Freedom House Mourns the Death of Czech Leader, Human Rights Defender Vaclav Havel
Freedom House mourns the loss of former Czech president and dissident leader Vaclav Havel, an unwavering advocate for human rights and democracy. Freedom House was fortunate to have worked closely with Havel over the years. He served as Co-Chair of Freedom House’s American Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program in the mid-1990’s and was honored with its distinguished Freedom Award in 1991 for his role in orchestrating the Velvet Revolution.”
Although in ill health, Havel also participated in the 2010 Human Rights Summit, hosted by Freedom House and other leading human rights organizations in Washington, DC. You can view his presentation here.
An internationally recognized proponent for democracy, Havel was nominated on several occasions for the Nobel Peace Prize and was a recipient of the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom. While serving in the military in the 1950’s, Havel began writing plays depicting his disdain for communism and life under the regime. After the 1968 Prague Spring was crushed, Havel’s plays were banned, he was charged with participating in “anti-state activities” and jailed; however he continued to voice his opposition. He organized a movement amongst writers, actors and intellectuals against communism and orchestrated the signing of Charter 77, calling for the adherence of basic human rights. Havel led the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which brought the collapse of communism in Czechoslovakia. He served as president of Czechoslovakia from 1989 to 1992 and, after the country split, of the Czech Republic from 1993 to 2003, ensuring a stable democratic transition. Vaclav Havel was among the greatest human right heroes of the 20th Century. His voice for freedom around the world will be greatly missed.
Although in ill health, Havel also participated in the 2010 Human Rights Summit, hosted by Freedom House and other leading human rights organizations in Washington, DC. You can view his presentation here.
An internationally recognized proponent for democracy, Havel was nominated on several occasions for the Nobel Peace Prize and was a recipient of the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom. While serving in the military in the 1950’s, Havel began writing plays depicting his disdain for communism and life under the regime. After the 1968 Prague Spring was crushed, Havel’s plays were banned, he was charged with participating in “anti-state activities” and jailed; however he continued to voice his opposition. He organized a movement amongst writers, actors and intellectuals against communism and orchestrated the signing of Charter 77, calling for the adherence of basic human rights. Havel led the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which brought the collapse of communism in Czechoslovakia. He served as president of Czechoslovakia from 1989 to 1992 and, after the country split, of the Czech Republic from 1993 to 2003, ensuring a stable democratic transition. Vaclav Havel was among the greatest human right heroes of the 20th Century. His voice for freedom around the world will be greatly missed.
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