Havel: Neo-fascism threatens in post-communist world

[bos1]

http://romea.cz/english/index.php?id=servis/z_en_2006_0166

A new phenomenon, Neo-fascism or creeping fascism, threatens in the post-communist world, ex-president Vaclav Havel said today, adding he realised this in connection with the police´s probably inappropriate crack down on a woman protesting against a Neo-nazi demonstration on May 1.

During the demonstration, a police officer intervened against Katerina Jacques, the Government Office human rights section head and the Green Party´s election candidate, who was among the protesters opposed to the demonstration.

Havel condemned the police attack. However, he also said that Czech politicians with their statements often enhance the atmosphere favourable to the development of Neo-nazism.

snip

As examples of such controversial statements, Havel gave those about the wartime concentration camp for Romanies in Lety, south Bohemia, about the use of cage beds in psychiatric hospitals and about homosexuals´ rights. "For example, when they say that the little concentration camp of ours was not as bad as the foreign ones, that it is not up to foreigners to determine whether our disabled patients should be kept in cages, and when they make it clear that it is inappropriate for a sexually differently oriented minority to push for its interests," Havel said.

[TomClash]

1. Remind you of someone somewhere?

:shrug:

[rodeodance]

2. I do believe we, including the US are slowing moving to police states.

[rodeodance]

3. "Similar words hide a patriotic ideal of ethnic purity,"

Similar words hide a patriotic ideal of ethnic purity, which is very dangerous, Havel added.

He said that Neo-nazi movements do exist in the Czech Republic, are organised and have their own media.

"It has seemed for a long time that the police have been more indulgent towards them than to the young enthusiasts with flying hair, who protest against it ," Havel said, adding that this arouses certain concern.

Politicians should point to these developments and warn against them. "It may start quite inconspicuously, but may have far reaching consequences," Havel said.

Jacques, along with several colleagues from the Green Party, was protesting against a demonstration of Neo-nazis in Prague on May 1, when, she says, a police officer attacked her and beat up without any reason.

The Interior Minister´s inspection has proposed that the officer involved be punished. PM Jiri Paroubek said he expects personnel changes to be made and he initiated a postponement of the planned promotion of Police President Vladislav Husak from the rank of colonel to general.

[AX10]

4. kick