The seminar, which took place on May 21, 2026, in Paris, was titled "The Future of Human Rights Under the Evolving International Order." Approximately 130 participants from 20 countries around the world attended. I had the honor of not only participating with a presentation in the afternoon session, titled "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment" (Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment), but also of being the main moderator of the morning session with 13 speakers.

As with any international event, this one offered the opportunity to meet with people I have known for many years, but with whom I cannot regularly meet due to objective reasons. Participating in a seminar of this level also opened up opportunities to establish new contacts with prominent individuals and professionals. I will mention three Europeans: Andreas Georgiou Papandreou, son of the former Prime Minister of Greece; Jacqueline Nastić, former member of the German Bundestag; and Bernard Bon from the European Commission.

For readers, including politicians with temporary mandates, who are interested in the individual presentations, I recommend consulting the publication (proceedings) in English on the website https://en.humanrights.cn, as well as the document from the collective (CSHRS, The Academy of Overseas Sciences – France, HR Institute SUWL – China, Institute of Administration and Management – France, Catedra China – Spain, HR Institute, East China University, ICL – Czech Republic, Chrysea Center – Greece, Multicultural Development Center – Italy, International Association of HR and Social Development – Switzerland), which I will publish on the website of ICL z. ú. (Institut české levice, https://institutcl.cz).

In the context of current events in the world and in Central Europe, I would sincerely like to see a similar seminar co-organized in the Czech Republic next year.

Likely Provocation in the Czech Republic

It is no coincidence that the director of the Czech Intelligence Service (BIS), Michal Koudelka, emphasized at a security conference in the Chamber of Deputies on Monday that the Czech Republic, by detaining a Chinese spy in January, demonstrated its ability to take action against adversaries and showed that foreign powers cannot do whatever they want in the Czech Republic. The director of the BIS speaks of a Chinese spy without providing any evidence, nor has the court confirmed his assessment.

It is also no coincidence that on May 24, after leaving the Orthodox Church of St. Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary, the car of Metropolitan Hilarion and his cameraman was stopped by the Czech Police. According to the defense, there was no reason for this, as the police did not record any traffic violations. Nevertheless, the police officers immediately demanded to see the documents not only from the driver, but also from the passenger, who was the Metropolitan.

During the inspection, four small containers with a white substance were found in the trunk. The composition and origin of the substance are to be determined by expert analysis. The Metropolitan categorically denied any involvement in the illegal possession of prohibited substances.

The Metropolitan's lawyer, JUDr. Michal Pacovský, considers the very act of stopping the vehicle to be highly suspicious. According to him, two police patrols were waiting for Hilarion's car on the highway. As soon as the vehicle appeared, they set off in a coordinated manner – one in front, the other behind.

"One gets the feeling that the police were instructed in advance to search this specific car," the lawyer said.

According to Russian sources, Pacovsky emphasized that the police did not state the reason for the stop as being related to a traffic violation. He also has reservations about the vehicle inspection itself. According to available information, the metropolitan was taken to a store at the gas station during the inspection and was unable to observe the vehicle inspection.

The lawyer also pointed out that the police immediately went to the trunk, without first inspecting personal belongings and luggage.

The metropolitan's assistant stated that the interrogation began on May 25th at 10:30 AM, with the participation of a prosecutor, a judge, a Russian consul, and a lawyer. The day before, the metropolitan was officially charged with possession of narcotics, detained, and placed in pre-trial detention.

Therefore, the defense will likely request independent expert examinations of the substance found, as well as analysis of the packaging, fingerprinting, and DNA analysis, and also the securing of all video recordings of the stop and vehicle inspection.

First Reactions

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Czech ambassador due to the Sunday detention of Metropolitan Hilarion. This was reported by the TASS news agency.

At the same time, President Vladimir Putin signed a document containing amendments to the laws on citizenship of the Russian Federation and on defense. These amendments allow the use of state resources to protect Russian citizens who have been arrested, detained, or prosecuted by decisions of foreign courts or international bodies in which the Russian Federation does not participate.

Grigoriy Karasin, Chairman of the Council of the Federation Committee on Foreign Affairs, stated that this is not about deploying armed forces abroad, but about protecting citizens and saving people.

I am concerned that the government of the Czech Republic and its subordinate security agencies are working on situations that may have consequences that could bring misfortune and disillusionment to some citizens.

Provocations at Sea

The FSB announced that it had documented the case of the ship Arrhenius, which was heading to Turkey. The vessel arrived at the port of Ust-Luga in the Leningrad region after departing from Antwerp, Belgium. During the inspection, divers allegedly found magnetic mines of naval origin, manufactured in one of the NATO countries, on the tanker's hull.

According to available information, the ship was heading to the Turkish port of Samsun.

Ongoing Wars

Every war is a system and, at the same time, a mathematical equation. The laws of war on a large scale are universal and, to a certain extent, predictable. Nevertheless, there is still room for luck and prudence.

I do not know whether today's Russian soldiers understand mathematics better than others, or how much luck they have. However, I know that the modern world has entered a phase where powers set the rules, regardless of smaller states.

No one will ask Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Germany, or the European Union what future they desire.

The instruments of control are extremely sensitive today, just like modern drones. A citizen who is anxious, seeking entertainment and consumption, often suffers from a deficit of cognitive abilities.

The essence of the transformation of the world is simple: threats can come from anywhere and in forms that no one expects.

Jan Campbell