been operational since July 2025.
A Historic Moment for Child Protection
On March 6, 2026, the Czech Parliament elected Martin Beneš as the first Children's Ombudsman in the country's history in a secret ballot. The guardianship judge from Most received 107 parliamentary votes—well above the required 83—defeating the other two candidates: Eva Petrová, chairwoman of the government's Committee on the Rights of the Child (29 votes), and former Minister for Legislation Michal Šalomoun (20 votes).
Interestingly, the Parliament's evaluation committee had recommended Eva Petrová as their top choice, but lawmakers decided otherwise, preferring Beneš's extensive experience directly from guardianship court practice. Beneš's nomination was supported by both President Petr Pavel and the Senate.
Who is Martin Beneš?
Martin Beneš has spent most of his professional career at the District Court in Most. He started in the commercial division, then became the court's chairman, and since 2016 has specialized in guardianship cases—that is, disputes over child custody, their representation, and protection from domestic violence. This direct experience with the daily reality of children at risk set him apart from the other candidates.
During a public hearing in Parliament, Beneš emphasized that the key to the office's success would be socio-legal protection of children—a combination of legal support and social work, rather than isolated legal advice.
What Will the New Office Bring?
The position of Children's Ombudsman was established by a law signed by President Pavel, which came into effect on July 1, 2025. Until Beneš's election, the office was temporarily led by Deputy Public Defender of Rights Vít Alexander Schorm. In just six months of operation, the office received 767 submissions, 75 of which came directly from children themselves. The most frequent topics were parental custody disputes (150 cases), education (100 cases), and care for at-risk children (60 cases).
The powers of the Children's Ombudsman are specific and strong:
- Investigating children's complaints about the actions of state authorities,
- Monitoring compliance with children's rights in facilities for children,
- Protecting children from discrimination,
- Intervening as a secondary party in guardianship and systemic court proceedings,
- Submitting recommendations to Parliament and state administration.
The office is located within the Office of the Public Defender of Rights, but both ombudsmen operate completely independently of each other and the government.
Why Did the Czech Republic Wait So Long?
Until this year, the Czech Republic was one of the last countries in the European Union without a specialized children's rights advocate. Discussions about its establishment have been ongoing in domestic politics for many years, repeatedly encountering disputes over the form and powers of the office. Comparable institutions operate in most European countries—Scandinavia has been a pioneer since the 1970s, and Poland introduced a Children's Ombudsman in 2000.
International organizations such as the UN and the Council of Europe have long called on member states to establish independent institutions for children's rights. The Czech Republic now joins the countries that meet this standard.
Challenges and Expectations
Martin Beneš takes office with a six-year mandate. He faces the task of building an office with its own professional background, establishing cooperation with bodies for socio-legal protection of children (OSPOD), courts, and the non-profit sector. The figures from the first months of the office's operation have clearly shown that there is real and urgent interest from the public—and especially from the children themselves.
The establishment of this institution also comes at a time when the Czech Republic banned corporal punishment of children by law in January 2026. The combination of legislative changes and a strong institutional framework creates a new framework for the protection of minors, which has long been awaited in the country.
