Statements of Charles University on the shooting at the Faculty of Arts of Charles U ****************************************************************************************** * ****************************************************************************************** ****************************************************************************************** * Recent statement ****************************************************************************************** *========================================================================================= * Summary of the current situation as of 19 January 2024 related to the tragic event at th at Charles University *========================================================================================= The management of Charles University and the management of the Faculty of Arts thank every support so far and summarise the current situation in the area of financial and psychosoci in the area of improving security in the buildings of Charles University and in the area o Faculty of Arts building on Palach Square back to academic life. Although the management of Charles University and the management of the Faculty of Arts of University do not have an official list of injured individuals (or their relatives) availa Police of the Czech Republic (PČR) or other components of the integrated rescue system (IZ to map a wide range of the injured parties. We are in contact with those who suffered inju relatives who have expressed interest and whose health condition allows it. We consider it to emphasise that in the public space, the management of CU and the management of the Facu regularly invite the families of the injured and the survivors to contact the university a of Arts - if it is in their power - at the toll-free information line at +420 800 100 790. welcome any assistance that is and will be provided to the injured in parallel with the as The Foundation Fund, which immediately after the tragic event announced a collection to su and the families of the students and teachers killed, started providing the first part of for the survivors in the first week of January. At the same time, the next phase is curren namely the provision of rapid financial assistance for the injured. This process is ongoin understandably still be implemented in the coming days. Thus, aid has already gone or is g only to the survivors but also to the injured with whom CU and the Fund are in contact. Th Fund Board of Trustees is responding very promptly and will usually disburse the first wav support within 48 hours of coming into contact with those affected. A large part of the en distributed in a second wave of assistance based on mapping the needs of individuals, whic the same time, CU, in cooperation with the various components of the IZS, is preparing to psychosocial assistance. In recent weeks, CU management has worked intensively on refining the university's securit specific measures in response to the tragic event, and this week approved an updated inter for 2024 and 2025. In cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, it is also developing a l plan aimed at building the overall institutional resilience of all CU buildings. The refin security strategy includes, but is not limited to, the following specific steps: a) enhanc to respond appropriately in crisis situations, b) implementing an effective warning system for rapid dissemination of information, c) possible modifications to buildings to enhance focusing in particular on lockdown procedures and the preparation of crisis packages, d) i incident coordination, and e) expanding psychological counselling support. CU is working to restore academic life at the Faculty of Arts as soon as possible, includi restoration of teaching in its main building on Palach Square. A methodological material R in Czech, English and Czech sign language has been prepared for teachers with recommendati conduct communication and interaction with students after the tragedy. Three webinars on t methodological materials were held (in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior of th and IZS units), which have been attended by approximately 950 teachers. Psychological supp of group and individual consultations was provided to more than 2000 people at CU (more th through group work, more than 200 people through individual consultations, more than 700 p chat). We consider the help of psychologists and interventionists of the Ministry of Inter Republic, IZS and partner organisations to be very important, as they provide crisis inter professional treatment of traumatic experiences immediately after the event and until the full cooperation with the central crisis staff of CU. Further information on the study and organisation of the summer semester at the Faculty of University is now available. You can find a summary of them here: https://www.ff.cuni.cz/2024/01/obnova-akademickeho-zivota-na-fakulte-ii/ [ URL "https:// www.ff.cuni.cz/2024/01/obnova-akademickeho-zivota-na-fakulte-ii/"] The return of personal belongings from the main Faculty of Arts building is currently more complete. Picking up personal belongings will be possible throughout February, every Tuesd to 6.00 p.m. and every Thursday from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. at CU POINT, Celetná 13, Prag On Sunday, 21 January 2024, the main building of the Faculty of Arts at Palach Square will reopening" as a dignified framework for commemorating the one-month anniversary of the tra 21 December 2023. As part of the event, interested