Václav Havel
1936-2011
Charter 77 Dissident, Human Rights Activist,
and former President of the Czech Republic
Vaclav Havel – freedom fighter, dissident, Charter 77 author, human rights activist, and former President of the Czech Republic – died today after a long illness. Initiatives for China wishes to extend its respects to the people of the Czech Republic in sympathy for their loss.
A recognized leader for the world cause of democracy and peace, Havel became a symbol of the global movement against communist dictatorship that was sweeping across Eastern Europe and the rest of the world in the 1980s. His role in the 1989 Velvet Revolution against the communist government in Czechoslovakia landed him the Presidency after the Communist regime fell. His Charter 77, a testament to the values of democracy and freedom in government, was a role model for other nations and provided the inspiration for the Chinese Charter 08. His books have become a source of encouragement, wisdom, and practical action for Chinese dissidents and defenders of human rights all over the world. His spirit will continue to inspire activists and citizens everywhere to fight for the values of human dignity and human rights wherever they are denied.
Initiatives for China was privileged to attend the recent Forum 2000 in Prague at the invitation of President Havel. Although he became too ill to attend, Mr. Havel sent Forum participants a letter in which he expressed his concerns that human rights and spiritual values were taking a back seat to the impetus of economic development and material interests. He challenged those of us in the international community to ‘keep an eye on what is happening’ in China and anywhere else that human rights are being abused, and to use every conceivable occasion to express our support for advocates and dissidents in those countries.
“I still vividly remember when we had communist totalitarian regime here and we were trying to stand up to it. We felt very intensely how important aid from abroad was for us, as well as the support and solidarity of people from various corners of the world who took interest in our activities. It was a great encouragement when we saw that there are many people -often from very far away – who feel a similar responsibility for the world as we felt. We have been attempting now, for more than twenty years already, to return that solidarity that we received and to express support to all those who are fighting for human rights and basic freedoms in Asia and elsewhere. For people like Liu Xiabo and others like him all over the world.”
These words of December 10, 2011 (Intl Human Rights Day) just days before his death were most likely his last public statement. It is somehow fitting that his passing occurred during the Christmas season – a time of waiting, of hope, of spiritual renewal, of faith and an absolute belief in the power of the eternal human spirit to overcome evil in whatever form it may take. God be with you, our friend, on your next journey to a more glorious Freedom.
Links:
Letter from Mr. Václav Havel a week before his death
Letter of Condolence from Initiatives for China