Limiting the Right to Freedom of Movement As One of the Instruments of Power in Czechoslovakia in the 20th Century – “Behind Closed Borders – Restrictions in 1945–1989 Czechoslovakia”

The current article is dedicated to the subject of restrictions on the freedom of movement of citizens during the latter half of the past century as a result of the totalitarian communist regime. Unlike the usual purpose of borders, which is to protect the population from the enemy, in this case, the function of borders is different, namely, to prevent the population from leaving the state territory. This restriction on freedom of movement was a key tactic in maintaining control over the population, stifling opposition, and enforcing ideological conformity. The article summarizes the ways how these restrictions were legally addressed in constitutional, administrative and criminal law.