members of the academic community of th Arts will be allowed to return to their home premises in the main building on a partial an basis. Psychological support from the IZS and students of the Department of Psychology at Association) will also be available on site. The programme will also take place outside th building, not only at Jan Palach Square, but also in the premises of UMPRUM (processing of candles left at the memorial site at the Carolinum) and at the main building of the Facult detailed information can be found here (see in English below information in Czech) : https://www.ff.cuni.cz/2024/01/pootevreni-fakulty-21-1-2024/. [ URL "https://www.ff.cuni.c pootevreni-fakulty-21-1-2024/."] In parallel with all the above-mentioned events, the "Four weeks for the Faculty of Arts" running and will continue, the aim of which is to restore contact between students and sta of Arts of Charles University during the closure of the main building. Information can be some events highlighted in Czech and others in English) https://mesicprofakultu.ff.cuni.cz/ [ URL "https://mesicprofakultu.ff.cuni.cz/"] . The management of Charles University and the Faculty of Arts of Charles University are doi to renew academic life at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University and stand by the earli the Rector of Charles University, Prof. Milena Králíčková, that our academic community ent hurt but not broken. ****************************************************************************************** * Archive of earlier statements ****************************************************************************************** CU releases information on the timeline of events on 21. 12. 2023(9. 1. 2024) The management of Charles University (CU) and the management of the CU Faculty of Arts wou express its gratitude to the Police Force of the Czech Republic for its intervention durin brutal attack on the CU Faculty of Arts on December 21, 2023. It is beyond doubt that the the main building of the faculty on Jan Palach Square pre-vented a greater loss of life. W thank all units of the emergen-cy services for saving lives. The management of Charles Uni Faculty of Arts would also like to thank everyone involved for the emergen-cy assistance a and social assistance provided. In connection with today’s press conference at the Presidium of the Police Force of the Cz with questions submitted by the media, the Charles University Central Crisis Staff (CU CCS its record of the sequence of important events during the afternoon and evening of Decembe • Sequence of important events during the intervention of the Police Force of the Czech Republic at the Carolinum on 21 December 2023 (pdf) [ URL "UKEN-1913-version1- sequence_of_important_events_during_the_intervention_of_the_police_force_of_the_.pdf"] • Timeline of events before and during the attack on the Faculty of Arts of Charles University (pdf) [ URL "UKEN-1913-version1- timeline_of_events_before_and_during_the_attack_on_the_faculty_of_arts_of_charle.pdf"] CU Central Crisis Staff Prague, January 9, 2024 Checked by: Václav Hájek, CU Press Officer Charles University enters the New Year with head held high(04. 01. 2024, 18.30) The management of Charles University (CU) and the Faculty of Arts of Charles University he latest summary of the situation and coming steps over the course of January. Main building The main building of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University on Jan Palach Square will r until at least the end of January 2024. The reasons are mainly technical condition of the the tragedy, including the police intervention to secure the site. There was damage to equ destruction of more than 130 doors and there is a need to secure administrative materials documents. This means it is not yet possible to resume normal operations. Many repairs als specific technical approach. The management of the Faculty of Arts, in cooperation with CU already initiated the necessary repairs or preparations to commission major repairs. A gra re-opening of the building is expected with the start of the spring semester. Classes Classes at the Faculty of Arts are cancelled until the end of the fall semester, i.e. Janu The spring semester at the faculty will start according to the original schedule of the ac February 19, 2024. It is possible that some classes will be partially (especially initiall individual or online meetings. However, it is envisaged that teaching will be distributed semester to all buildings used by the Faculty of Arts, including the main building. Here, be phased according to the accessibility of the spaces undergoing renovation. The exceptio floor of the main building, which is likely to remain closed for the entire spring semeste this floor is planned for the beginning of the new academic year 2024/2025. A permanent me considered for this floor. The Faculty of Arts will be accommodating to students in fulfilling their study obligation terms of deadlines for fulfilling study obligations, who will also be able to use individu Specific information will be provided to students by the lecturers and/or the management o department of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University. Security, now and into the future Charles University did not and does not take security conditions lightly. In 2020, a secur launched covering a total of 189 buildings belonging to the university - i.e. its facultie canteens and other university buildings. This was completed in 2022. Appropriate individua were gradually implemented, but