WUNRN
Presidential candidates Karel Schwarzenberg
(left) and Milo Zeman (right) appearing on the Czech Television program
"Václav Moravec's Questions" (Otázky Václava Moravce). (PHOTO: Czech
Television)
23.1.2013 (ROMEA) The Czech Women's Lobby (Česká enská lobby) wants presidential candidate Milo Zeman to apologize for his recent remarks about rape as an evolutionary advantage. Zeman launched his bonmot during a televised debate last Friday when explaining to his opponent, the aristocrat Karel Schwarzenberg, why the nobility has degenerated. According to the Czech Women's Lobby, whose director, Jana Smiggels Kavková, has sent an open letter to Zeman, such remarks are insulting to all women.
"Do you
know what the difference was between royalty and a country gentleman (zeman)? Royalty had the droit de signeur (right of
first night) and degenerated because they did not have to rape their serfs,
they didn't have to expend any energy in order to rape then. We country
gentlemen (zemani)
had to fight hard for our rights, and not only in the sexual arena, which is
why we have not degenerated," Zeman said during Friday's debate on the
Prima Family television channel.
The
association of organizations involved in women's rights considers this remark
to be completely inexcusable, unacceptable, and far beyond the borders of good
taste. "Disparaging the victims of rape and other forms of violence
against women is unfortunately common in our society, and it survives thanks to
would-be joking remarks like yours. When spoken during a televised debate, your
remarks impact many viewers, female and male," the women's association has
written to Zeman.
The
organization is calling for an apology. "This is an offense against all
women, and not only them. You yourself are a father and husband, so respect for
women should be in your interest," the representative of the Czech Women's
Lobby has written in her appeal.
This was not
the first such remark to have left the lips of a presidential candidate during
the electoral campaign in the
Czech Press Agency,
ryz, translated by Gwendolyn Albert