Meeting Dissidents as a Democracy Support Tool: From van der Stoel and Patočka to Cuba, Belarus and the Dalai Lama

Monday, October 10, 2011, 14.30–16.00, Hotel InterContinental

 

Marek Svoboda, Director, Human Rights and Democracy Department, People in Need, Czech Republic 

 

Frans Timmermans, Politician, Diplomat, The Netherlands

Ales Michalevic, Politician, Former Presidential Candidate, Belarus

Jiřina Šiklová, Sociologist, Czech Republic

Ivan Chvatík, Director, Jan Patočka Archive, Czech Republic 

Vladimír Galuška, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic

 

 

In March 1977, Max van der Stoel visited Jan Patočka, one of the spokesmen for Charter 77. It began a movement of foreign diplomats showing support to dissidents. The panel discussed the implications. The moderator, Marek Svoboda, one of the directors at the Czech branch of People in Need, opened by asking two key questions: How can these visits be used as a tool and put in the hands of diplomats? What are the risks involved?

 

Jiřina Šiklová spoke of her experiences with Jan Patočka. The heritage he left behind set the precedent to help other countries with similar problems to what Czechoslovakia faced 20 years ago. Ivan Chvatík, founder of the Jan Patočka Archive of the Czech Republic, however, warned that with increased attention comes increased risk. Patočka was interrogated by the police and died 13 days later.

 

Ales Michalevic, politician and former candidate for the presidency of Belarus, was jailed by the regime and was only allowed to expose the practices of the KGB through the support, via calls and visits, of foreign diplomats. “It was because of huge and direct international support,” he said. Frans Timmermans, politician and diplomat spoke of the economic repercussions incurred by the Netherlands when it condemned China for human rights violations. He called for the EU to be “bolder on that policy.”

 

Vladimír Galuška, deputy minister of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, furthered that point by saying that a diplomat who makes such a visit is “taking partial responsibility,” and that he and his country must maintain consistent support if they want to make a difference. All panelists agreed that the risks outweighs the benefits. However, the pervading cynicism about human rights also stems from a higher visibility. “Since this world is so globalized and everything is so visible, people tend to be disappointed by the results,” said Mr. Galuška.