Jan 6, 2012

Truth and Love Must Prevail - Honoring Vaclav Havel

Rebiya Kadeer
January 6, 2012
Washington, D.C.

Together with Uyghurs around the world, I was deeply saddened by the passing of Vaclav Havel, who was at once a president and a playwright, an inspiring human rights fighter and a humble representative of the Czech people. I would like to express my deepest condolences to Mr. Havel’s family, to Czech people and to all who had the pleasure of knowing and admiring him. He lived his life as a testament to basic human values, and refused to compromise his commitment to truth, respect and tolerance.

I was honored to meet and speak with President Vaclav Havel in 2007 in Prague, during a visit by then-President George W. Bush. I was impressed by his warm personality and the humility he displayed, despite being the leader of a peaceful revolution that brought down communism in his country. I was fortunate enough to meet with Mr. Havel again in 2009, together with the symbol of the peace His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Mr. Havel understood very well the realities of living under a totalitarian regime, and was a steadfast supporter of people still living under oppressive dictatorships. He expressed solidarity with Uyghurs, Tibetans, Chinese, Burmese, Cuban and others who have been striving for peace democracy and freedom from tyrannical regimes. His literary representations of the absurd and ridiculous experiences of life under communism resonate strongly with Uyghurs and others living under Chinese state repression.

As a former political prisoner, Mr. Havel showed compassion and support for others who found themselves jailed in the darkest corners of the world. He understood the courage required to speak out in the face of a morally bankrupt government, and the strength needed to summon one’s dignity in the face of a state determined to strip away all humanity.

When I met with Mr. Havel, he urged me never to give up the fight for justice, even in the darkest hours of Chinese government repression. Mr. Havel not only understood our ongoing plight in China, but also saw through the propaganda of all totalitarian states. Mr. Havel’s handling of the post-Communist era is a model of leadership for all those people who will eventually overcome their repressive regimes.

Mr. Havel once famously said that “Truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred.” These words, and his work as an ambassador of conscience, will live on and continue to inspire me and others long after his death.