wider and faster implementation was - and is - entirely de available funding. For universities (as opposed to regional education), there was and is n to the protection of soft targets. Nevertheless, CU will try to implement other appropriat in 2024, within the limits of possibility, e.g. an expansion of the early warning system, training on behaviour of persons in crisis situations, strengthening of the central securi of staffing in buildings or deepening cooperation with the emergency services and other or especially in the field of security. Helpline From 5 January 2024, the so-called CU Security Department line at +420 771 275 564 has als strengthened in case of possible incidents. Counselling services In addition to the existing offer of professional psychological and spiritual assistance, services - Centrum Carolina [ URL "https://centrumcarolina.cuni.cz/CCENG-33.html"] ,  the of Charles University is introducing, after consultation with experts, so-called pedagogic instruction for employees (i.e. teachers and other staff) who are and will be in regular c students. The briefing will provide guidelines for handling situations during meetings or etc., and will take place on Friday, 5 January, 2024 and Monday, 8 January, 2024 online. F for the briefing or follow-up training will be announced by the faculty as required. The m Faculty of Arts, in cooperation with the heads of departments and institutes, announces th every effort to ensure that lecturers are in regular contact with their learners and are a beyond the centrally circulated information. Crisis line to be replaced by CU Point Information Line The crisis line of the CU Central Staff will be replaced by the so-called CU Point Informa January 2024.The +420 800 100 790 telephone number will not only offer extensive support t working day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but will also answer questions about the issue of perso left in the main building of the Faculty of Arts. Outside these hours, it will of course b leave a message on this line. The picking-up of personal belongings will take place throug 2024 every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at CU P Prague 1 (specifically on 4 January; 9 January; 11 January; 16 January; 18 January; 23 Jan and 30 January 2024). We kindly ask all those who did not find their personal belongings a point complete or at all to contact the Czech Police Crisis Line directly: +420 974 823 15 your understanding. From 5 January 2024, the Faculty of Arts of Charles University will also launch an informa address info@ff.cuni.cz for questions and suggestions. Continuing support As of 4 January 2024, the UK Endowment Fund and the Znesnáze collection had received finan CZK 73 million. These funds will be distributed in several phases. The first phase, so-cal support, is already currently being directed to help the families of the victims and survi University is also in contact with most of the families of the injured, whom the universit help. CU understandably envisages that the financial support in both cases will be longer part of the support will be directed towards psychological and therapeutic assistance. The return of academic life and the restoration of Jan Palach Square as the home of the Fa is an essential part of the process of reconciliation with the tragic event. The launch wa commemorative procession from the memorial site at the Carolinum to the main building of t Arts. A commemorative flame was also lit on Jan Palach Square, which will stay lit through January. On 5 January 2024 at 10 a.m., candles and other objects will be removed from the current m front of the Carolinum building. The plan is to use the items to create a new memorial, a developed as part of the Month for the Faculty activities. The Month for the Faculty initi include a commemoration of the first month since the tragic events of 12/21/2023. We are hurt, but we are not broken. We give thanks that members of the academic community new year with heads held high. The management of Charles University and the management of the Faculty of Arts of Charles (Prague, January 4. 2024, 18.30) The University grieves and continues to provide assistance and support(23. 12. 2023, 17.00 The management of Charles University (CU) and the Faculty of Arts (FF UK) summarize the si procedures to which the university has resorted in recent hours. The main building of the UK Faculty of Arts is secure at the moment but remains closed unt for obvious reasons. We will keep you informed about the further procedure and also remind management of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University has announced a dean's leave until inclusive. Personal belongings that were left in the building in an appropriate condition after Thurs being released at the Faculty of Law of the Charles University at Náměstí Curieových 7 (Pr cooperation we are grateful. The next drop-off date for personal belongings will take plac December 27, 2023 between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m., again at the PF UK building. We would also l Czech Red Cross, who, in agreement with the CU crisis staff, under the supervision of secu and technicians, arranged for the sorting of items and their transport to the PF UK during A number of volunteers participated in the whole event, and many thanks are due to the man and the Faculty of Arts of the CU. The University is still calling on everyone if they feel any need for psychological help t it is offered not only by the CU (information can be found here [ URL "https://centrumcaro CCENG-33.html"] ), but also by the free crisis line of the Police of the Czech Republic: + Please do not hesitate to ask for help. Although the UK management (the UK Central Crisis Staff) has received a number of urgings to publish the list of names of the victims of Thursday's tragic shooting, it hereby decla not publish the names, especially for reasons of remembrance. This is not only an agreemen Police, but also to protect the personal data of the victims. Charles University is grateful for the support and cohesion of the entire university commu words of comfort from the general public that have come not only from the Czech Republic b over the world. We are also grateful for the financial support that comes from hundreds of CU Endowment Fund, which currently totals more than CZK 30 million. The UK will decide and inform about the specific steps of spending the Endowment Fund (for obvious reasons only a of 2024). The management of Charles University welcomes the opening of debates on the strategy of se universities and is ready to actively participate in it, as well as the convening of a mee with the Minister of the Ministry of Education, representatives of the Ministry of the Int Czech Republic and the Czech Police, where the aim will (hopefully) be the creation of a j ensure the security of universities and standards of security in buildings. We greatly appreciate and thank all those who are doing their part to help resolve the sit ways to cope with the current situation. We would like to thank all the volunteers, all th from the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Arts, the Rector's Office, students of the Facult other faculties, as well as all the people who help selflessly and willingly with good wil helps us all to cope with this terrible tragedy. The management of the University, together with the management of the Faculty of Arts, rei unceasing regret and sorrow for the lives lost and for the losses that have been indelibly souls of us all. We extend our heartfelt condolences to all the survivors, families and fr victims. Charles University will continue to provide organizational, material and psychological sup in need in the coming days, while at the same time striving to ensure a peaceful return to those affected. Charles University and our society will never again be the same as we knew tragic afternoon of December 21, 2023. Our thoughts are with you all in these difficult Christmas times marked by pain and loss. Thank you for being with us during this difficult time. CU Central Crisis Staff (Prague, December 23, 2023, 17.00) Charles University informs about the current situation and thanks for the expressions of s 2023, 14.30) Charles University held a memorial service today (December 22) in front of the main entran Carolinum building at Ovocný trh in Prague, honoring the victims of the shooting at the Fa Charles University. Charles University's leadership including rector Milena Králíčková, de of Arts Eva Lehečková, the leadership of the Faculty of Philosophy, and representatives of Rectors' Conference, laid wreaths at the memorial site. Many other public figures particip memorial service, including the Prime Minister Petr Fiala, ministers of the Czech governme members of the academic community, and the general public. Charles University has not yet been officially informed by the Czech Police about the iden victims. Therefore, the university's leadership cannot communicate this information to the the Faculty of Arts. However, the university is understandably in contact with the relevan The families of the deceased and the injured have already been contacted by the Czech Poli injured are in a stable condition, with one person currently in serious condition. Since last night, Charles University has been actively cooperating in analyzing the situat soft target protection expert Zdeněk Kalvach. Soft targets refer to places with a high con people and, by nature, usually difficult to secure. These places are vulnerable to unexpec attacks, such as the one faced by innocents at the Faculty of Arts, on Thursday, December afternoon. Currently, the building of the Faculty of Arts remains inaccessible. The police have hande over to the university, but so far, only security staff and technicians who are assessing condition and damage have been allowed in. Personal belongings are currently not permitted from the building. As soon as there is a change in this matter, and it becomes possible to Charles University will inform everyone immediately. Thank you for your understanding. The leadership of the Faculty of Arts has declared a dean's holiday until January 2, 2024. The Charles University Endowment Fund [ URL "https://nf.cuni.cz/NFNEN-14.html"] has launch to support the families of the victims and also faculty, staff, and students affected by t the Faculty of Arts. Charles University greatly appreciates the support that victims recei and foreign institutions, companies, and individuals through the Endowment Fund. The fund' currently exceeds 16 million CZK (over $700 000), with more contributions promised. The us will be coordinated with the leadership of the Faculty of Arts. Thank you all! On Friday, December 22, 2023, at 19:30, an ecumenical service [ URL "https://www.farnostsa clanek/3307/tesit-bolest-nadeji---modlitba-za-obeti-a-pozustale"] for the victims of the s Faculty of Arts of the Charles University will take place in the Church of the Holy Salvat 4) in Prague and will be led by Msgr. prof. Tomáš Halík. On Saturday, December 