Confederation of Political Prisoners of the Czech Republic

The Confederation of Political Prisoners of the Czech Republic (KPV ČR) is a voluntary association of former political prisoners of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia and their family members. It also accepts associated members who are beneficial to its activities. Membership is restricted: former members of the Communist Party (KSČ/KSČM), members of the State Security (StB), Military Counterintelligence, People's Militia, and similar groups are excluded. The organization is the successor to Club K 231, a club of former political prisoners founded in 1968 but suppressed after the invasion of Czechoslovakia. The club's name referred to the "rubber law" 231/1948 – the Act for the Protection of the People's Democratic Republic (of 6 October 1948), under which many innocent citizens were sentenced. Since its founding, KPV ČR has advocated for full rehabilitation and material compensation for former non-communist political prisoners, defended the civil and social rights of former political prisoners and other members, published facts, documents, and testimonies about the crimes of the Communist Party, and actively opposed all forms of totalitarian regimes. The organization was established on 30 January 1990 at the Prague Exhibition Grounds by a congress of 5,000 former political prisoners, loosely continuing the activities of Club K231. The official date of establishment according to the register is 19 October 1990. KPV ČR played a significant role in the rehabilitation of unjustly convicted persons and in many cases secured material compensation for their suffering. Many members endured communist concentration camps during the totalitarian phase of the communist regime in the 1950s, as well as prisons during the normalization period in the 1970s. Conditions in the 1950s camps were initially liquidationist; alongside various methods of torture and humiliation notorious from German concentration camps, prisoners in Jáchymov were deliberately exposed to uranium ore without any protective equipment. KPV significantly supported the recognition of the third (anti-communist) resistance. Between 2015 and 2025, KPV ČR went through a period of internal discussions about its future direction, which gradually led to a statutory and material crisis. Eventually, the majority that wished to continue with the unchanged name and program prevailed and supported recruiting new members. The leadership elected in 2019, headed by Ing. Milena Blatná, managed to gradually stabilize the organization and secure its material basis. Since 2025, KPV ČR has been in a phase of renewed growth, thanks to amendments to the statutes and a more welcoming approach by the leadership, successfully recruiting new members and expanding its range of activities. The highest body of the organization is the assembly of members. The organization is led by a nine-member board (chairman Vilém Fránek, two vice-chairmen, and six other members), elected by the assembly for a two-year term. A three-member central audit commission oversees finances with the same term. Additionally, an honorary chairman is usually elected. Branches operate within KPV ČR; they do not have their own legal personality, but their member assemblies also elect bodies: a committee and an audit commission. The organization issues membership cards, badges, maintains the website www.kpv.cz and social networks, and publishes a printed magazine Zpravodaj. Members participate in a number of commemorative events related to the struggle for democracy in the Czech Republic, including "Jáchymovské peklo" on the third Saturday in May and "Muklovská pouť" on the first Saturday in September at Svatý Hostýn, care for monuments, and participate in discussions about the period 1948–1989.

The Confederation of Political Prisoners of the Czech Republic (KPV ČR) is the successor to Club K 231, a club of former political prisoners founded in 1968 but suppressed after the invasion of Czechoslovakia. The club's name referred to the "rubber law" 231/1948 – the Act for the Protection of the People's Democratic Republic (of 6 October 1948), under which many innocent citizens were sentenced. The organization was established on 30 January 1990 at the Prague Exhibition Grounds by a congress of 5,000 former political prisoners, loosely continuing the activities of Club K231. The official date of establishment according to the register is 19 October 1990. KPV ČR played a significant role in the rehabilitation of unjustly convicted persons and in many cases secured material compensation for their suffering. Many members endured communist concentration camps during the totalitarian phase of the communist regime in the 1950s, as well as prisons during the normalization period in the 1970s. Conditions in the 1950s camps were initially liquidationist; alongside various methods of torture and humiliation notorious from German concentration camps, prisoners in Jáchymov were deliberately exposed to uranium ore without any protective equipment. KPV significantly supported the recognition of the third (anti-communist) resistance. Between 2015 and 2025, KPV ČR went through a period of internal discussions about its future direction, which gradually led to a statutory and material crisis. Eventually, the majority that wished to continue with the unchanged name and program prevailed and supported recruiting new members. The leadership elected in 2019, headed by Ing. Milena Blatná, managed to gradually stabilize the organization and secure its material basis. Since 2025, KPV ČR has been in a phase of renewed growth, thanks to amendments to the statutes and a more welcoming approach by the leadership, successfully recruiting new members and expanding its range of activities. At the assembly on 22 November 2025, Ing. Milena Blatná did not run for chairwoman after serving since 2019, but remains active on the board and in the leadership of the Brno branch. JUDr. Vilém Fránek, long-time legal representative of KPV, became chairman. František Wiendl remained honorary chairman until his death on 26 June 2026.

• Club K 231, a club of former political prisoners, is founded; it is suppressed after the invasion of Czechoslovakia.

• Congress of 5,000 former political prisoners at the Prague Exhibition Grounds establishes KPV ČR.

• Official date of establishment according to the register.

• Milena Blatná elected chairwoman; leadership begins stabilizing the organization.

• Assembly elects Vilém Fránek as chairman; Milena Blatná remains on the board.

• Honorary chairman František Wiendl dies.

A non-profit, membership-based association dedicated to preserving the memory of political prisoners and advocating for justice and recognition.

• Membership cards

  Issued to members of the organization.

• Badges

  Issued to members of the organization.

• Zpravodaj (printed magazine)

  The organization's printed magazine.

1. 1Domů - Konfederace politických vězňů České republiky, z.s.kpv.cz
2. 2Konfederace politických vězňů České republiky - Wikipediecs.wikipedia.org
3. 3Confederation of Political Prisoners of the Czech Republic - Wikidatawikidata.org