Protection of rights
Respect for human rights and public interest rights forms the foundation of the democratic rule of law. Masaryk University embraces the protection of rights in its Code of Ethics, measures for the implementation of HR Award and other documents. Masaryk University has set up processes to protect rights effectively, impartially and efficiently and to ensure support for as well as protection of whistleblowers and victims of infringement of these rights at Masaryk University.
Protection of rights at MU is governed by the MU Directive No. 1/2023 effective from 1 April 2023.
The university ombuds is JUDr. Eva Janovičová.
Submissions aimed at the protection of rights
Notification
A notification means a submission through which the reporting person addresses MU regarding infringement of their own or other person’s rights. This may include various situations, concerning for example:
- rights of MU employees ensuing from labour relations,
- rights of MU students (e.g. the right to study, the right to take exams, the right to a scholarship, the right to enrol, the right to register for courses),
- bullying (incl. mobbing and bossing),
- unequal treatment and discrimination,
- protection of personality (e.g. protection against unjustified interference with honour, dignity, reputation or privacy),
- sexual harassment,
- academic integrity,
- conflict of interest,
- other situations which are considered by the reporting person as interfering with their rights and affecting their study or work performance.
Notifications are received and processed by the ombuds.
The ombuds does not process requests for information or complaints under Act on Free Access to Information, submissions concerning the protection of personal data and complaints concerning elections to autonomous academic bodies of MU and individual faculties. The ombuds does not make decisions on rights and duties of MU staff and students.
A specific procedure shall apply to:
Notifications of sexual harassment
Notifications concerning sexual harassment are received by contact persons and processed by the ombuds.
More information: What is sexual harassment?
Notification pursuant to Act No. 171/2023 Coll., on the protection of whistleblowers.
Notifications on possible illegal activity, which has elements of a felony; a misdemeanour, for which the Act on the protection of whistleblowers sets the maximum fine rate of at least CZK 100,000; breaches the Act on the protection of whistleblowers or other legal regulation or an EU legislation governing the areas stipulated by § 2 section 1 letter d) of the Act on the protection of whistleblowers.
Notifications are received and processed by the ombuds.
More information: Filing notifications of EU law infringement (whistleblowing)
Complaint
A complaint means a submission through which the complainant seeks protection of their rights, and which clearly indicates who makes the submission, which matter it concerns and what is proposed. A complaint is also a submission against improper behaviour of officials or against the actions of an administrative body under the Administrative Procedure Code.
The ombuds does not process complaints. Complaints are dealt with and processed by a person in charge, who is the head of an MU organizational unit competent to decide in the subject matter of the submission.
In case the complaint is addressed to the ombuds, the ombuds shall refer it to a person in charge for further action.
Petition
A petition means a submission in the matters of public or another common interest which is related to the competence of MU and directed at MU in the area of state administration, which meets the requisites stipulated by Act on the Right to Petition.
Petitions are received by the ombuds and processed by a person in charge.
Recommended content of a notification
- identification of the reporting person including their contact details
- description of the situation that is the subject of the notification
- persons who have been informed of the matter
- action taken so far
- desired way of solution
The notification may be anonymized. An anonymous submission shall only be processed in case its content evidences a serious infringement of rights related to the competence of MU.
How to contact the ombuds
- by email at: ochrance@muni.cz
- by an online form on this page
- in person through a pre-arranged consultation with the ombuds
- through the MU databox ID 9tmj9e4
- through the central or digital mailroom of MU – you will find more information here
- by mail at the address of MU “For the attention of the ombuds” – you will find more information here
How the ombuds acts
- after the ombuds receives a notification, he/she will get in touch with the reporting person and finds out more details about the situation and about the notifier’s idea of further steps,
- depending on the nature of the notification, the ombuds will consider next action and consult it with the reporting person; this may include addressing people who are involved in the matter, arranging a meeting between the ombuds and those people; searching for information and seeking possible resolution including legal steps; mediating a meeting between the parties to the conflict; contacting the roles at MU who are in charge (e.g. head of the department, dean),
- Where the content of the submission and nature of the rights affected make it possible, the ombuds processes the notification amicably using mediation,
- in case the notification does not fall within the scope of the ombuds, the reporting person will be notified and advised on how to proceed.
Rights protection principles
Assistance
The ombuds should ensure that persons at MU who believe that their own or other people’s rights were infringed can get in touch with the ombuds and ask for help.
Protection of reporting persons / whistleblowers
Depending on the content of the notification and nature of the rights affected, the ombuds will ensure that the rights of the reporting person are adequately protected.
Protection of the person against whom the notification is directed
The ombuds will also ensure an adequate protection of rights of the person against whom the notification is directed.
Impartiality and independence
The ombuds is not subordinated to anyone, is not bound by any instructions and acts impartially and objectively when addressing the matter concerned.
Confidentiality
The ombuds treats information obtained from reporting persons as sensitive data that are subject to special protection; he/she shall not disclose such information without a consent by the reporting person. All other persons involved in the resolution of the matter are bound by the obligation of confidentiality. Information concerning the incident shall be stored as confidential.
Electronic form
Professional profile of JUDr. Eva Janovičová
Eva Janovičová is a graduate of the Faculty of Law, Palacký University Olomouc. She obtained the academic degree of JUDr. at Masaryk University. She has been working in advocacy for fourteen years, specializing in civil, commercial and labour law. In her work, she has dealt with litigation as well as cases of out-of-court settlement.
Other information about rights protection at MU
- Information on MU Processing and Protection of Personal Data | Masaryk University (muni.cz)
- Gender Equality Plan (muni.cz)
- HR Award | Masaryk University (muni.cz)
- MU Academic and Professional Employee Code of Ethics | Masaryk University (muni.cz)
- Plagiarism | Masaryk University (muni.cz)
- Ethics at MU | Masaryk University (muni.cz)