23, 2023, a a requiem [ URL "https://apha.cz/novinky/mse-za-obeti-zla/"]  for the victims of the shoot Vitus Cathedral will be held. The event is organized by the Prague Archbishopric and the P Saturday, December 23, 2023, at 15:00, an ecumenical prayer will take place in the church ve zdi (Martinská 8, Prague) to hold a moment of silence [ URL "https://e-cirkev.cz/aktual obeti-utoku-na-ff-uk/"]  for the victims of the shooting at the Faculty of Arts of the Cha The leadership of Charles University and the Faculty of Arts are currently addressing a la suggestions and inquiries related to the situation. Even with enormous efforts to respond reactions cannot be guaranteed at this time. We kindly ask everyone, especially the media, to approach the topic of death and the famil deceased with sensitivity and to give them the necessary peace in which they can mourn. Th We keep the families of the deceased and injured in our thoughts. Leadership of Charles University and the Faculty of Arts (Prague, December 22, 2023, 14..30) Statement of Rector of Charles University and Dean of the Faculty of Arts of Charles Unive shooting at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University(21. 12. 2023, 23.00; updated 22. 12. Dear colleagues, dear students, In connection with the tragic events that took place at the Faculty of Arts of Charles Uni December 21, 2023, in which lives were lost and many people were badly injured, we, togeth management of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, express our deepest condolences t bereaved families who lost loved ones. Our thoughts are equally with those who are now fig in hospital and their families. We would also like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to all those contributed to preventing a more significant loss of life, to the components of the integr system, and to all the medical and paramedics who are now caring for our injured in hospit As tragic as the attack on Thursday was and as terrible a shock it is, it is important to there is no evidence that it was of ethnic or racial origin. We are aware that this extreme and dire situation has severely affected not only the entir community of Charles University but the broader public and also shocked many people abroad Charles University is now offering all of its students and staff an extended spectrum of s form of psychological assistance [ URL "https://centrumcarolina.cuni.cz/CCENG-33.html"] at centers and outside of Charles University [ URL "https://centrumcarolina.cuni.cz/CCENG-62. From the very first moment, the management of Charles University, as well as the managemen of Arts of Charles University, in cooperation with the security forces, dealt with the sit framework of a quickly established crisis staff. It also recommended cancelling all univer Friday (December 22, 2023), including classes, for reasons of commemoration. A commemorati set up at the Carolinum (Ovocný trh 3, Prague) by the fountain, a typical meeting place fo staff. People began lighting candles there on Thursday night. The Charles University Foundation has also announced a collection to support the families teachers, and students affected by the shooting at the Faculty of Arts of Charles Universi donate HERE. [ URL "https://nf.cuni.cz/NFNEN-14.html"] The level of violence that took place today at Charles University is absolutely uncharted shocking for our academic community and for the Czech Republic. Let us, therefore, stand t difficult moments. We ask everyone to try to remain calm and composed, and we again expres to all those whose hearts have been broken by the loss of loved ones. We are with you all at this difficult time, and thank you very much for your support so fa future. On behalf of the entire administration of Charles University and the Faculty of Arts of Ch Milena Králíčková, Rector of Charles University Eva Lehečková, Dean of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University (Prague, December 21, 2023, 23.00; updated 22. 12. 10.00) Statement of Charles University on the shooting at the Faculty of Arts of Charles Universi 18.10) Today in the afternoon, a completely unprecedented situation occurred at Charles Universit Faculty of Arts, where not only injuries but also casualties occurred. The management of t together with the management of the Faculty of Arts in cooperation with the security force dealing with the situation since the first moments, and the crisis staff of the University Among other things, the CU management strongly and with immediate effect recommended tight measures in university buildings and at the same time cancelling today's evening and tomor with an expected attendance of more than 20 people, and called for an adequate and sensiti tomorrow's possible exams or credit examinations. There are and will be networks of contacts for HELP lines (psychological help) [ URL "http centrumcarolina.cuni.cz/CCENG-33.html"] , e.g. a crisis chat is currently running where su from trained psychologists - crisis interventionists and crisis and psychological support "https://centrumcarolina.cuni.cz/CCENG-62.html"] . We mourn the loss of life of members of our university community, express our deepest cond the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy. We now ask everyone to try to remain calm and composed, and we again extend our condolence whose hearts have been broken by the loss of loved ones. Further information will follow shortly in view of the constantly evolving situation. Charles University Management (Prague, December 21, 2023, 18..10)