A long way to the West - Helsinki Final Act and travelling of Czechoslovak citizens abroad
A long way to the West - Helsinki Final Act and travelling of Czechoslovak citizens abroad

Author(s): Jan Rychlík
Subject(s): Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Post-War period (1950 - 1989), History of Communism, Migration Studies
Published by: Ústav pro studium totalitních režimů
Keywords: Czechoslovakia; West; traveling abroad; migrations; Helsinki agreement; communist regime;
Summary/Abstract: After a brief period of open borders, barriers at border crossings were lowered again between 1968 and 1969. Travelling anywhere became difficult again, and journeys to the West almost impossible, at least for those whose “cadre profile” was not “up to the mark”. The change was to be brought by the Helsinki agreement, but despite the affixed signature of the Czechoslovak party and state officials, the practical consequences were negligible and those interested in travelling abroad went through an ordeal of official bullying, prohibitions and obstacles. This lasted until the fall of the Communist regime.

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